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Marriage and Couples Therapist
Albany, California
About Dr. LaDouceur
M.A. Clinical Psychology, Ph.D. Sociology
Relationships can be a challenge. I know. When my children were in 5th grade, I learned that one out of four of their classmates lived in families that were divorcing or already divorced. It doesn't have to be that way. With support and an understanding of what really works in relationships, many of those families would have stayed together. I've learned from my own marriage, my clinical experience, and the latest research on relationships that couples can not only improve their relationships, but find the closeness and warmth they dream about. As a marriage and relationship therapist, I am passionate about working with people who want to do just that. I bring more than 20 years of experience in counseling, clinical supervision, anger management, and teaching people how to solve relationship conflicts and communicate effectively.
Marriage and Couples Therapist Training
I use Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Gottman Method Couples Therapy, the only two approaches to marriage counseling backed by decades of research and proven to be effective. I use EFT to help you understand the "dance" you get caught in when things aren't working. Then I help you find ways to express your needs and desires in ways that get you the trust and closeness you want. From a Gottman Method perspective, I help couples make small changes that make a big positive difference in how you handle conflict and how you talk about your needs and wishes. I also help each person look at how to balance taking care of oneself and giving to one's partner.
I am committed to staying on top of the latest research about what helps couples improve their relationships. This means that we "do what works." You learn the skills that help you support each other through fun and difficult times, and find more warmth and passion.
Counseling Background
In addition to my relationship therapy private practice, I have worked for twenty years at a community based counseling and substance abuse treatment agency. There I provided counseling, anger management, Clinical Supervision, training for counselors; evaluated the effectiveness of counseling programs, and provided workshops. Through this work, I gained enormous respect four couples and individuals of all ages, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, religious and spiritual persuasions, and walks of life.
Every couples and marriage therapist has her own focus and style. My focus is to help change the cycle of interaction that gets you stuck. I provide a sound structure for our couple therapy sessions, while leaving plenty of room for the feelings and concerns you want to talk about. I am active when I need to be, and can interrupt an argument that isn't going anywhere to try something new. I can also listen for the feelings underneath your frustration, and help draw them into the open so that your partner can hear them too. This helps you create new ways to connect with your partner and feel appreciated. I am energetic, determined, and believe strongly in people's ability to create warm and loving relationships.
License, Advanced Training, and Education
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA #24003)
- Advanced Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Advanced Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Graduate of the Psychotherapy Institute Post-Master's Degree 2-year Training Program
- Certificate in Strategic Hypnotherapy, Institute for Educational Therapy, Berkeley CA
- Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, John F. Kennedy University
- Doctorate in Sociology, University of Oregon
Professional Memberships
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
- National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists
- Open Path (infertility and adoption)
- International Center for Excellence of Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
- Psychotherapy Institute of Berkeley (TPI)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA #24003)
Personal Information
In my sixteen years of marriage, I have weathered periods of extended illness, infertility, and parenting, so I know personally and professionally what it takes to make a great relationship -- humor, compassion for yourself and your partner, a willingness to forgive, and a commitment to take the time you need to build the relationship you want.
Call or email for a complimentary phone consultation to see of couples counseling would be a fit for you!