Joseli Alves-Dunkerson, Couples Therapy and Couples Intensives

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Joseli Alves-Dunkerson, LMFT, MBA, MPH
She/Her/Hers
Therapist and Owner
Attending residents from the states of Iowa, Washington State & Florida*
Email: Hello@RelationshipAndIntimacy.com

Joseli Alves-Dunkerson, LMFT, AASECT CST
Couples Therapist, Marriage Counselor
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
Divorce Discernment Counselor
ADHD & Couples
Couples Intensives Lead
Interfaith Spiritual Director

Schedule an Appointment with Joseli

Hello and welcome!

I help couples facing relationship challenges, from regular issues (communication, parenting, marriage preparation) to crisis situations (affairs, separation, divorce, disconnection, sexless marriages). My training is in couples counseling, couples intensives, marriage preparation, sex therapy, divorce discernment, and ADHD impact on relationships.

Weekly couples sessions can be a good option for couples that are facing regular issues, have time to attend sessions weekly and put the effort into doing the homework for several months so they can find resolution within a few months or years.

Couples Intensives work for professional couples who are facing chronic issues or crisis but have a busy work schedule, sometimes raising kids, and want a breakthrough fast (within 2-3 days). The decision is for the couple to make based on how quickly they want to address their issues.

I see clients in person (in Iowa) and online (in Iowa, Washington State, and Florida). Appointments are generally in the afternoons and evenings and on Saturday mornings. People from all backgrounds are honored and welcome!

I am also available for clinical supervision and professional peer consultation.

Here are some of the common issues I can help you with:

DISSATISFACTION: Are you feeling stuck in your relationship? Do you feel you have tried enough and now you need some new strategies?
DISCONNECTION: Do you feel disconnected, emotionally and/or physically, in your relationship?
COMMUNICATION / CONFLICT: Is conflict or distance a constant in your relationship? Do you feel the need to communicate better with your partner?
IMPACT OF ADHD on RELATIONSHIPS: Are you feeling forgotten by your partner even though you know they love you?
SEXUAL DESIRE: Do you and your partner have different levels of sexual desire? Do you feel insecure about yourself?
SEX AND BABY: Are you facing a change in your sexual life in preparing for the arrival of your baby, or after the baby arrived?
SEXUAL HEALTH: Do you have problems with sexual functioning?
SEXUAL TRAUMA: Do you have a history of sexual trauma that may be interfering with your wellbeing and/or relationships?
AGING AND SEX: Is aging (menopause, andropause) impacting your sexual life? Would you like to learn more about sex after 50?
AFFAIRS: Are you going through infidelity issues? Did you know that 50% of couples going through affair issues can recover and have a stronger and honest relationship?
SEPARATION and DIVORCE DISCERNMENT: Are you considering divorce but are not sure? Have you experienced divorce and want to prepare yourself for a new chapter in your life?
DATING: Are you single or divorce and trying to navigate the dating scene? Would you like to learn more about yourself and what you really need in a partner?
BREAK-UPS: Have you had a heartbreak and are having a tough time to grieve and overcome it?
SELF-LOVE: Do you feel shame or guilt for some of your past life experiences? Would you be interested in learning acceptance and self-compassion to open yourself to a new life?
PREP FOR MARRIAGE OR COHABITING: Are you preparing to live together or get married? Are you prepared for what lies ahead?
PURITY CULTURE: Do you want to learn more about your biology so that you can be prepared for your marital life?
SPIRITUALITY: Do you feel uncomfortable or conflicted when dealing with issues related to love, sex, and religion?

What to expect

Fees

My private fees are:
$250 for regular Couples Counseling (55 min)
$250 for Sex Therapy for Couples (55 min)
$250 for Marriage Preparation sessions (55 min); 5-6 sessions max
$300 for Divorce Discernment Counseling (55 min); 5-6 sessions max
$2,500-3,000 per day of Couples Intensive (7-8 h daily); usually 1-3 days

Insurance

I do not take insurance since most relationship and sexual topics are not covered. Other therapists in our Center do take BCBS insurance. Please look into our Therapists Page to learn more about them.

My Training

Masters in Psychology by Saybrook University (in-person training), Seattle Campus, WA
Certified Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
Trained in the Gottman, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Imago Approaches
Trained in Divorce Discernment
Certified Interfaith Spiritual Direction by Saint Placid’s Spirituality Center in Lacey, WA
Masters in Business Administration by the University of Iowa, IA
Masters in Public Health by the University of Iowa, IA

My professional associations

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
American Society of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR)
American Sexual Health Association (ASHA)

We are a comprehensive, sex-positive team of professionals who are here to support you!

