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Elisa M. Thomas MA LMFT

Adult & Relationship Counseling Southport, NC

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Relationship Therapy

Relationships Teach Us Who We Are

Healing always starts in the individual mind. Relationship therapy becomes necessary as we practice what we have learned about ourselves, taking in and giving essential feedback. I work with couples at every stage of their relationship; before they meet, when they first meet, if they marry, when they make the decision to have kids, and later as they grow in maturity and deeper love with each other.

The work of relationships is to increase our capacity for self-awareness, trust, honesty, respect, acceptance and tolerance of others. Once accomplished, this work inevitably leads to lives filled with compassion, forgiveness, effortless generosity, gentleness, and joy.

Relationship Counseling

  • I teach people how to have realistic expectations in their relationship, clearing away distorted beliefs which allows their interest and passions to thrive.
  • I help couples learn how to create a blended vision for their lives together; they realize they can dream again and set their sites on what their most satisfying romantic relationship would be and achieve it!
  • I help people create healthy emotional flexibility in their relationships. Through learning and practicing respectful communication they realize many of their needs can be met. When they start to realize their partner can’t meet all of their needs, they learn how to begin meeting their own needs without resentment but with a sense of self-empowerment.
  • I give couples feedback on what I see their individual challenges to be, helping them to create realistic goals they can each take responsibility for.
  • I teach people how to express anger as well as all of their feelings to each other, and finish the conversation realizing a deeper connection to each other.

Unresolved conflicts and stalemates in a relationship point back in time to early unresolved traumas experienced. Rather than coming into therapy ready to blame your partner for what you are not getting, reflect on how you first learned to do relationships. What did you think your role was and how are you now feeling and behaving as a result of those beliefs?

 

This is not light work. It will often take you to the limits of what you think you can or should endure in relationships. It will test your grit. And that’s precisely when you know that you are on the right path. Those who think they just “have to learn how to communicate better”, please think again. If it were that easy you most likely would have done it by now!

Elisa M. Thomas

 

Doing this work requires self-discipline and practice, just like anything else you choose to be better at in life.

Each day, trying to be a better partner than you were the day before. The rewards will be many with each person feeling more seen, honored and an essential part of a very intimate team.

If you would like to begin the work of deepening your relationships call or email me to make an in-person or video appointment TODAY!

 

“We appreciate Elisa’s practical attitude and advice. She can identify and clarify issues and help us work toward resolving them in a non-threatening environment. She is flexible on scheduling and very professional.”

AR and DO January 2013

 

“At our initial meeting for marriage counseling with Elisa, we at once felt comfortable and an almost tangible feeling of love and care. Over the weeks, her observations, suggestions and yes, assignments, were spot on in their effectively transforming our formerly contentious relationship to one of understanding, not having to win, real listening and beyond all else effective communication and bottom line, love. No, neither of us is related to her nor had we ever met her or heard of her prior to early this year. We are also not being paid any sort of gratuity to write this. These are simply our heartfelt observations.”

NB and PB June 2012

Call or make an in-person or video appointment with me today!

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Related Articles and Information:

  • Focus on What You Want More Of
  • Imago Relationship Therapy
  • 5 Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship
  • Adult Therapy
  • Happy New Year!!
  • Losing Yourself in Relationship

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Phone

(910) 446-3697

Mailing Address

LifeStance Therapy
4891 Long Beach Rd SE, Ste 3, #259
Southport, NC 28461

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Testimonials

Very attentive and supportive

Elisa has been very attentive and supportive. She has helped me through a lot of problems using my...

Robert H.

marriage and family psychotherapist
5
2019-04-23T06:44:45-04:00

Robert H.

Elisa has been very attentive and supportive. She has helped me through a lot of problems using my own strengths and attributes to get myself through the process. Her office is quiet, secluded, and peaceful. I highly recommend her.
https://southportfamilytherapy.com/testimonials/very-attentive-and-supportive/

A safe person to share my most difficult feelings with

Elisa has helped me to understand myself better and has been a safe person to share my most...

Wendy W.

marriage and family psychotherapist
5
2019-04-23T06:46:51-04:00

Wendy W.

