Generated by All in One SEO Pro v4.9.8, this is an llms-full.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Amy Fuller PhD Crucible Therapy, Couples & Sex Therapy in Houston ## Posts ### [Blog](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog/) **Published:** January 17, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** --- ### [What it Takes to Grow Strong Relationships](https://amyfullerphd.com/what-it-takes-to-grow-strong-relationships/) **Published:** June 8, 2026 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Excerpt:** Strong relationships don’t grow by accident. They don’t grow from more empathy, better conflict strategies, or even better communication skills. Some people assume strong relationships are built on a sense of safety and security. They aren’t. **Content:** Strong relationships don’t grow by accident. They don’t grow from more empathy, better conflict strategies, or even better communication skills. Some people assume strong relationships are built on a sense of safety and security. They aren’t. Strong relationships grow from something deeper…a solid sense of Self. Without it, people become reactive. Disappointment sparks defensiveness. Disagreement leads to shutdown. Distance creates panic. Instead of staying steady, we try to control the tension, and over time the relationship becomes more about keeping things calm than growing strong. In my work as a couples, family, and sex therapist, I see again and again that struggles with intimacy, conflict, and desire are less about communication and more about an underdeveloped sense of Self. Many adults are navigating intimate relationships using strategies that worked in childhood but do not help adult intimacy. And here’s the part most people don’t realize: intimate relationships provide the very pressure that has the potential to prompt this kind of development. If you want to grow a strong relationship, you don’t start by fixing the other person. You start by growing yourself up. ## **What We Mean by a “Self”** When we talk about a Self, we’re not talking about confidence, self-esteem, or a strong personality. We’re talking about something sturdier. [Read More….](https://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/strong-relationships-solid-self/) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6d17399acfd9b615dcc0b9c59c57e5ae8935bb0c93952030fbf48b72220e0445?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Amy Fuller PHD [See Full Bio](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) [ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) Sexuality Relationships Trauma [ ![social network 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](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd/) **Categories:** Growth, Intimacy, Marriage, Self-Development **Tags:** self, Solid, Strong Relationship --- ### [The “Full Life”…Reflections on Growth, Happiness and Hope](https://amyfullerphd.com/the-full-lifereflections-on-growth-happiness-and-hope/) **Published:** April 9, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** We all hold the ideals of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” dear to our hearts. The hope of a long life, freedom and the potential of “feeling” happy motivates many to achieve more, overcome great adversity and dream big dreams. I wonder if happiness really is the goal. Happiness is by nature a fleeting and momentary emotional experience. I would posit true happiness to be much deeper, flowing from an inner sense of peace, joy and contentment. In my work as a family therapist, I have observed many people experience profound blocks to happiness, much less a deep sense of joy, love, and faith. These blocks are usually rooted in unmet needs, emotional wounds or relationship struggles. A therapeutic environment is a professional place where these hurts can be healed. Long-standing behavioral patterns or negative perceptions can be unearthed through strategic intervention, compassionate listening, and therapeutic approaches creating open space for a more meaningful life. [Read more…](http://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/the-fuller-life-growth-happiness-hope/) [CONTINUE READING](http://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/the-fuller-life-growth-happiness-hope/) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6d17399acfd9b615dcc0b9c59c57e5ae8935bb0c93952030fbf48b72220e0445?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Amy Fuller PHD [See Full Bio](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) [ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) Sexuality Relationships Trauma [ ![social network 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](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd/) **Categories:** Growth, Self-Development --- ### [EMDR Therapy: From surround-sound technicolor trauma to silent black & white drama](https://amyfullerphd.com/emdr-therapy-from-techicolor-trauma-to-black-and-white-drama/) **Published:** February 17, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** For those of us having the luxury of watching color television our entire lives, classic black and white movies can be challenging in spite of the fact that many of these films offer a much richer narrative. In today’s digitally-powered culture, we find the current premium digital experience more sensually appealing and mesmerizing. The opposite is true when it comes to our own real-life drama and memories. We want to recall good memories with vibrant color and detail and let old or “bad” memories fade into a colorless non-existence. But our brains tend to hold onto any memory that is paired with a strong emotion, be it positive or negative. EMDR therapy has the power to make the positive experiences stronger and the traumatic memory weaker. Read on if you want to know how this happens! ### Our memories color our world [![memories not always as they appear](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/memories-not-always-as-they-appear-300x300.jpg)](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/memories-not-always-as-they-appear.jpg) Over time, the day-to-day memories of our lives tends to fade into something far away or “just something that just happened.” This occurs naturally as our brain sorts out our experiences turning some into long-term memory or learning, and simply deleting those insignificant things we don’t need to remember like where we parked our car at the grocery story. As we sleep our brains go into a sort of housekeeping mode and the raw footage of the day is edited. The sights, smells, thoughts, feelings, and experiences are sorted and coded in a systematic nature. This [encoding process](http://www.human-memory.net/processes_encoding.html) is quite complex and involves different types of [autobiographical memory](http://www.human-memory.net/types_episodic.html) that shapes our sense of who we are and our value. These memories and what they mean determine what we believe about ourselves, our lives, and our world. We are, in our own self-perception, the interpretation of the sum of our experience. In our rear view mirror we see who we are, or at least who we think we are since the mirror is most often distorted in one way or another. When it comes to memory, perception is reality, and yet our brain doesn’t just record the facts…what matters most is the feeling. ### The more we feel it the more we recall it. The more emotion involved in any particular experience the more we will remember about that experience. Much research has shown that if an experience invokes a high degree of emotion, either positive or negative, the the memory will be recalled more often and with greater detail or clarity. This is a desirable phenomenon for our positive memories. We like the idea of recalling moments of joy, celebration