Individual Relationship Therapy in Venice Beach

You’re just so tired of being wrong.

You are determined to make it work this time. Your last relationship ended badly; there’s no way you want to go through that again! You were sure it was going to be different this time, but it’s starting to feel familiar…

You have to fight to get your partner’s attention, and then when you do, it’s because you are “so needy”. Is it wrong to think your partner should want to spend time with you? Why can’t you communicate better so your partner understands?

Deep down you’re not even sure that they are actually The One. But the last thing you want to do is be back on the dating apps from Hell. And what if there’s nobody better out there? What if you break up and just end up alone, scrolling through the pics of them on Insta having so much fun without you?

Relationships tend to be the place where all our anxiety, all our insecurity, all our automatic (but not-so-wonderful) ways of behaving show up and bite us in the ass. This means that relationships can be a wonderful crucible for personal growth. And I use the word “crucible” for a reason. It’s. not. easy.

COVID-19 UPDATE: My name is Amy McManus, and I’ve been offering online therapy to individuals and couples for years! Click here to learn all about just how easy it is to do therapy from your home while you shelter in place!

If you have been struggling in your relationship, I can help you uncover your unhealthy relationship patterns and find ways to be who you want to be, so that your partner can join you in the healthy, loving, supportive relationship you want and deserve.

Here are some of the relationship issues I hear about the most:

• I’m frustrated and angry, no matter how many times I tell him something, he never listens. I have to throw a fit to be heard!

• I don’t feel like I have a voice in this relationship. I don’t even know what my voice is anymore. I’m disappearing and it freaks me out.

• I feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells, afraid that what I do will piss her off. I’m starting to tell little white lies just to keep the peace.

• Every time my phone signals me that they’ve sent a text, my heart sinks with dread. What did I do wrong now?

Can I Work on My Relationship Issues All By Myself?

People often ask me if they can single-handedly change their relationship with the work they do in individual therapy. The answer is a resounding “Yes!!” 

If one person changes the dance, everyone involved must adapt one way or another. I’ve seen this happen both in couples and in families. Many of my clients came back from visiting home for the holidays last year with stories of improved relationships with parents and siblings, as they used the communication techniques they learned here on their families at home.

After your very first therapy session you will have specific techniques that you can use right away to communicate better with your partner. My clients learn that the best communication isn’t just about being heard, or even understood, it’s about connection.

I will teach you ways to communicate with your partner that will make you feel heard and understood, and will help you build that deep connection that will make your partnership strong and rewarding.

What If I’m Afraid My Partner Is Going To Leave Me?

If you’re not sure about your partner’s level of commitment, now is a great time to see just how good this relationship can be. I’ve seen many clients become more and more secure in their relationship after working on their dynamic in individual therapy.

Maybe you’ve been waiting for your partner to say the “L” word, or the “M” word. You will feel so much reassurance when you have the deep connection that comes from learning to communicate in a way that is open and non-judgmental.

Why Do Our Fights Feel So Familiar?

If you are interested in learning more about why you keep having relationships with the same wrong guy, then I can help you understand the history behind those patterns, and how to break free from them.

When my clients start to unpack their personal history and understand the reasons they’ve had the relationships they’ve had, they experience self-compassion, and increased self-worth. It’s a journey that can be tough, but I will be right there with you. It’s not for everyone, but it can be some of the most rewarding part of therapy.

Sometimes, however, we understand why something is the way it is, without being able to change it. My clients often come to understand things quite clearly, but then are frustrated when their hearts don’t follow their minds. This is why I studied Attachment-Focused EMDR.

EMDR is a technique that was developed for severe trauma, but AF-EMDR is a bit different. AF-EMDR helps you process those life events that are stuck in your heart, even when your head knows better. AF-EMDR can address issues like emotional neglect, witnessing your parents fighting, medical trauma, or having grown up with an alcoholic parent. The kinds of things that affect your self image and how you show up in your relationships as an adult. It can be tremendously freeing to experience this process, and it reliably improves your relationship with yourself and others. Click here for more information on how I use AF-EMDR.

If this resonates with you, and you are interested in learning more about how to break free from unhealthy patterns and create a relationship that is supportive and loving, give me a call at 323-999-1537, email me at amy@thrivetherapyla.com, or click on the button below to go directly to my online calendar and make an appointment for a free consultation either on the phone or in my office.

I offer therapy both in my Los Angeles office, and online anywhere in California.

Is it 3:00am and you just want to nail this down right now? Skip the phone tag and schedule your first appointment or free consultation right now! You can also email me and I will respond within 24 hours—usually much sooner!