Elisa has helped me to understand myself better and has been a safe person to share my most difficult feelings with. Her support has helped me to create and maintain fulfilling and meaningful relationships in my life.
https://southportfamilytherapy.com/testimonials/a-safe-person-to-share-my-most-difficult-feelings-with/

A loving and compassionate space

Powerful learning in a loving and compassionate space. Thank you many times over Elisa!

Warren C

marriage and family psychotherapist
5
2019-04-23T06:48:26-04:00

Warren C

Powerful learning in a loving and compassionate space. Thank you many times over Elisa!
https://southportfamilytherapy.com/testimonials/a-loving-and-compassionate-space/

Life is hard, but living it doesn’t have to be

I have learned through my work with Elisa Thomas that life is hard, but living it doesn’t have...

M.F.

marriage and family psychotherapist
5
2019-04-23T06:52:19-04:00

M.F.

I have learned through my work with Elisa Thomas that life is hard, but living it doesn’t have to be. With Elisa’s help, I was able to get rid of so much fear and self-doubt. I have learned to use the tools that she shares to transform my life into a bright new start with more potential than I’ve ever known in me. Elisa has the best attitude, a great knack for dispelling illusions, bringing things gently into reality that need resolution, and she understands what motivates me even before I do. Elisa works with me at my pace and honestly hears me when I speak.
https://southportfamilytherapy.com/testimonials/life-is-hard-but-living-it-doesnt-have-to-be/

We appreciate Elisa’s practical attitude and advice

She can identify and clarify issues and help us work toward resolving them in a non-threatening environment. We...

AR and DO

marriage and family psychotherapist
5
2019-04-23T06:55:09-04:00

AR and DO

She can identify and clarify issues and help us work toward resolving them in a non-threatening environment. We appreciate Elisa’s practical attitude and advice. She is flexible on scheduling and very professional.
https://southportfamilytherapy.com/testimonials/we-appreciate-elisas-practical-attitude-and-advice/

Recommend her to anyone who is going through a difficult period

I would recommend her to anyone who is going through a difficult period. She is a true professional...

Anonymous

marriage and family psychotherapist
5
2019-04-23T06:58:57-04:00

Anonymous

I would recommend her to anyone who is going through a difficult period. She is a true professional at what she does and a good person. I had never received counseling before I scheduled an appointment with Ms. Thomas. I am over 50, financially successful and take pride in being self-sufficient. However, I was physically and emotionally exhausted due to an impossible work schedule and stressful personal life. Something completely unexpected and traumatic happened which brought me to my knees. I was so shocked I became physically ill and emotionally distraught. I was at a point where I was so overwhelmed I did not feel I could function. I knew I needed help. I called Ms. Thomas and consider myself lucky that I did. Ms. Thomas helped me tremendously and is a credit to her profession.
https://southportfamilytherapy.com/testimonials/recommend-her-to-anyone-who-is-going-through-a-difficult-period/

Transforming our formerly contentious relationship to one of understanding … love

At our initial meeting for marriage counseling with Elisa, we at once felt comfortable and an almost tangible...

NB and PB

marriage and family psychotherapist
5
2019-04-23T07:03:07-04:00

NB and PB

At our initial meeting for marriage counseling with Elisa, we at once felt comfortable and an almost tangible feeling of love and care. Over the weeks, her observations, suggestions and yes, assignments, were spot on in their effectively transforming our formerly contentious relationship to one of understanding, not having to win, real listening and beyond all else effective communication and bottom line, love. No, neither of us is related to her nor had we ever met her or heard of her prior to early this year. We are also not being paid any sort of gratuity to write this. These are simply our heartfelt observations.
https://southportfamilytherapy.com/testimonials/transforming-our-formerly-contentious-relationship-to-one-of-understanding-love/
5
7
marriage and family psychotherapist

State licensed therapy ensures appropriate training, ethical standards, and a continual process of professional education and self-improvement. My commitment to this work leads to a qualitative difference in your therapy.

Before you leave, consider taking advantage of a FREE 20 minute phone consultation.

It just might change the way you see things.

Click To Schedule Now!