and victory with great detail. We want to remember the moment we first met our loved one, the birth of our children or the sweet victory of a high school championship. Yet memories of pain, suffering or trauma, can detrimentally effect our ability to live well. Since memories of abuse or tragic loss are almost always accompanied with strong emotions such as shock, fear, terror, etc. our brain will hold onto these memories and sometimes they can become “trapped” or “frozen” before they go through the encoding process. This can lead to flashbacks, night terrors and disassociation. Until these memories are healed, they continue to affect our sense of self, worth and behavior in ways that are most often out of our awareness. ### The movies in our minds Traumatic memories that remain “unprocessed” are like horror films that keep replaying in the mind. Not only are they re-lived in the mind, but the body remembers as well. The punch or rape that happened years ago seems to be happening in the present moment of the flashback. Additionally, the recurrence of these memories reinforces the erroneous beliefs we hold about ourselves because of the memory. For example, when a child is abused the common belief is “It’s my fault” or “I must have been bad.” Reliving these memories makes this seem more true, when it couldn’t be further from the truth. [![senses](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/senses1-300x199.jpg "senses | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/senses1.jpg) Since our brains #1 job is to keep us alive, the brain is constantly on guard for anything that even remotely looks, feels, tastes, sounds or smells like that awful event. These “triggers” for negatively charged memories are front and center for our threat detection system. If our brain was a computer theses sensory triggers would live on our desktop. In order to protect us, the brain is hyper-vigilant about making sure something like “that” never happens again. The problem is the brain is not very good at knowing the difference between **re**al vs. perceived threat. If one dog bites a child, the child believes all dogs will bite them. The smell of alcohol can trigger the breath of a rapist from 15 years prior. A loud sound can bring back images of war. Not all triggers are from Capital “T” kinds of Trauma. Even small things that wound or hurt us, with a lower-case “t” for trauma, can create the same “triggering” response. The look on someone’s face can remind you of a time you felt really hurt by that person. Any negative memory paired with an undesired emotion can result in a “trigger” point and false belief about one’s value. When the brain perceives danger it automatically goes into overdrive, or what we call the “fight or fight” response. Born purely from self-protection our heart-rate increases, eyes dilate and super-powered hormones are released into the body. When it turns out to be only *perceived* threat, we have left-over stress hormones that not only make us fat, but make us feel awful. Under normal circumstances, we have less “real” threat in our modern civilized society than we did millions of years ago. Without laws and cities to keep real threat at bay, our ancestors needed that animalistic instantaneous response to danger so they could survive. Today, we have the luxury of well-secured city zoo’s if we want to encounter the kind of danger they lived with every day. That said, it’s important to remember that our brain is only doing it’s job and working very hard to protect us when we are awake and heal us when we are asleep. ### Our brain is always trying to heal itself As stated above, the brain at rest, is constantly reorganizing and cleaning house. So those “frozen” memories are sometimes pulled out of the DVD cabinet and viewed for processing as the brain tries to make sense of the experience. When a memory has been fully processed, it is transformed from traumatic memory to meaning memory (from episodic memory to semantic memory). REM sleep is a critical part of this transformation. The problem is the brain must completely down-regulate the neurotransmitter system in order to go into REM sleep and this is challenging when sorting through events that don’t make sense. Sometimes traumatic memories heal on their own this way. Sometimes we just have nightmares. Either way, the brain will continue to try to heal itself. [![accelerated healing EMDR](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/accelerated-healing-EMDR-300x300.jpg "accelerated healing EMDR | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/accelerated-healing-EMDR.jpg) EMDR therapy is one way these memories are healed quickly and intentionally. Instead of waiting on the natural healing, we consciously address and process the painful experience. While the treatment requires great effort and courage on behalf of the client, the results can be instantaneous and profound. Applying eye movements (or bi-lateral stimulation of the brain simulating REM), desensitizes the memory, experience or feeling. What has not yet happened in the encoding process occurs while we are awake and the emotional color of the memory begins to fade. What bothers someone at a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 can in 10 minutes only bother them at a 2. While it sounds too good to be true, [much research has proven](http://college-writers.com/how-to-write-research-paper/) EMDR to be the preferred treatment for PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder). EMDR does not erase the memory or make it never to have happened, it simply resets the emotional charge to neutral. This means instead of reliving horror movies with all the bells and whistles, we gain more objective distance from the event. Old triggers no longer have the power to make us react in ways inconsistent with who we are. A dog is just a dog and a loud sound is just a loud sound. The emotional color has been drained from the memory and reset to neutral or sometimes even to a more positive and empowering way of viewing the tragedy. We are then free to decide what we believe about ourselves from a place of peace instead of letting old memories color our view of self. For a deeper understanding of how EMDR works see my post [EMDR Explained](https://amyfullerphd.com/emdr-explained/ "EMDR Explained: The Who, What, Where and How of EMDR Therapy"). Or check out my scoopit! online magazine about [EMDR Therapy](http://www.scoop.it/t/emdr-therapy). [![Amy Square Headshot](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Amy-Square-Headshot-e1365228930423.png "Amy Square Headshot | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Amy-Square-Headshot-e1365228930423.png) Dr. Amy Fuller is a Certified EMDR Therapist and has a private practice in Houston Texas where she treats couples, children and survivors of trauma with EMDR. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6d17399acfd9b615dcc0b9c59c57e5ae8935bb0c93952030fbf48b72220e0445?