What We Do

If infidelity has disrupted your relationship, causing confusion, anger, and uncertainty, you've arrived at the right place. Such reactions are completely natural and to be expected.

Derek, with his extensive experience and training, stands ready to guide your relationship through the recovery process after such a life-altering event. He has helped many couples not only heal from deep-seated betrayal, but also to flourish and grow even closer than they were pre-infidelity. He firmly believes in the potential for hope and restoration in your relationship.

Many well-intentioned therapists often address the underlying relationship issues first, sidestepping the infidelity itself.

Though infidelity indeed indicates an overall relationship unhealthiness, Derek’s approach begins directly with the event of infidelity. Acknowledging that each partner may be in entirely different emotional spaces, Derek skillfully guides you through the stages of the Affair Recovery Process. This usually includes :

1) Establishing a Safe Space
2) Understanding the Affair
3) Addressing Emotional Impact
4) Rebuilding Trust
5) Improving Communication
6) Addressing Underlying Relationship Issues
7) Developing a New Relationship Vision
8) Preventing Relapse

Once you have navigated the Affair Recovery Process, Derek will assist you in identifying and repair the underlying issues that initially contributed to the deterioration of the relationship. This second vital stage of therapy aims to fortify your relationship against future infidelity, with the goal of creating an “Affair-Proof” relationship.

When you hear ‘ADHD,’ do you get a mental image of a young boy who is unable to sit still at his desk in the classroom? Many of us have associated this disorder with primarily hyperactive behavior. The truth is that ADHD is far more complex than a tendency to fidget, and it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed in women as Anxiety or Depression due to a difference in presentation between males and females.

In fact, Caralyne was misdiagnosed for years before finding the courage to self-advocate and seek out the accurate diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood. These experiences, paired with her education and expertise as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, give her a unique insider perspective on the disorder, its symptoms and its impacts.

Here are just a few common symptoms that often present in women specifically:

Difficulty regulating emotion
Distractibility
Hyper-focus on topics of interest
Frequently losing items such as keys, wallet, or phone
Disorganization
Indecision
Poor short-term & working memory
Difficulty managing impulses
Feeling overwhelmed
Poor time management
Sensory overload

If you’ve ever wondered if you may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (previously known as ADD), Caralyne would very much enjoy exploring your symptoms and life experiences with you to uncover the truth.

The term ‘codependency’ was originally coined to describe the experience of those whose lives were affected by someone with a chemical dependency, such as an alcohol addiction. Today, this term describes a broader set of tendencies or personality traits that can be found in any person, not exclusive to Alcoholics Anonymous.

You may tend toward codependent behaviors if the following statements resonate with you:

”I am always taking care of others.”
”I need to be needed.”
”I want to say no, but I feel like I can’t.”
”I don’t know who I am without my partner.”
”I’m not sure what I want or need.”
”I should…” and “I shouldn’t…”
”I’m sorry… Oops, sorry… So sorry!”
”Boundaries? What are those?”

Codependency, at its core, is an imbalance in responsibility-taking in relationships. This may look like being over-involved in other people’s business, or feeling guilty when you’re unable to help someone with even a small request. When we have healthy boundaries, we understand that it’s important to balance caring for others with allowing them the space to take responsibility for their own choices. We also recognize that it’s important sometimes to prioritize taking care of ourselves. If you’re struggling to find the balance, or struggling to truly take care of yourself because you’re so focused on others, let’s talk about codependency!

Are you wrestling with relationship challenges? Has the once joyful journey turned into an ongoing cycle of conflict? Or perhaps, your relationship has been fraught with tension from the beginning.

You're here because you are seeking help to bridge the divides in your relationship. Derek, a passionate couples therapist, is committed to aiding couples in rebuilding their relationships on a foundation of genuine partnership, empathy, honesty, and intentionality.

Derek helps you identify the destructive cycles that plague your relationship. Every couple can fall into a distinct pattern of unhealthiness. Upon identifying these issues, Derek helps you and your partner navigate towards breaking these patterns and entering a new cycle of peace and positivity.

This transformative process empowers couples to honor their emotions and those of their partners. Couples can reconnect with the love and happiness that initially brought them together. While repairing a strained relationship is undoubtedly a demanding task, Derek remains hopeful. His optimism stems from his success in helping couples that others have given up on.

If both you and your partner are ready for a change, your relationship holds endless possibilities. And even if your partner is not yet willing to join the therapy sessions, significant progress can still be made individually! Either Caralyne or Derek can work with you to unpack the intricacies of your relationship from your unique perspective.