Amy Jo Hawkins, MSW, LCSW

Relationships can activate our deepest longings — and our deepest fears. Many individuals and couples come to therapy feeling stuck in painful cycles of conflict — criticism, defensiveness, emotional shutdown, or conversations that quickly escalate into arguments. Beneath these patterns are often deeper emotional wounds shaped by earlier relationships, especially growing up with emotionally immature or narcissistic caregivers. When those experiences go unexamined, they can quietly influence how partners react to conflict, express needs, and interpret each other's intentions. I specialize in helping individuals and high-conflict couples slow down reactive patterns and understand the emotional dynamics driving their disconnection. In our work together, partners learn how to recognize triggers, regulate emotional responses, and communicate their needs with clarity rather than blame. As develop a shared emotional language, they begin to repair conflict more effectively and rebuild trust. My work is especially helpful for individuals and couples where one or both partners grew up in families marked by emotional immaturity, narcissistic dynamics, or inconsistent caregiving. These early relational patterns often show up in adult partnerships as heightened sensitivity to criticism, difficulty expressing vulnerability, or cycles of pursuing and withdrawing during conflict. Together we work to break inherited patterns so your relationship can become a place of emotional safety, respect, and genuine connection. If you and your partner feel stuck in painful conflict but still care deeply about the relationship, therapy can help you create a new way forward. With the right support, individuals and couples can learn to navigate conflict in ways that strengthen understanding rather than deepen disconnection. I invite you to reach out to schedule a consultation and begin the process of building a healthier, more secure relationship.