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Amy Fuller PHD [See Full Bio](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) [ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) Sexuality Relationships Trauma [ ![social network 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](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd/) **Categories:** EMDR, trauma --- ### [New research on how men and women perceive negative emotions](https://amyfullerphd.com/new-research-on-how-men-and-women-perceive-negative-emotions/) **Published:** April 9, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** Most people are aware that men are from Mars and Women from Venus, metaphorically speaking, thanks to [Dr. Joh](http://www.marsvenus.com/ "MarsVenus.com")n Gray. When we put the genders together we sometimes end up with miscommunication, hurt feelings and relationship chaos. One particular solution some couples have resorted to is avoiding negative emotion altogether. It is the “ostrich-head in the sand” approach to [problem solving](http://pay4homework.com/cheating-in-education-numbers-and-tendencies-infographics/). However, [a recent study](http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/fam-26-2-236.pdf "Eye of the Beholder") conducted by a group from Harvard and Bryn Mawr College and recently published in the Journal of Family Psychology, sought to understand the workings of empathy on a deeper level. Findings suggest several interesting phenomenon regarding how men and women deal with each others negative feelings: [ Read more…](http://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/how-men-and-women-perceive-negative-emotions-differently-good-news-about-empathy-part-2/ "Men and Women and Negative Emotions") [CONTINUE READING](http://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/how-men-and-women-perceive-negative-emotions-differently-good-news-about-empathy-part-2/) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6d17399acfd9b615dcc0b9c59c57e5ae8935bb0c93952030fbf48b72220e0445?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Amy Fuller PHD [See Full Bio](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) [ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) Sexuality Relationships Trauma [ ![social network 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](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd/) **Categories:** Communication, Marriage --- ### [How Your Survival Instincts Keep You Asleep](https://amyfullerphd.com/how-your-survival-instincts-keep-you-asleep/) **Published:** June 8, 2026 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** Most of us don’t realize we’ve fallen asleep until something jolts us awake. It might be snapping at someone we love and not quite knowing why. Or realizing we’ve driven all the way home and don’t remember the drive. Or hearing ourselves say something sharp and thinking, *That didn’t sound like me.* Those moments aren’t just lapses in patience or attention. They’re signs we’re moving through our lives on autopilot—functioning, but not fully aware. Like being underwater without noticing the depth, we adjust to the pressure, reacting instead of choosing, defending instead of noticing. This is what it means to fall asleep to ourselves. Self-awareness is the practice of staying awake. It’s the willingness to notice what’s happening inside us—our thoughts, emotions, body responses, and impulses—*as they’re happening*, not after the damage is done. And while that sounds simple, it’s often deeply uncomfortable. Waking up means sensing the pressure, recognizing how deep we’ve gone, and seeing patterns we’d rather explain away, justify, or ignore. As [Dr. David Schnarch](https://www.crucible4points.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Living_at_the_Bottom_of_the_Ocean.pdf) wrote, *“You start to wake up and think you’re in a nightmare.”* Initially, waking up feels worse, not better, so it makes sense that we resist it. Furthermore, waking up to a nightmare prompts an urge to go back to sleep. [Read More…](https://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/self-awareness-staying-awake/) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6d17399acfd9b615dcc0b9c59c57e5ae8935bb0c93952030fbf48b72220e0445?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Amy Fuller PHD [See Full Bio](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) [ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) Sexuality Relationships Trauma [ ![social network 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](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd/) **Categories:** Self-Awareness, Self-Development --- ### [3 Ways to Make your Wedding Ceremony Meaningful](https://amyfullerphd.com/3-ways-to-make-your-wedding-ceremony-meaningful/) **Published:** May 5, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** It’s the day she dreamed of since she was a little girl hanging a pillowcase off the back of her head. So much thought has been put into this one event…not to mention dollars. Each detail is carefully planned from the way the wedding party stands to the meaning behind which flowers are in the brides bouquet. ## 1. Consider what you’re doing and what it means. [![unity candle](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/unity-candle-300x212.jpg "unity candle | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/unity-candle.jpg) A wedding is not a funeral. Some couples choose to use what is called a unity candle. After each of the mothers light an individual candle, the bride and groom use these flames to simultaneously light the center candle, called a unity candle. THEN THEY BLOW OUT THEIR OWN CANDLE as if to extinguish their own life and live solely as one! ![ice skate 2](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ice-skate-2-200x300.jpg) The idea of “becoming one” is not the issue. It is a good and beautiful thing as “two become one” in marriage. This is part of the reason we do choose to marry, because it feels good to be unified with another person. We are created for this kind of secure connection. Something deep inside of us longs to share our lives with another person in perfect harmony. Consider how two ice skaters move together in perfect symmetry. It appears they are the same in mind, body and soul…and this beauty somehow dismisses, however temporarily, the loneliness that tends to linger from time to time. Even happily married folks feel lonely sometimes. Unfortunately, real life does not look like the ice skating rink. We do move together sometimes, but we most often move in our own style. We are constantly battling the drive to be connected and the drive to be separate. *We must maintain our individuality in order for real intimacy to occur.* What is crafted during a wedding is not “one” but a mystical “three.” The mysterious quality of the oneness is similar to that observed in the Christian Trinity as God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are “one” but also “three.” ## \#2. Think about what you’re promising in a realistic way Do NOT promise to make each other happy! Sometimes when couples choose unique vows they will commit to make their spouse happy saying “I promise to make you happy…” This is simply not possible. A wife cannot be made happy by her husband unless she chooses to respond with happiness. [Most people get married because they believe it will make them happy.](http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationships/promise-you-cant-keep-marriage) It is true, sometimes being married can improve one’s happiness, but it’s because they are two people who know how to create and experience happiness as individuals. ## \#3. Be present with your future spouse. Don’t let the guests matter more than the groom! I made this mistake when I walked down the aisle 25 years ago. Opting against the traditional, “Here Comes the bride,” I had chosen and carefully choreographed coming down the aisle to the Triumphal Wedding March from the opera Aida. When I walked down the aisle it was more like walking the red carpet. A theater person in my former life, I didn’t mind being the center of attention. The problem was I forgot to first make eye contact with my soon-to-be husband who was so anxiously waiting for me to join him at the altar. Instead of connecting with him, I smiled out at friends and family and even reached out to touch a few. My eyes did meet his as I got closer to the front, but he wished I had focused on him sooner. Luckily, it didn’t make any difference in the long run…since he is still the love of my life! The opposite can also cause a lack of connection with groom or wife. Most people actually