Empty Nest Couples Therapy
Baby Boomers are aging into an era of big choices that will mark the last decades of their lives. When they look across the dinner table at one face, not two, three or four, there is no avoiding the “it’s you and me kid… just the two of us.” But can we make it if we try?
This complex phase in marriage is layered with decades of shared history, decisions, accumulations both emotional, financial and physical, so much so that the sheer pondering of it all can trigger panic, flight or paralysis. Financial advisors in TV ads have this comforting approach to families… we can be your guardians, your guides, we can parent you throughout your lifetime. No mistakes will be made, we will make sure of that! Wow. Sign me on. Alas, every Coupledom has its own package of financial burdens and freedoms, location conflicts and generational responsibilities and, a fact that is often overlooked in those soothing ads, two separate personalities, distinct and different despite the shared bank accounts and babies. Two minds deep in their own skins and separate in their fears, wishes and histories as well.
How I work:
- My role is to assist the couple to share their dreams, unpack their fears, and assess their resources.
- To accomplish that complex task, I remain a neutral facilitator who invites both spouses to feel safe enough to express feelings, share history and allow me to problem solve with them both their options and the pathways that lead to a satisfying future together. Financial considerations are a big part of this journey as well as concerns regarding extended family, elderly parents and grandchildren. Added to the mix are personal passions, geographic preferences, passions and hobbies which make this task both challenging and stimulating.
- The empty nest phase of marriage is one of both liberation and loss. My role is to create an environment that allows the couple to work toward a mutually satisfying next phase of life.
