Author: Deborah Richelieu, LMFT

  • Grieving Marriages: Navigating Loss of a Loved One Together

    Grieving Marriages: Navigating Loss of a Loved One Together

    At the start of this year, my husband and I found ourselves grappling with the profound loss of a loved one. Immediately, we were overwhelmed by intense grief, shock, and emotional pain. It was a time of heartache, and our marriage faced one of its toughest challenges yet. Amidst the…

  • Navigating Holiday Stress as a Couple

    Navigating Holiday Stress as a Couple

    Can you believe Thanksgiving is only a few days away? The holidays are often a time for celebration, connection, and tradition. However, for many couples, the holiday season can also bring a unique set of pressures that can strain even the healthiest relationships. As a therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how…

  • Setting Healthy Boundaries with Your Families as a Newly Married Couple

    Setting Healthy Boundaries with Your Families as a Newly Married Couple

      As a couples therapist, I’ve seen how couples can struggle with balancing their family dynamics while trying to create their own family unit. Setting boundaries with in-laws and extended family is not always easy, but it’s a crucial step in building a strong, sustainable partnership. In this blog, I’ll…

  • The Importance of Premarital Counseling: A Faith-Based Perspective

    The Importance of Premarital Counseling: A Faith-Based Perspective

    “And no one should separate a couple that God has joined together.” Mark  10 vs. 9  Entering into marriage is one of the most significant commitments a couple can make. It’s a journey that promises joy, growth, and challenges. As a faith-based therapist, I believe that premarital counseling is an…

  • Marriage Lessons During the 2020 Pandemic

    Marriage Lessons During the 2020 Pandemic

    In couples therapy, (when it is relevant to a couple’s goal) I will self disclose and offer real life examples from my own marriage. When the pandemic arrived in 2020, my husband and I had been married for eight years. The sudden shift in our daily lives forced us to…

  • Embracing Change and Finding Gratitude

    Embracing Change and Finding Gratitude

    In the summer of 2020, I found myself waking up after just a few hours of sleep—first around 3:00 AM and then again at 6:30 AM. This wasn’t typical for me; I usually enjoy sleeping in. But after a long, restless night, I sensed that today was different. This spring…

  • Expectation Conversation in Marriage

    Expectation Conversation in Marriage

    Reassessing Expectations in Marriage What are your expectations of your spouse this week? During the 2020 pandemic, my husband and I took the time to revisit our expectations of one another. We realized that having clear expectations is essential for a healthy marriage, and we decided to reevaluate them together.…

  • What Does It Mean to Have Rich Faith?

    What Does It Mean to Have Rich Faith?

      Reflecting on my experience during the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, I’ve come to understand the essence of having rich faith. Like many, I faced significant challenges. The pandemic disrupted my plans, leading to the cancellation of my internship and postponement of my summer graduation. I suddenly found myself having to…

  • A Background to The Rich Couch Therapy LLC Story

    A Background to The Rich Couch Therapy LLC Story

    Welcome to The Rich Couch Therapy The Rich Couch Therapy is inspired by countless conversations with my spouse, Kevin Richelieu. Let me share a bit about our journey. Both of us grew up in South Florida, with parents who hailed from the beautiful country of Haiti. We were raised speaking…