feel quite uncomfortable being the center of attention and are so overwrought with anxiety that they miss some of the magical moments. Filled with worry and insecurity, the time seems to either drag on forever or becomes just a huge swift blur. The anxiety of all the eyes of the guests steal the joy and gift of the present moment. Luckily, most brides and grooms have videos of the ceremony so these particular moments remain present over the years. Sometimes, brides and grooms are simply distracted. It’s easy to get caught up in the details and miss what really matters. With so many details to attend to it is important for brides and grooms to remain present with each other during the ceremony. This means maintaining eye contact, especially during the vows. Being present means practicing mindful awareness during the event itself…being in the moment with your spouse instead of in the moment with your wedding planner. ![Amy Square Headshot](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Amy-Square-Headshot-e1365228930423.png "Amy Square Headshot | Amy Fuller PhD") So whether you are getting married soon or in the day-to-day of marital life…do yourselves a favor and give yourself and your partner a present as you present yourselves to each other with presence. Dr. Fuller offers [pre-marital counseling](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/marriage-therapy/ "Marriage Therapy") at her private practice in Houston Texas. A discounted premarital therapy package is also available through [Fuller Life Family Therapy](http://premaritalcounselinghouston.org). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6d17399acfd9b615dcc0b9c59c57e5ae8935bb0c93952030fbf48b72220e0445?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Amy Fuller PHD [See Full Bio](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) [ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) Sexuality Relationships Trauma [ ![social network 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](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd/) **Categories:** Marriage --- ### [How a Green Light Practice Can Change the Way you Talk, Feel and Love](https://amyfullerphd.com/green-light-practice/) **Published:** March 18, 2015 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** ![couple on couch](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/couple-on-couch-300x200.jpg "couple on couch | Amy Fuller PhD") Many of the couples I work with say their number one problem is communication. Usually the real problem is learning to stay calm when conversing with each other, especially if the topic is a “touchy” one. Sadly, it doesn’t take much to turn a loving person into one who doesn’t act loving at all. We can go from asking a simple question to name-calling to shaming in only seconds. And once one person says something awful, the other feels justified saying something hurtful back. Does this couple have a problem communicating? Maybe. What they do have is a need to find new ways to manage themselves. ### **[![green traffic light](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/green-traffic-light-107x300.png "green traffic light | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/green-traffic-light.png)One Simple Skill** Here’s one simple skill that can change your life and your relationship–I call it ***Green Light Practice***. Imagine a traffic light over the center core of your body. The green light centers around the abdomen area, the yellow light in the chest and the red light around the neck area. This symbol or image helps you stay connected with your internal experience and helps you navigate the conversation more effectively. ### **![Screenshot 2015-02-28 15.46.48](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Screenshot-2015-02-28-15.46.48.png "Screenshot 2015-02-28 15.46.48 | Amy Fuller PhD")Green is the Goal** The goal when communicating with someone you love is to ***stay green***. What this means is you are open to hear whatever is said and calm enough to speak clearly in response. In green you are able to *speak without offending and listen without defending*. The lines of communication remain open in green. The breath expands and releases from the abdomen and the body is at ease. In green you have the: - strength to stand firm when the other pushes your boundaries - grounding to hold onto yourself when you need to comfort yourself - openness to consider the experience of the other and how your behavior affects them - courage to communicate what you desire, no matter how the other reacts - resolve to keep wanting what you want instead of withdrawing, pouting, or punishing when you feel rejected or hurt. ### **![Screenshot 2015-02-28 15.47.40](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Screenshot-2015-02-28-15.47.40.png "Screenshot 2015-02-28 15.47.40 | Amy Fuller PhD")Yellow means Pause** *Going yellow* means the breath has moved up into the chest and you are beginning to feel anxious, angry or attacked. The chest tightens, the breath shortens and anxiety rises. If you’ve gone yellow you may not be able to hear what your partner is trying to say, much less be able to understand them. Your ability to stand firm, respond with kindness and communicate clearly is now compromised. Yellow means you’re in the dangerous waters of saying or doing something that you’ll later regret. When you go yellow…pause, self soothe, take a deep breath, re-center in your own way. Make an effort to move back down to green. Sometimes you may need to let the person you’re talking to know that you are feeling yellow. An added bonus is you are the one who most accurately reports your internal signals so there’s no arguing about your experience. On the other hand, only you can keep yourself in check. Ask for a moment to take a breath and reset back to center. ### **Red means Stop![Screenshot 2015-02-28 15.47.41](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Screenshot-2015-02-28-15.47.41.png "Screenshot 2015-02-28 15.47.41 | Amy Fuller PhD")** When you’ve *gone red* the emotional thermometer has hit the top of the scale. You are angry, irrational, and may resort to old and ineffective patterns of relating. You’ve lost control and are about to have a head-on collision with a person you claim to love. If you are red and you’re still talking you are definitely going to say things that will hurt the other person and make you feel awful in the end. *(Unless making your spouse feel worse makes you feel better…but that’s another post.)* ![stop-wait-go-traffic lights](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/stop-wait-go-traffic-lights-189x300.jpg "stop-wait-go-traffic lights | Amy Fuller PhD") When you have gone red it’s time to take a timeout…come to a FULL STOP. Ideally, you can calm yourself down without having to completely disengage from the conversation. What we know from neurology is that when we’ve gone red we are no longer using the higher level parts of our brain. We are relying on the instinctual protective elements of our mid to lower brains, the same areas that we have in common with mammals and reptiles. If you are red, STOP, let your partner know you’ve gone red and take a break. *So how do we keep ourselves from acting like skunks or snakes?* ### **Practice.** Learning to stay green is a skill like any other skill you might try to master…it requires practice. *It means being in touch with what’s happening in your body, being aware of your emotional state and monitoring your behaviors.* Like most aspects of life, effort matters more than perfection. **So** **when you go red, may you have the humility to apologize, the courage to try again and the wisdom to do better next time.