Human beings are relational creatures and relationships are a fundamental element of our existence. How we are in relationship to ourselves, to others and the world influences our ability to feel safe, regulate, feel connected and share in mutual care and support (interdependence), express our needs and desires, resolve conflict, share intimacy, feel connected, and express our sexual identity — all of which are critical to our overall well-being — mental, emotional, physical, and creative health affects our ability to flow in the river of life.

Whether it’s with work colleagues, a spouse, children, or other social relationships, difficulties in managing relationships can result in anxiety, depression, limitations in success at work, and physical illness.

Transitions in relationships can also be difficult to navigate — whether it’s children leaving the nest and reinventing your marriage, navigating the end of a relationship or transforming a romantic relationship into one of coparenting — therapy/coaching can help support the process of processing the loss and grief, and moving into learning, growing, and figuring out what’s next.

Paths to Wellness offers therapy and coaching to improve relationships, improve connection and intimacy in your current relationship, help to find the relationship you desire, or navigate the ending of a relationship and the life transition that’s required in coparenting, unmingling assets, and everything else that goes along with endings.

Dr. Val holds a nonjudgmental stance in helping people find and joyfully express their own relationship style and sexuality. She helps to identify and revision negative and counter-productive relationship cycles into more successful exchanges of intimacy and closeness and uses difficult life experiences as an opportunity for learning and change. Moving past shame and blame, resentment, and other defensive responses, building on personal strengths while appreciating differences, and developing or improving skills in emotional expression, communication, assertiveness, and problem solving helps people have more joyful and rewarding relationships.

Call 650-332-4656 now to learn how you can resolve emotional triggers and old patterns and  improve all your relationships.