My specialty is working with couples in intimate relationships who feel their relationship is in distress. I can help when you're not talking, not communicating, not connecting anymore. I can help if you and your partner are constantly fighting, or if you're living like roommates. I can help if there has been an affair, that has been ended, and now you both want to find a way to get past it.
I have a passion for this work and have the specific training and experience required to help you and your partner find connection and understanding again. Couples Counseling is what I knew I wanted to do when I left a corporate position 10 years ago to go back to school in mid-life.
I have a passion for this work and have the specific training and experience required to help you and your partner find connection and understanding again. Couples Counseling is what I knew I wanted to do when I left a corporate position 10 years ago to go back to school in mid-life.
Services
From my office in Clearwater Florida I serve the surrounding areas of Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Oldsmar and Safety Harbor. I can also see clients near downtown St. Petersburg on a limited basis. I cannot accept insurance but if you qualify for financial distress through Open Path Collective, I will accept you at a rate that meets your ability to pay.
My first wife and I went to couples counseling for nearly a year and half, our marriage eventually failed. That failure lingered inside of me for some time and I often wondered if things could have been different if we would have found the right couples counselor. For years after that experience my curiosity about what made marriages work grew stronger.
Using Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT); I will work to help my couple become aware of their negative cycle and the unmet attachment needs that feed the problematic behaviors that block connection. As your therapist I will be taking an active role in this process while remaining impartial between partners, my focus is on your interactions and the process, not on the particulars of who did what.
I'll work with you using the proven concepts of John Gottman (7 Principles for Making Marriage Work). Gottman has defined the behaviors that allow for a successful marriage versus those that generally lead to a failure. We will also talk about some of the difficult questions that often do not get addressed before relationships get serious enough for marriage or cohabitation.
Discernment Counseling is a specialized therapy for couples currently in a relationship who feel differently about their dedication to the survival of that relationship, also called "Mixed Agenda" couples. One partner is "leaning out" of the relationship while the other partner is "leaning in", or highly motivated to save it.
Reviews (9)
Ryan Stack
Sep 07, 2020
Report
My experience with Richard is priceless. With his guidance, my relationship continues to grow stronger and stronger. Richard is extremely easy to talk with, very understanding, non-judgmental, and is great at identifying key area's to make us(my fiancee and I) think and connect dots. As a result, we are stronger and more connected.
On top of that, he's extremely flexible with hours. I can't say enough quality, genuine things about him - I'm grateful to work with him.
On top of that, he's extremely flexible with hours. I can't say enough quality, genuine things about him - I'm grateful to work with him.
Jacklyn McGill
Aug 26, 2020
Report
Craig Newman
Dec 03, 2019
Report
Richard was instrumental in helping us tackle some long term issues that lingered due to not fully being healed in the past. He is extremely supportive, was very flexible to my ever shifting schedule, and his approach is different than what you might expect. We were aware of the EFT approach; and Richard’s expertise in this area was integral to our healing process. Thanks Richard!
Will McCormack
Nov 29, 2019
Report
Richard Tifft has been my colleague since graduated school at USF 8 years ago. He is passionate about helping couples overcome the problems in their relationship. He has helped to restore numerous marriages from termination by teaching couples how to communicate more effectively. I consulted Richard on a difficult case involving relationship dynamics recently. I have confidence in Richard’s ability as a therapist that I would recommend my family members to hire him.
Tamara Barendregt
Nov 24, 2019
Report
Lori Georgiou
Oct 03, 2019
Report
I've known Richard for over 8 years. He is an excellent marriage and couple therapist and I refer clients to him often. Richard is genuine and committed to supporting and guiding his clients toward better connection, a more loving bond, and healing from incidents that may have cause disconnection and mistrust. He's patient and kind, and what couples need during difficult times. Lori Georgiou, LMFT Clearwater, FL
Jorge Trujillo
Sep 28, 2019
Report
Meg
Jul 26, 2018
Report
I've had 2 sessions with Richard, both unrelated (one last minute that he was able to squeeze me in). He has great professionalism while being very approachable. I didn't feel like I was necessarily talking to a therapist but someone who was actually there to listen and provide help. 100% recommend his services.
Samantha Oakes
Dec 12, 2017
Report
