I’m Robert M. Tierney, M.Ed., LPC, a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 30 years of counseling experience. I work primarily with couples and individuals dealing with recurring conflict, communication breakdowns, trust concerns, emotional disconnection, relationship decisions, anxiety, and major life changes. Much of my work focuses on helping people understand the patterns that keep repeating and learn practical ways to communicate more clearly, respond differently, and build healthier relationships. I also work with individuals who want relationship help even when their partner is unwilling or unable to attend therapy.

Approach to Therapy

My approach is practical, collaborative, and focused on what is happening in your life right now. With couples, I pay close attention to the interaction patterns that keep conflict going, including criticism, defensiveness, withdrawal, emotional shutdown, and the pursue-withdraw cycle. I help both partners slow those patterns down, understand what each person is experiencing, and practice more useful ways of talking and listening. My work draws from Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, attachment-based approaches, Internal Family Systems concepts, and trauma-informed care. I don’t see therapy as a place to decide who is right or wrong. The goal is to understand what keeps happening, identify what can change, and help you develop skills that continue to work outside the therapy session.