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About couplepower
Phyllis R. Koch-Sheras, Ph.D
Phyllis R. Koch-Sheras, Ph.D., is a practicing clinical psychologist and co-author of several books on dreams and couples, including Lifelong Love: 4 Ways to Creating and Maintaining an Extraordinary Relationship (2012), Couple Power Therapy (2006), The Dream Sourcebook (1995) and Dream On: a Dream Interpretation and Exploration Guide for Women (1983).
Dr. Koch-Sheras has been practicing psychotherapy in Charlottesville, VA since 1975, is the past president of the Virginia Applied Psychology Academy, the Virginia Psychological Association, and the American Psychological Association Society of Media Psychology and Technology.
She and her husband, Dr. Peter Sheras, also a clinical psychologist, have been married 37 years and have two grown children and one grandchild. Together, they lead workshops for couples and have founded the non-profit organization Couples Coaching Couples, which continues to support couples in cities across the country for over 20 years.
Dr. Koch-Sheras received her bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University, her master’s degree from Northwestern University and her doctorate from the University of Texas.
In addition to private practice, she has worked as a Training Director for the Austin State Hospital and the University of Virginia Counseling Center. She is currently a Community Fellow for Brown College of the University of Virginia.
Dr. Koch-Sheras is also a professional opera singer, watercolor artist, and Dzogchen Buddhist practitioner.
Peter L. Sheras, Ph.D
Peter L. Sheras, Ph.D., ABPP, is a clinical psychologist and has co-authored several publications on couples, dream work, brief therapy, youth violence, and adolescent development.
His publications include Your Child, Bully or Victim ( 2004), I Can’t Believe You Went Through My Stuff (2006) and Clinical Psychology: A Social Psychological Approach (1979).
He has a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists and past president of the Virginia Psychological Association.
He was born in Chicago, Illinois and received his BA from Yale University, his MA and Ph.D. from Princeton, and trained intensively in clinical work at Rutgers and the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto, California.
Peter appears frequently as an expert in the media on topics of couples, adolescents and families. He is also a professor in the Curry Programs in Clinical and School Psychology and Past- Chair of the Human Services Department in UVa’s Curry School of Education. In addition to is academic and research appointment, he has practiced as a clinician for more than 40 years.
About Us
Our Story
In the early 1970’s psychologists and counselors began to be interested in how people got into and stayed in relationships. During that period of time, the number of people who were divorcing began to rise dramatically to nearly 50% and has remained there for a decade.
Why do people want to get married if there is such a great possibility that the relationship will fail, or even if they stay married they will not be happy? We met when we about 30 and working with couples who were struggling to decide about staying together.Peter Sheras and Phyllis Koch-Sheras
At the very same time, we were ourselves, falling in love. If we wanted to be happy and loving, what could we learn from our patients and the mentors who trained us? That is exactly what we set out to determine and over the past 40+ years we have learned a lot and helped a large number of couples.
We invented something we call “Couple Power.”
We are clinical psychologists who have enjoyed studying and working with couples for more than three decades, and we have been happily married to each other for just as long.
Together, we have written several books and articles, including Lifelong Love: 4 Steps to Creating and Maintaining an Extraordinary Relationship, Couple Power Therapy: Building Commitment, Cooperation, Communication, and Community in Relationships (2006).
We co-founded Couples Coaching Couples, a growing nationwide movement providing mutual support to couples in their communities. We have presented to a variety of groups, including personal growth centers, businesses, schools and professional organizations, such as the American Psychological Association.
We often give media interviews on radio and television and in newspapers and magazines regarding relationships, including a regular segment on our local radio morning talk show. After extensive training in couples, family and sex therapy in California, we moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where we now both teach and practice.
We also give workshops for couples, counselors and other professionals around North America. A number of books, CD’s, videos and podcasts of our work are available. We have two adult children who are also happily married.
Every relationship begins with a first step.
Every relationship starts with taking that crucial first step toward a deeper and more fulfilling connection. By embarking on this journey with us, you’ll gain the tools and insights needed to transform your partnership into something truly extraordinary. Together, we’ll guide you through the process of discovering and enhancing the joy and unity that await in your relationship.
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