** *Stay tuned for part two of this post: Tips for Staying Green…* #### [![Amy Fuller Headshot Nov 2014-large](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Amy-Fuller-Headshot-Nov-2014-large-150x150.jpg "Amy Fuller Headshot Nov 2014-large | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Amy-Fuller-Headshot-Nov-2014-large.jpg)[Amy Fuller PhD](https://amyfullerphd.com) [Amy Fuller PhD](http://college-writers.com/our-writers/) is a licensed [Marriage and Family Therapist ](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/marriage-therapy/ "Marriage Therapy")in Houston Texas and the Clinical Director of the [Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute.](http://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org) Want More? Check out my [Amazon List of Marriage Books](http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Fuller-s-Best-Marriage-Books/lm/R3SQ9U5SB37M0Y/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full) and List of [Marriage Tools](https://amyfullerphd.com/marriagetools/ "Tools for Building a Great Marriage") ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6d17399acfd9b615dcc0b9c59c57e5ae8935bb0c93952030fbf48b72220e0445?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Amy Fuller PHD [See Full Bio](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) [ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) Sexuality Relationships Trauma [ ![social network 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](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd/) **Categories:** Communication, Intimacy, Marriage, mindfulness, Self-Managment, Self-Soothing **Tags:** calm communication, communication, green light practice, listening skills, mindful communication, self-management, self-soothe --- ### [Seven Reasons to get Help for your Marriage before it's too Late](https://amyfullerphd.com/sevenreasonstogethelpforyourmarriage/) **Published:** April 1, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Excerpt:** Some people describe insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If you’ve tried to change your relationship in many different ways, but keep getting stuck in the same mess, then it’s time to reach out for help from a professional Marriage Therapist. **Content:** ## **If you have real concerns about the health of your marriage, here are 7 reasons to begin [Marriage Counseling](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/marriage-therapy/ "Marriage Therapy") NOW!** ## 1. **If you haven’t been able to improve the relationship on your own, it’s time to try something different.** Some people describe insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If you’ve tried to change your relationship in many different ways, but keep getting stuck in the same mess, then it’s time to reach out for help from a professional Marriage Therapist. Relationship counseling works best with both people involved, but even individual therapy can change the nature of a relationship. ## 2. **If your relationship needs professional help, now is better than l**ater. So often couples present for marriage therapy about five years too late. Then the call to a marriage professional is the direct result of one person dropping the “D” word or there’s been an affair. Just like a garden that is not tended will grow out of control or die, a relationship that is not nurtured and cared for properly will most likely deteriorate. Marriages do not take care of themselves. If they are taken for granted or ignored, weeds grow and hurt abounds. [Seek help](http://college-writers.com/) before the weeds take over your relationship garden. ## 3. You always call a doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen. Growing and maintaining a healthy relationship is like staying healthy physically. If you want to have a healthy body, then directed and purposeful effort is required to get into and stay in shape physically. Relationships are the same. They must be nurtured, fed and maintained in order to grow. If your marriage is out of shape, seek a marriage expert to help you bring it back to health. Hoping things will get better is not the same as improving them. ## 4. **Take advantage of the current crisis to achieve the change you desire.** Going to therapy is an excellent way to transform a current struggle into a new and better relationship. You may have heard that sometimes you take two steps back and one step forward. However, a new step in the right direction can change the dance altogether and for the long run. Once the crisis has passed, couples are less likely to take the brave plunge into counseling, even though the underlying issues are most often not resolved. ## 5. **Ignoring problems does not make them go away.** Sometimes people fear being open about negative feelings will cause irreparable damage to the relationship. But how does hiding true feelings about valid concerns help the marriage? There is a chance these hurts will resolve in time, but at what cost? When it comes to close relationships, open closeness always feels better in the long run. With love, healing is always possible! ## 6. **It’s easier** to ride a tricycle than a bicycle. Tough negative feelings can sometimes add instability to an already strained relationship. A two-wheeled bicycle is not stable if one hasn’t learned how to ride well. Adding a marriage professional to the experience provides a stable third wheel so the couple can learn to navigate difficult issues without too much bruising. ## 7. Therapy is cheaper than divorce! If you talk to anyone who’s been through a divorce the cost is much greater than the decree’s bottom line. Ending what was hoped to last a lifetime hurts on so many levels. If something in you says your relationship may not last, please do yourself (and your family) a favor and seek help from a marriage and family therapist today! When looking for a marriage therapist, work to ensure they are either licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) by their state OR they have extensive training in working within relationships. Furthermore, when you find a therapist that makes you just slightly uncomfortable, you’ve found a great therapist. Great therapists are more concerned about helping you achieve the change you desire than making you feel good about yourself or creating a safe space for the relationship. They care enough to be honest and help you be honest even if it means you might not come back. Marriage therapy is not for the weak of heart. It requires great courage, strength and tenacity to address difficult issues in the relationship and that doesn’t usually make people feel safe…the point is to help you get stronger. #### How do you choose a marriage therapist [Request an appointment with Dr. Fuller today](https://amyfullerphd.com/request-an-appointment/ "Request an Appointment")! Find out about Dr. Fuller’s [Approach](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/marriage-therapy/ "Marriage Therapy"), [Hours and Fees](https://amyfullerphd.com/about/hours-insurance/ "Hours, Insurance & Fees") or [Location.](https://amyfullerphd.com/about/location/ "Location") [![](http://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2040fd8-150x150.jpg "Therapist Family Counseling Marriage Counseling")](http://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2040fd8.jpg) [DR. AMY FULLER, LMFT, LPC](https://amyfullerphd.com/) [1 (832) 832-0870](tel:+18328480870) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6d17399acfd9b615dcc0b9c59c57e5ae8935bb0c93952030fbf48b72220e0445?