Your relationships are so important, but you’re struggling to make things work.
You want a better relationship, less fighting, more loving, better communication.
The good news is that’s exactly what I do!
I believe that relationships, connecting with the people most important to us, is what brings meaning to our lives.
I’m Denise Fitzpatrick, a licensed mental health counselor, who helps individuals and couples improve communication, deepen connection and create better relationships.
It may sound corny but I’ve always known I wanted to be a therapist….it was even in my high school yearbook.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social rehab in 1990 I knew I needed to go back to school for my master’s degree so I could practice as a therapist. The years that followed graduation were filled with ups and downs and my share of relationship struggles. A number of failed relationships left me filled with anxiety and sadness.
These struggles were causing me a great deal of pain. There were times when I didn’t think things would ever get better. I knew I couldn’t possibly help others until I helped myself resolve my own personal struggles.
With the support of my own therapy I did just that! I learned to love myself more, honor instead of judge my wants and needs, quiet the critical voice in my head, not personalize other’s behavior, and much more….all of which helped to improve the quality of my life and relationships.
This experience transformed my life. To this day I still reflect on those days and use what I learned from therapy in my own work as a therapist.
Lessons I’ve learned along this journey:
- Relationships don’t sustain or grow by themselves….They require care, effort and attention!
- Nobody’s relationship is perfect
- Don’t compare your relationship to anyone else’s
- It may look perfect from the outside but you never know what goes on in other people’s relationship
- Self-care is not selfish
- What you focus on is what you see
- Differences are a normal part of every relationship
- Being vulnerable does not mean you are weak
- Don’t judge your thoughts….they are just thoughts
- Needing something from your partner is ok
- Loving yourself is so important to a successful relationship with others.
- Learn to love yourself don’t depend on others to fill that void
For those interested, here are my credentials:
Bachelor’s degree, Social Rehabilitation: Assumption College,
Master’s of Education, Mental Health Counseling: University of Massachusetts
Massachusetts Licensed Mental Health Counselor, #5523
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Externship
Developmental Model of Couples Therapy, The Couples Institute
Gottman’s Level I Training
Member of Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association