About Annapolis Relationship Therapy
What makes Annapolis Relationship Therapy different from other therapy practices?
Dr. Teresa Hunt Monan brings 38 years of experience and integrates three powerful therapy models: IMAGO, EFT, and PACT. This unique combination addresses relationship challenges through neuroscience, attachment theory, and the biology of connection. She also specializes in ADHD/ADD and grief counseling.
What credentials and training does Dr. Monan have?
Dr. Monan is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 38 years of experience and advanced training from Columbia, Harvard, and the University of Michigan. She's certified in IMAGO Therapy, trained in EFT, and is a Certified Level I and II PACT Practitioner. She also has had training in Tapping, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Body Based Healing Techniques) and Hypnotherapy Training.
Do you offer both in-person and teletherapy sessions?
Yes! We offer in-person sessions at our Annapolis office (115 Annapolis Street) and teletherapy for clients in Maryland and Michigan.
Getting Started
How do I schedule my first appointment?
Email Dr. Monan at [email protected] for the fastest response. (Office phone: 410-507-5650, but email is preferred.)
What should I expect during the first session?
The first session creates a safe space to share your concerns and goals. Dr. Monan will ask about your history, current challenges, and therapy goals, then work with you to create a personalized treatment plan.
How long does therapy typically last?
It varies. Some see improvements in a few months; others benefit from longer-term work. Dr. Monan will discuss your situation during the initial consultation and adjust the plan as you progress.
Do you accept insurance?
For questions about insurance and fees, please email AnnapolisRelationshipT[email protected].
Couples Therapy Questions
How do I know if my partner and I need Couples Therapy?
You don't need to be in crisis. Common reasons include feeling disconnected, frequent arguments, lack of intimacy, communication breakdowns, infidelity, considering separation, parenting disagreements, extended family issues, or wanting to strengthen your relationship.
What if my partner doesn't want to attend Couples Therapy?
Start with Individual Relationship Therapy. Working on your own patterns can create positive shifts in your relationship. Often, when one partner changes, the other may become interested in joining later.
What are IMAGO, EFT, and PACT therapy?
IMAGO uses structured dialogue to help partners understand each other's "tender spots" from past experiences, moving from reactivity to conscious communication. Especially helpful for ADHD/ADD. With IMAGO dialogue, partners “mirror back” their partner’s statements in a slow meaningful manner so they can feel deeply heard. Then they validate their partner’s perspective. Using IMAGO techniques, partners move their relationship from “unconscious reactivity” to “conscious intentionality”.
EFT identifies negative cycles of relating and guides partners toward emotional openness, providing a roadmap for healing attachment injuries like betrayal. It helps identify a couple’s “reactive dance” and get to deeper, more vulnerable feelings and longings underneath. Sharing vulnerabilities helps partners meet each other with kindness and support, rather than defense.
PACT uses neuroscience to help couples understand how their nervous systems affect relationships. Their reactive responses are signs that they feel unsafe at that moment, which can soften the negative moral judgement re: their reactive response. Through PACT, partners create "owner's manuals" on each other for less reactive, smoother functioning.Through the shared principles of fairness, kindness, and sensitivity, a couple learns to create secure functioning.
Dr. Monan combines all three for powerful results.
EFT identifies negative cycles of relating and guides partners toward emotional openness, providing a roadmap for healing attachment injuries like betrayal. It helps identify a couple’s “reactive dance” and get to deeper, more vulnerable feelings and longings underneath. Sharing vulnerabilities helps partners meet each other with kindness and support, rather than defense.
PACT uses neuroscience to help couples understand how their nervous systems affect relationships. Their reactive responses are signs that they feel unsafe at that moment, which can soften the negative moral judgement re: their reactive response. Through PACT, partners create "owner's manuals" on each other for less reactive, smoother functioning.Through the shared principles of fairness, kindness, and sensitivity, a couple learns to create secure functioning.
Dr. Monan combines all three for powerful results.
How long are Couples Therapy sessions, and how often do we meet?
Sessions start at 90 minutes (weekly or biweekly), then shift to 60 minutes as you progress. Duration varies-some couples improve in months, others prefer longer-term work.
Can Couples Therapy help us after infidelity or betrayal?
Yes. Therapy provides a safe space to process pain, understand what happened, and rebuild trust. EFT offers a specific roadmap for healing attachment injuries andallows for the creation of a new form for the marriage. Healing takes time and courage from both partners, but it's possible with professional guidance.
What if we're considering separation or divorce?
Therapy can help you explore your options with clarity. Some couples rebuild and create a stronger relationship; others use therapy to understand what went wrong and navigate "conscious uncoupling" with dignity and respect.
What if we're living like roommates with no intimacy?
This "invisible divorce" is common but changeable. Therapy helps you understand attachment styles, create safety, and reconnect emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Many couples rediscover passion or enjoy "quiet love" in a renewed, secure bond.
Do you offer Premarital Counseling?
Yes. Premarital Counseling helps you understand relationship patterns, communication styles, and potential challenges before marriage. You'll build a strong foundation and learn skills for long-term success.
What are Intensives for Couples?
Intensives are extended, focused sessions for concentrated progress. They're helpful for couples in crisis, those with limited availability, or partners wanting to jumpstart healing. Contact Dr. Monan for details.
Individual Relationship Therapy Questions
Do I need to be in a relationship to benefit from Individual Relationship Therapy?
No! This therapy helps whether you're single, dating, in a relationship, or recovering from a breakup. You'll understand your patterns, attachment style, and how past experiences shape connections-preparing you for healthier relationships.