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Amy Fuller PHD [See Full Bio](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) [ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) Sexuality Relationships Trauma [ ![social network 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](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd/) **Categories:** Communication, Marriage --- ### [Help Me Prevent Child Abuse](https://amyfullerphd.com/help-me-prevent-child-abuse/) **Published:** August 1, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** ### The facts about Child Abuse in America are astounding. ### This infographic was graciously provided by Rachel Schumacher with Instant Checkmate [сialis generique](http://www.cialisgeneriquefr24.com/) a company that provides public data online to raise awareness. ### Scroll down to the bottom to see how you can [help me make a difference for children in Texas today](https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/amyfuller/walk-to-action-2014%20)! [![child-abuse-in-america](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/child-abuse-in-america.jpg "child-abuse-in-america | Amy Fuller PhD")](http://blog.instantcheckmate.com/child-abuse-in-america-a-hidden-killer/) ### [![Walk to Action Logo](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Screen-Shot-2014-08-01-at-10.33.46-AM-300x230.png "Walk to Action Logo | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/amyfuller/walk-to-action-2014) Each November for the past 6 years I have participated in a life-changing TWENTY-MILE walk with Prevent Child Abuse Texas. I see so much strength and pain in the lives of survivors I work with in my therapy practice. This is one way that I can begin to prevent, rather than heal, the effects of child abuse in our world today. ### Check out m[y page for Walk to Action with Prevent Child Abuse Texas for 2014](https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/amyfuller/walk-to-action-2014%20). Thanks! Amy Fuller Watch this 2 minute video on Walk to Action to learn more… \[pb\_vidembed title=”” caption=”” url=”http://vimeo.com/102041064″ type=”vem” w=”480″ h=”385″\] ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6d17399acfd9b615dcc0b9c59c57e5ae8935bb0c93952030fbf48b72220e0445?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Amy Fuller PHD [See Full Bio](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) [ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) Sexuality Relationships Trauma [ ![social network 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](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd/) **Categories:** Child Abuse, trauma **Tags:** child abuse, children, prevention, trauma, walk to action --- ### [How a Surprising Gift Changed the Meaning of Christmas](https://amyfullerphd.com/how-a-surprising-gift-changed-the-meaning-of-christmas/) **Published:** December 22, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** ![IMG_2349](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IMG_23491-200x300.jpg "IMG_2349 | Amy Fuller PhD") Although she did not mention anything to me about it, she was quite purposeful in choosing this very special gift. While her 10-year-old brother and I were busy gathering the decorations, she was planning the perfect final touch to my office holiday décor…two small ceramic turtles. I’m not sure how a 7-year-old girl connects turtles with Christmas, but she did and it has become a true symbol of inspiration for me this season. **My Undoing** It was a late Monday night early in December. We had a tree to decorate and wreaths to hang. My two children acted as helper elves quietly spreading holiday joy in unexpected places…such as the bright Christmas balls spread out like Easter eggs all over the office. Regrettably, I spent most of my time undoing the disorderly way they had arranged the tinsel. I was so busy I didn’t even notice the two small turtles on the coffee table until the next morning. Sadly, I was more focused on being productive than being present. **Present VS. Productive** It seems the whole world turns into a giant rabbit chase this time of year. We wrap up year-end obligations, plan and attend holiday parties and navigate the overwhelming commercialism of the season. What might it look like to slow down when the world is spinning? How could we learn to be both present and productive? ![IMG_2343](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IMG_2343-200x300.jpg "IMG_2343 | Amy Fuller PhD") **One Simple Practice** These two small turtles have become a “slowing down” trigger for me these last few weeks. When I see them each day I practice slowing my speech, my pace, and my breath. Two tiny turtles are now a daily signal to slow down and shift inside toward an experience of serenity. **Constructing Connection** In this simple mindful practice, new meaning is ascribed to a symbol or everyday behavior. Bridging the great divide between the physical and meta-physical realm, it is like the staircase in a two-story house where all the daily physical activities occur on the bottom floor and [the higher-level](http://college-writers.com/writing-help/) activities happen on the top floor. Here of some examples of how making new meaning out of everyday behavior can change the experience altogether: • brushing teeth becomes a reminder to speak kindly to others • getting dressed becomes clothing oneself in gentleness and compassion • taking a shower becomes an inner cleansing and releasing With simplistic awareness, these daily activities are suddenly transformed into a spiritual practice. Symbols can be powerful reminders to add meaning, joy, gratitude, spirituality and compassion to our lives. Sometimes the connections are already there, but not by choice. We are often caught off guard by reminders of painful experiences. A helpful exercise I use in my work with survivors of trauma and loss is to identify and name negative sensory triggers. Sounds, smells, sights, and images can bring back a painful memory in an instant. Sometimes the holiday season is challenging for this very reason. Or sometimes it is the happy memories that hurt as we are reminded of those no longer with us. **Creating Competition** ![IMG_2010](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IMG_2010-300x200.jpg "IMG_2010 | Amy Fuller PhD") Because of our drive to survive, the brain is wired to be constantly on guard. Usually triggers associated with pain get our brain’s undivided attention, but what if we create competition….like turtles do at Christmastime? The turtle represents slowing down in the midst of the everyday hustle and bustle. Truths are often packaged in paradox. What if we intentionally chose to connect with ourselves in ways that create comfort instead of chaos? Here are some basic steps: 1\. Identify an activity you do regularly OR an object/symbol you see or use regularly. 2\. Consider how this activity affects your day or the lives of others. What connections can you draw between the activity, object or symbol and gratitude or spirituality? How does the activity, object or symbol have implicit meaning that can remind you to be present, kind, grateful or connect to your own personal values? 3\. Write down some possible meanings you could connect to the activity or symbol. If you are stuck…ask a friend for help. 4\. Practice it! Notice what you notice and revise. Then practice again… I wonder what competition you might use to invite yourself to be more present with yourself and those you love this season. How might you more fully enjoy the moment-to-moment gifts that really matter in the next year? Surprisingly, I’ve been invited by two small turtles to mindfully slow down in the coming year. Whatever your situation, may you discover gift in the simplest of things. May symbols of joy, peace and gratitude carry you into the next year with hope, comfort and love. Warmly, Amy Fuller PhD ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6d17399acfd9b615dcc0b9c59c57e5ae8935bb0c93952030fbf48b72220e0445?