Intimate relationships can be complicated to navigate. Sometimes even with our best intention and effort, they fall into unpleasant cycles. A professional can assist both parties to gain new perspectives, develop effective communication skills, and break free from past relationship patterns.

亲密关系并非总是一帆风顺。有时我们竭尽所能，却无法打开心结，专业的咨询师可以帮助伴侣双方从不同的角度看问题，掌握更有效的沟通技巧，从过去的关系模式中跳脱出来。

Counseling can occur at various stages of an intimate relationship, each of which serving different purposes. I list below

伴侣在亲密关系发展中的任何阶段都可以参与咨询，每个阶段有不同的目标。

Pre-commitment Counseling 承诺前咨询

Pre-commitment counseling is designed for when we are ready to join together as life partners. It usually consists of 8-16 sessions with both partners to discuss expectations for roles and responsibilities, clarify topics that might have been avoided such as money and sex, and develop healthier communication skills and conflict resolution strategies. This is a preventative approach that suits all partners at any stage of dating.

承诺前咨询适用于伴侣双方决定从此共同生活前，以稳固亲密关系的基础。承诺前咨询通常包括8次或以上会面，讨论对于彼此在关系中的角色和责任的期待，澄清此前可能难以启齿的话题比如财产和性生活，以及掌握更健康有效的沟通方式及冲突解决策略。这是对于稳定亲密关系的保护性咨询，适用于任何交往阶段的伴侣。

Couple Counseling 伴侣咨询

As much as we love and care for someone, things can go awry in intimate relationships. This can be communication issues, intimacy issues, family of origin, among others. Couple counseling is for any pair of partner who wants to improve the quality of their relationship. Please note that the outcome of couple counseling is not always “living happily ever after;” it is possible that through counseling, couples decide not to move forward in their relationships.

有时虽然伴侣双方互相关爱，但亲密关系中依然可能陷入僵局。原因可能是沟通问题，亲密问题，原生家庭问题，等等。伴侣咨询就是为了帮助完善亲密关系。需要注意的是伴侣咨询的结果未必一定是“从此幸福地生活在一起“；双方可能决定这段关系在此时此刻需要告一段落。

Divorce Mediation 离婚调解

Despite our best effort, some marriages come to an end. The divorce process can be painful for both parties, especially when there are children involved. Divorce mediation is designed to help validate the pain of the ending and facilitate the conversations to settle on the divorce agreement. This can be done by a divorce attorney trained in mediation or by a professional in collaboration with a divorce attorney.

尽管竭尽所能，有些婚姻终究步入末路。离婚对双方都可能是非常痛苦的过程，有孩子的家庭更是如此。离婚调解便用于认可双方内心避不可免的痛苦，并促进沟通，达成协议。离婚调解可以有经过培训的离婚律师来提供，也可以由专业的咨询师和离婚律师合作来完成。