Can Individual Relationship Therapy help if my partner won't come to couples therapy?
Yes. Working on your own patterns, emotional regulation, and communication can shift relationship dynamics. When one partner changes, it often positively influences the relationship and may encourage the other to join later.
What issues can Individual Relationship Therapy address?
Relationship issues, life transitions, family conflicts, finding true love, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, loss of meaning, grief and loss, guilt and shame, childhood trauma, Adult ADHD/ADD, self-defeating patterns, love addiction, commitment conflicts, and patterns of unsuccessful relationships.
How can Individual Therapy help with Adult ADHD/ADD?
Dr. Monan provides specialized neurocognitive therapy to help you understand and accept your brain style, recognize strengths and challenges, and develop "ADD-friendly" strategies. The focus is on celebrating your ADHD-related gifts while learning management and organizational skills.
What is the "Keeping the Love You Find" workshop?
This IMAGO Workshop is for individuals to understand problematic patterns with romantic love and make shifts for different outcomes. Particularly valuable for singles with multiple disappointments in love or commitment conflicts. (Currently Dr. Monan is offering this in a private format through individual sessions.)
Can therapy help with self-esteem and self-compassion?
Yes! Developing self-compassion is central for many clients. You'll become aware of critical inner voices (often internalized messages from the past) and develop a kinder, supportive voice that transforms your mood, hope, and beliefs about yourself.
How does Individual Therapy help with anxiety and depression?
Dr. Monan uses mindfulness, meditation, EFT ("Tapping"), cognitive behavioral techniques, breathing exercises, and neurofeedback, likeHeart Math. The focus includes learning to face feelings with self-compassion. "If you can feel it, you can heal it."
Grief Counseling Questions
Can Grief Counseling help with different types of loss?
Yes. Dr. Monan provides compassionate support for death of a loved one, miscarriage, terminal diagnosis, relationship endings, job loss, and other significant losses. Grief affects everyone differently, which can create challenges especially for couples grieving together.
How does Grief Counseling help couples who are grieving together?
Counseling helps you understand your individual grief processes, honor both partners' needs, and support each other. Dr. Monan helps navigate different ways you each experience grief, preventing these differences from creating distance.
Will the pain of grief ever go away?
Grief changes over time but never fully disappears. Counseling helps you find meaning after loss, rebuild your life while honoring what you've lost, and discover hope. Healing means learning to carry your loss while still embracing life and connection.
Practical Questions
What is the difference between Couples Therapy, Couples Counseling, Marriage Therapy, Marriage Counseling, and Relationship Counseling?
These terms are used interchangeably, and there's no practical difference in the services provided. All refer to professional psychotherapy that helps partners improve their relationship, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their emotional connection. At Annapolis Relationship Therapy, whether you're seeking couples therapy, couples counseling, marriage counseling, marriage therapy, or relationship counseling, you'll receive the same comprehensive, evidence-based care using IMAGO, EFT, and PACT approaches. The terminology you use doesn't matter-what matters is getting the support you need for your relationship.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes, therapy is confidential. Dr. Monan adheres to strict ethical guidelines and legal requirements regarding client confidentiality. What you share in therapy stays in therapy, with only specific legal exceptions (such as situations involving imminent harm to self or others, child abuse, or court orders). During your first session, Dr. Monan will explain confidentiality in detail so you feel safe and secure sharing openly.
What if I don't feel comfortable after the first session?
Finding the right therapist is important for successful therapy. If after your first session you don't feel comfortable or that Dr. Monan is the right fit, she encourages you to share your concerns. Sometimes these feelings can be addressed and resolved; other times, a different therapist may be a better match. Dr. Monan's priority is your wellbeing and growth, and she can provide referrals to other qualified therapists if needed.
Do you offer workshops or educational programs?
Currently, Dr. Monan offers Singles and Couples Education in a private format only. The main concepts in the "Getting the Love You Want" (GTLYW) Workshops for couples and "Keeping the Love You Find" (KTLYF) Workshops for singles are taught in a private rather than group format. These IMAGO-based workshop ideas and concepts provide valuable insights into relationship patterns, attachment styles, and skills for creating lasting, fulfilling connections. Contact Dr. Monan for more information if you are interested in learning more.
What areas do you serve?
Dr. Monan's office is located at 115 Annapolis Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401, serving couples and individuals in Annapolis and surrounding Maryland communities. She also offers teletherapy for clients located anywhere in Maryland and Michigan, providing convenient access to high-quality relationship therapy regardless of your location within these states.
Ready to take the first step?
Whether you're seeking couples counseling, relationship counseling, marriage therapy, individual relationship therapy, or grief counseling in Annapolis, taking the first step is often the hardest part. You don't need to face these challenges alone.
Contact Annapolis Relationship Therapy today:
Email: [email protected].
Phone: 410 507 5650
Address: 115 Annapolis Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
With 38 years of experience and a compassionate, evidence-based approach, Dr. Teresa Hunt Monan can help you rebuild connection, restore hope, and create the relationship you deserve.
Phone: 410 507 5650
Address: 115 Annapolis Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
With 38 years of experience and a compassionate, evidence-based approach, Dr. Teresa Hunt Monan can help you rebuild connection, restore hope, and create the relationship you deserve.
For every individual I meet, I hold the highest vision for their potential for transformation, to reclaim and recalibrate their lives. With every couple I meet, I know that where there is increased safety, connection and passion will return. Understanding is love made visible, and its power knows no bounds.
- Dr. Teresa Hunt Monan, Ph.D.
- Dr. Teresa Hunt Monan, Ph.D.