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Amy Fuller PHD [See Full Bio](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) [ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) Sexuality Relationships Trauma [ ![social network 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](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd/) **Categories:** mindfulness --- ### [20 Reasons We Need to be Talking about Child Abuse](https://amyfullerphd.com/20-reasons-to-talk-about-child-abuse-texas/) **Published:** April 30, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** Most of us don’t like to think about bad things happening to children. The reality: it happens. Child abuse is happening right now, in this moment, and in homes where we do not expect it to occur. The global impact of child abuse and neglect is astounding. ### Is talking enough? Each April, we do stop to talk about child abuse with [Child Abuse Prevention Month.](https://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/) Maybe talk is not enough, but it is one of our main lines of defense in the battle to prevent child abuse and neglect. One reason the public is not fully informed is because [“73% of child victims do not tell anyone about the abuse for at least a year and 45% of victims do not tell anyone for at least 5 years.”](http://cachouston.org/child-sexual-abuse-facts/) When our society talks about the reality of abuse more openly, we increase the likelihood that this number will go down and these children will courageously speak up. ### 20 Ways Child Abuse Impacts our World 1. According to national statistics **13,700** children are abused and neglected every day in the United States 2. A report of abuse or neglect is made every **11 seconds**. 3. In Texas, more than **135 children** are abused or neglected **each day**. 4. On average, **5 children died** from child abuse or neglect in Texas **each week** in 2012. 5. Abused and neglected children are **53%** more likely to be arrested as a juvenile & **38%** more likely to be arrested as an adult. 6. It is estimated that the costs of child abuse and neglect to society exceeds **$100 billion** per year. 7. Anyone who files a child abuse report, in good faith and without malice, is immune from civil or criminal liability. 8. Of **826,000 confirmed cases** in the US, 58.4% suffered neglect, 21.3% suffered physical abuse and 11.3% were sexually abused. 9. Children younger than a year old account for 42.6% of the fatalities, and 86.1% are younger than 6 years of age. 10. Suspected child abuse should be reported to the nearest Child Protective Service Office, to the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline (800.252.5400), or to local law enforcement officials. 11. **60% of prostitutes** were sexually abused as children. 12. 90% of convicted murderers were physically abused as children. 13. Each day in the US, **689 babies** are born with inadequate prenatal care. 14. The United States spends **$258 million each day** as a direct (costs associated with the immediate needs of abused and neglected children) and indirect (costs associated with long-term/secondary effects of abuse and neglect) result of the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children. 15. The annual cost of Child Abuse is equivalent to $1,461.66 per U.S. family. 16. 60-80% of adult drug or alcohol abusers have a history of abuse in their childhood. 17. Parents continue to be the main perpetrators of child maltreatment. Approximately 87% of all victims are maltreated by at least one parent. The most common pattern of maltreatment (45%) was a child victimized by a female parent acting alone. 18. In Texas in 2004, parents were the alleged perpetrators in **77%** of confirmed cases of child abuse or neglect. 19. **84%** of sexual victimization of children under age 12 occurs in a residence. Even older children are most likely to be assaulted in a residence. 71% of sexual assaults on children age 12-17 occur in a residence (Snyder, 2000). 20. Failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect is punishable by imprisonment of up to 180 days and/or a fine of up to $1,000. ### 10 Small Ways You Can Make an Impact 1. Volunteer at a [local child abuse prevention organization](http://www.onewithcourage.org/find-a-center/) as a [child advocate](http://texascasa.org). 2. Join the 20-mile [Walk-to-Action](http://www.walktoaction.org/?CID=63) for [Prevent Child Abuse Texas](http://www.preventchildabusetexas.org). [November 1st, 2014 will be my 6th consecutive year](https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/amyfuller/walk-to-action-2013) to make this 20 mile journey through beautiful San Antonio, TX with one aim-ending child abuse. 3. [Find events](http://cachouston.org/third-party-events/) [in your area](http://www.onewithcourage.org/find-a-center/) the promote awareness about child abuse. 4. [Donate funds to a local organization](http://www.childadvocates.org/give) to support efforts to raise awareness and prevent abuse. 5. Purchase items using [Amazon Smile ](https://smile.amazon.com)and have a portion of the purchase donated to the charity of your choice. 6. Like a child abuse prevention organization on Facebook and share with your friends. - [One with Courage on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/OneWithCourage) - [Prevent Child Abuse Texas on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PreventChildAbuseTexas%20) - [Prevent Child Abuse America on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prevent-Child-Abuse-America/14893558501?ref=br_rs) - [Blue Sunday Child Abuse Prevention on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/bluesundaykids?ref=br_rs) - [Darkness to Light on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/DarknessToLight) - [Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Childrens-Advocacy-Centers-of-Texas-Inc/195923559658) - [National Children’s Alliance on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/NationalChildrensAlliance) 7. Join the [Darkness to Light Movement ](http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.8563741/k.1967/Join_the_Movement_to_End_Child_Sexual_Abuse.htm)to end child abuse. 8. [Get informed about how to protect your children or those you know from abuse](http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm) and learn about the common [signs and symptoms](http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm) of abuse. 9. [Make a report ](https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/rl_dsp.cfm?rs_id=5&rate_chno=W-00082)if you suspect a child is or has been abused. 10. Share this information on Facebook or Twitter with your friends. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6d17399acfd9b615dcc0b9c59c57e5ae8935bb0c93952030fbf48b72220e0445?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Amy Fuller PHD [See Full Bio](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) [ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/author/amy-fuller-phd/) Sexuality Relationships Trauma [ ![social network 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](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd/) **Categories:** Child Abuse, trauma --- ## Pages ### [Home](https://amyfullerphd.com/) **Published:** April 9, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** ## **Couples, Trauma** ## **and Sex Therapy** Direct and compassionate therapy to help you be a better you [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) We want our life to have meaning and purpose. We want to thrive, live fully awake and enjoy our relationships. In spite of our best efforts or intentions, sometimes we hit gridlock and don’t know how to move forward. When this happens a tendency can be to avoid, live in fear, isolation or dread and not really enjoy our lives or loved ones. This fuels hopelessness and uncertainty about how to face the fear, pain or difficulty. As a Crucible Therapist, providing couples, trauma and sex therapy with 30 years experience, I know how hard