PROFESSOR OF COUPLES COUNSELING
My academic roots are in sexuality while my clinical roots are in Marriage & Family Therapy. This is an ideal background for my work since 75% of my practice is couples counseling, and the majority of that work is related to sex, intimacy and relationships.
Sex is the single most important distinction between a friendship and an intimate relationship. Sometimes even the happiest of couples need to learn new ways to communicate, love, relate and be intimate. Many of my clients have a history of feeling like their partner is not really hearing them. When a partner feels invisible or doesn’t feel heard, something needs to change. When appropriate, I use a process I created called, “Heart Felt Hearing” to help couples learn new communication skills that will facilitate deep levels of understanding and emotional intimacy.
The majority of the couples I work with have already seen two or more therapists. They are often frustrated and feel stuck. Many of my couples have been doing battle with each other over the same issues for years if not decades. I am a strength based couples counselor which means I seek ways to help folks build on the strengths they already possess. I believe couples are innately resilient and no matter how bad things may seem, there is always hope. I have had countless couples tell me that when things were the most bleak for them, it was my positive attitude that kept them going when they were ready to give up. I won’t give up on a couple unless they tell me to.
From the very first session my goal is to help you improve your relationship. Toward that end we will focus on getting a process in place designed to help you reach your goals. Each week we are working to make things a little better. Every couple is unique, however many of my clients report feeling better after only one or two sessions. It is amazing what two loving people can accomplish when they set their hearts to it.
Dr. Neil Cannon is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and a Professor of Couples Counseling at Denver Family Institute, the oldest Marriage and Family Therapy school in Colorado (Established 1982). “Dr. Neil” was named as Professor of the Year in 2012. Neil is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, and the Rocky Mountain Section Leader for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists. Neil is also a contributing author to the college text book, “Reproductive Health: The Biology, Psychology and Sociology of Sexuality,” and the author of “Understanding Sexual Taboos.”
