Discover how starting couples therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
2 therapists available in Providence
I believe in the power of stories—the ones we are told and, most importantly, the ones we tell ourselves. Sometimes, we need a cha...
About
I believe in the power of stories—the ones we are told and, most importantly, the ones we tell ourselves. Sometimes, we need a change in perspective to understand ourselves better.
Rasheed Akinfolarin is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over 8 years of experience providing counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. Rasheed began his career in residential care, where he saw first-hand the impact mental health issues have on individuals and their families and the importance of having open and honest conversations regarding mental health and its impact on our lives. He has experience working with people who struggle with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and life transitions, among other issues.
Rasheed graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He has also received post-graduate training in trauma-informed care and multidimensional family therapy while working in residential and outpatient settings. Rasheed works to provide a strength-based and person-centered approach to support you in reaching your goals.
Rasheed's goal is to provide a welcoming and supportive environment where you can become better acquainted with your strengths and find alternative ways to face life's challenges. Rasheed would like to congratulate you on taking the first step in changing your story and defining the person you want to become. If you'd like to work together with Rasheed, reach out to schedule your first session today. "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." – Carl Rogers.
Education and training
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With over 20 years in human services and 4 years in clinical practice, I bring a deep understanding of the challenges individuals ...
With over 20 years in human services and 4 years in clinical practice, I bring a deep understanding of the challenges individuals face at different stages of life.
Melissa Clement is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with 4 years of experience specializing in supporting adults 18 and over, including veterans, who are navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and mood disorders. Melissa creates a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to make meaningful changes. Her compassionate, client-centered approach emphasizes empathy, authenticity, and collaboration as she walks alongside individuals on their healing journey.
Melissa earned a Master’s in Social Work from Springfield College. Her approach integrates solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and a strength-based lens to foster resilience. Melissa meets clients where they are, celebrates progress, and creates a supportive space for personal growth and lasting change.
Melissa understands how overwhelming life can feel and how difficult it is to take that first step toward healing. She meets every client with compassion and care, offering support through anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, or feeling stuck. Her goal is to provide a safe, affirming space where your experiences are valued and your voice matters.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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My go-to approach to helping people in couples/marriage counseling is EFT (emotion-focused therapy). I find the most benefit in using EFT because it gets to the root of the problem. I've learned that tools and techniques don't work as well as really getting to the root of feelings and exploring the communication cycles that couples get stuck in. There's almost always something from their childhoods or earlier lives that contributes to how they handle their own emotions and those of their partner.
I don't usually teach any tools in couples/marriage counseling other than reminding couples not to talk over each other and to focus on their own feelings by utilizing “I” statements rather than blaming language.
I know clients are making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when they can recognize their communication patterns and each make an effort to hear each other out more. Oftentimes, I can tell progress is being made when they are less defensive and don't feel the need to put walls up anymore, but rather want to better understand one another.
Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling by reading “Hold Me Tight” by Sue Johnson, the pioneer of EFT. This book was written for couples to better understand attachment and how it relates to our relationships as well as how to identify and change communication patterns.
To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling, couples can try to look at it as an opportunity to better understand their partner, rather than try to prove that they are right or try to “fix” the other person.
Thriveworks Couples therapy helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. It is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy include:
Couples therapy works by helping couples identify and better navigate their unique challenges. Following an initial assessment of the couple in terms of strengths and needs, the therapist would then discuss their therapeutic goals and any possible approaches or ways of working together as therapist and couple.Couples attend sessions together, whether they meet in person or by video. In addition to regular couples therapy sessions, each partner may also be asked to attend a few individual sessions to supplement their progress. This will allow their counselor to get to know each individual better, assess each of their personal needs, and develop the very best treatment plan moving forward.
Couples therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.
On average, couples attend couples therapy for 12 weeks. However, couples therapy may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.
Is there a rift between you and your partner? Is stress at home sapping your happiness? These matters aren’t uncommon in relationships, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to deal with.
If you’d like to pursue couples therapy or marriage counseling, you’re in the right place. Thriveworks Counseling in Providence, RI has a team of dedicated relationship counselors who can lead you and your partner in the right direction, based on your specific needs and goals for your relationship. Reach out today for help.
Of course, you and your partner aren’t going to see eye to eye all the time. It’s normal for even the happiest of couples to have disagreements every now and then. Common challenges can include, but aren’t limited to:
Of course, while similar themes emerge in couples counseling, every couple is different. A Providence couples counselor at Thriveworks can recognize this and work to address your specific relationship issues.
As we’ve already stated, every couple has unique challenges and needs that need to be considered. The marriage counselors and couples therapists at Thriveworks in Providence, RI know this well. This is exactly why they work to know the couple and their relationship before making any major decisions regarding treatment.
Once the therapist better understands their clients and how each partner feels, they can design a plan for treatment, which might involve therapeutic techniques from:
Some couples hesitate to see a couples therapist or marriage counselor because in the past they have been able to solve problems themselves. Others might not think it’s necessary for one issue when their relationship is otherwise great.
But why stay stuck? Or why wait until one matter can make an otherwise great partnership feel terrible? Deciding to pursue couples therapy or seek marriage counseling can strengthen your bond and give you effective tools for resolving issues or miscommunication.
Most couples that try therapy state afterward that they feel better equipped to handle any problems that occur in the future.
Contact a couples therapist at Thriveworks in Providence today and we can facilitate a respectful environment and guidance to help you and your spouse or partner with what’s really troubling you. We offer evening and weekend sessions, online counseling opportunities, and more to make the couples counseling experience that much better. Reach out today to get started.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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