Please visit our website for more information or schedule an appointment HERE. We look forward to meeting you!

Hello and welcome!

I help couples facing relationship challenges, such as poor communication, sexual issues, discovery of an affair, and discerning about separation or divorce. These couples in general “have it all”, having accomplished much in life, working a busy life schedule with work and family, sometimes raising kids, and wanting to make well-thought decisions. For that purpose, they seek clarity and purpose at the individual and relational levels, which takes some focused time away. I offer regular couples counseling sessions as well as couples intensives to help these couples get to where they want to be.

I offer couples counseling (sessions every 2 weeks for 12 months) and couples intensives (9 hours a day, for 2 days), depending on how quickly a couple wants to address their issues. I can help you find the space to renew a relationship or making difficult decisions.

I also offer Sex Therapy for couples facing physical intimacy issues and Divorce Discernment Counseling for couples unsure about the future of their relationship.

I am also available for clinical supervision and professional peer consultation.

Here are some of the common issues I can help you with:

DISSATISFACTION: Are you feeling stuck in your relationship? Do you feel you have tried enough and now you need some new strategies?
CONNECTION: Do you feel disconnected, emotionally and/or physically, in your relationship?
COMMUNICATION / CONFLICT: Is conflict or distance a constant in your relationship? Do you feel the need to communicate better with your partner?
SEXUAL DESIRE: Do you and your partner have different levels of sexual desire? Do you feel insecure about yourself?
SEX AND BABY: Are you facing a change in your sexual life in preparing for the arrival of your baby, or after the baby arrived?
SEXUAL HEALTH: Do you have problems with sexual functioning?
SEXUAL TRAUMA: Do you have a history of sexual trauma that may be interfering with your wellbeing and/or relationships?
AGING AND SEX: Is aging (menopause, andropause) impacting your sexual life? Would you like to learn more about sex after 50?
AFFAIRS: Are you going through infidelity issues? Did you know that 50% of couples going through affair issues can recover and have a stronger and honest relationship?
SEPARATION and DIVORCE DISCERNMENT: Are you considering divorce but are not sure? Have you experienced divorce and want to prepare yourself for a new chapter in your life?
DATING: Are you single or divorce and trying to navigate the dating scene? Would you like to learn more about yourself and what you really need in a partner?
BREAK-UPS: Have you had a heartbreak and are having a tough time to grieve and overcome it?
SELF-LOVE: Do you feel shame or guilt for some of your past life experiences? Would you be interested in learning acceptance and self-compassion to open yourself to a new life?
PREP FOR MARRIAGE OR COHABITING: Are you preparing to live together or get married? Are you prepared for what lies ahead?
PURITY CULTURE: Do you want to learn more about your biology so that you can be prepared for your marital life?
SPIRITUALITY: Do you feel uncomfortable or conflicted when dealing with issues related to love, sex, and religion?

What to expect

Once you schedule an appointment with me, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to your online paperwork. Both partners need to complete their own paperwork before the 1st session. The initial assessment takes 4 sessions: I will see you both on the first session to learn about your issues, then see you individually for one session, and then review all your assessments and treatment plan together as a team. After that, we will schedule couples sessions every 1 or 2 weeks depending on the challenges you are facing. Homework is given for the couple to do at home, and it needs to be completed before the following session to keep the therapeutic process moving forward. Couples therapy can take between 6 and 12 months, with most sessions every 2 weeks. Couples can also request a Couples Intensive if they so prefer.

Fees

Insurance

My Training

Masters in Psychology by Saybrook University (in-person training), Seattle Campus, WA
Certified Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
Trained in the Gottman, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Imago Approaches
Trained in Divorce Discernment
Certified Interfaith Spiritual Direction by Saint Placid’s Spirituality Center in Lacey, WA
Masters in Business Administration by the University of Iowa, IA
Masters in Public Health by the University of Iowa, IA

My professional associations

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
American Society of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR)
American Sexual Health Association (ASHA)

We are a comprehensive, sex-positive team of professionals who are here to support you!

Please visit our website for more information or schedule an appointment HERE. We look forward to meeting you!

*Florida Telehealth Website: https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/