Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. — I Corinthians 13:4-7
Marital Therapy
Much of what Jan and I write about, and what we teach in our workshops, comes out of the experiences and realities of working with individual couples in my office to help them sort out the issues that threaten their relationship. My primary work is as a psychologist, and about 80% of my caseload is working with married couples at all stages of crisis. This is by choice, for over the years, not only have I enjoyed the interaction of working with couples, but have been effective in helping most couples restore to their relationship the meaning and hopes for their marriage that they had when they first married.
My approach to marital therapy is to meet first for a one or two hour initial consultation, and then meet weekly for a 45-minute session. At some point, the frequency of the meetings is reduced to every other week, and then the couple is on their own. I often have follow-up visits with couples at a later date to help them get unstuck in some new areas of their relationship. Much like the recommendation to have annual checkups for our physical health, I believe couples should have periodic checkups on the health of the marriage.
My office is in Newport Beach, California, about 5 minutes from the John Wayne Airport. The address is 1300 Bristol Street North, Suite 100, Newport Beach, CA 92660. My voice mail is 949-463-0607. The cost for this approach to marital therapy is $180.00 per 45 minute session.
Marriage Intensives
Dr. Stoop has been meeting with couples for either a 3 day or 4 day counseling intensive. We meet for either 3 or 4 hours each day, usually in the morning. The rest of the day is free so that insights, more questions, and conversations can take place. It also gives time for the couple to assimilate what went on in the morning session. Couples stay at one of the many local hotels, and enjoy Southern California at the same time. Dr. Stoop’s office is located five minutes away from the John Wayne Airport. It is amazing to see how the 12 hours can accomplish what would probably take a year to achieve in weekly counseling sessions. Instead of feeling the pressure to “get to it” in a 45 or 50 minute counseling hour, the issues emerge almost naturally as there is time for the couple and the counselor to “let it happen.” Cost for two 1/2 Days is $1600, three 1/2 Days is $2400. For more information, or to set an appointment, call Dr. Stoop at 949-463-0607.