it is to face these difficulties. I have the unique honor of walking alongside brave and courageous individuals and couples as they strive to become better than they are, overcome what feels overwhelming, become who they dare dream of becoming and develop the strength to love well. ![Cozy indoor seating area with plush armchairs and a view through large windows.](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Dr.AmysTherapyOffice.jpg "Dr.AmysTherapyOffice | Amy Fuller PhD")Purple Therapy Office[Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) ## Step One: Reach Connect via phone, email or the request an appointment form. ## Step Two: Grow Meet together, face the difficulty and grow. ## Step Three: Live Live free and awake having addressed the difficulty. - [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Amy-Fuller-PhD-Couples-Therapy-300x105.png "| Amy Fuller PhD") Couples Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy__trashed/marriage-therapy/) - [![Couple sitting on a couch looking upset and avoiding eye contact.](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/canstockphoto4191559-e1365486622716-300x144.jpg "canstockphoto4191559 | Amy Fuller PhD") Sex Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/sex/) - [![Two people engaged in a thoughtful conversation on a couch.](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ind-canstockphoto49479770-300x200.jpg "ind canstockphoto49479770 | Amy Fuller PhD") Individual Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/individual-therapy/) - [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/RapidHealingthroughEMDR-and-DEepstate1-e1631508101826-300x110.png "RapidHealingthroughEMDR and DEepstate | Amy Fuller PhD") EMDR Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/emdr-therapy/) - [![Amy Fuller PhD, Crucible Therapist, Couples, Sex and Trauma Therapy in Houston TX, Somatic EMDR, Natural Processing Crucible Therapist. Couples intensive Therapy couples intensive treatment](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/couples-intensive-300x149.jpg "couples intensive | Amy Fuller PhD") Couples Intensive Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/couples-intensive-treatment/) - [![A woman holds a sign saying 'You Are Not Alone' during a video call with a man.](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Teletherapy-300x199.jpg "Teletherapy | Amy Fuller PhD") Telehealth](https://amyfullerphd.com/informed-consent-to-telemental-health/) lmlom ## “You don’t have to live in a state of fear or struggle. If you are brave enough to reach out, you will have taken the first step toward freedom and waking up to a full life. You’ve created the possibility of change and growth to become a better you.” --- ### [Crucible Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/crucible-therapy/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** Amy Fuller **Content:** Crucible Therapy## A different way to grow your relationship and yourself **A growth-based approach to couples and sex therapy, developed by Dr. David Schnarch** [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) ![Family of three smiling outdoors, representing growth and connection through Crucible Therapy.](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/qtq80-xjNBev.jpeg "qtq80-xjNBev | Amy Fuller PhD") \#image\_title ### A People-Growing Approach Most approaches see conflict as the problem. Crucible sees conflict as the starting point. --- ## *Crucible Therapy holds an entirely different view on relationships than most traditional approaches to couples and sex therapy.* ## **Grow, Don’t Just Cope** Conflict and desire problems aren’t proof something’s broken. Often, they’re a sign something in you is ready to develop. ## **Hold Onto Yourself** Real intimacy means staying close to your partner without losing yourself in the process. ## **Harness the Best in You** Sessions speak to your strength and integrity, not your needs and wounds. “Sexual desire problems are not evidence that something has gone wrong. They are evidence that the people-growing machine is working.” ***— Dr. David Schnarch, *Constructing the Sexual Crucible**** ## How Is Crucible Therapy Different? ### Growth over Comfort Many approaches aim to reduce conflict and increase emotional safety. Crucible Therapy treats discomfort as part of the process, not something to avoid. ### Differentiation not Compromise The goal isn’t meeting in the middle. It’s becoming someone who can stay close to your partner while still being fully yourself. ### Self-Confrontation Over Blame You’ll be asked to look honestly at your own part, not just your partner’s. ### A Higher Level of Intensity Sessions are direct by design. Real change often asks more of you than comfortable conversation does. ## Common Questions About Crucible Therapy **What is Crucible Therapy?** An approach to couples and sex therapy developed by Dr. David Schnarch, focused on personal growth and differentiation rather than communication skills. Most people are actually quite good at communication, they just struggle to tolerate the message. Crucible helps each client develop a deeper capacity for relational intimacy and personal integrity. How is this different from normal couples therapy? Many approaches focus on reducing conflict and increasing emotional safety. Crucible Therapy sees conflict and discomfort as part of how people and relationships grow. We focus on helping each person develop in 4 ways: 1. helping each person be more clear on who they are, 2. how to better self-regulate, 3. how to stay grounded when in contact with their partner, and 4. how to keep doing these things when it gets really hard. **Is the Crucible approach right for me?** It may be a good fit if you’ve tried traditional therapy without lasting change, you’re facing a desire discrepancy or sexual difficulty, or you’re ready to look honestly at your own part in the relationship. **What happens in a Crucible Therapy session?** Sessions are direct, yet compassionate. You’ll be asked to take a look at your own behavior, and talk about what really happens in your relationship and your bedroom. You’ll meet a therapist who can see you and tell you what she sees, with a hope that you will grow self-respect through honest self-examination. **What does a Crucible Therapist do?** A Crucible therapist works collaboratively with both partners. Part of the work is watching for what’s called the elicitation window, the moments when something real is right at the surface and ready to be worked with. Couples often run into two-choice dilemmas, places where there’s no easy answer and a real choice has to be made between two different paths forward. Throughout, the therapist aims to speak to the best in each person, the part capable of more than their stuck patterns suggest, and help that part take the lead. **Will you take sides with my partner?** A Crucible therapist works with both partners, not for one against the other. That said, staying collaborative doesn’t mean staying neutral about what’s actually happening. If something needs to be named, it gets named, even when it’s uncomfortable, because that honesty is part of how change happens. **What is Crucible Neurobiological Therapy** Crucible Neurobiological Therapy is the extension of the Crucible Approach, developed by Dr. Schnarch in his later years. It brings interpersonal neurobiology into the clinical work, focusing on how the brain regulates connection, regression, and growth in close relationships through mind mapping. It builds on the same foundation of differentiation and self-confrontation, with a deeper focus on what’s happening in the brain during moments of conflict, intimacy, and change. CNT is based on material from Brain talk on traumatic mind mapping and regression from [Living at the bottom of the ocean. ](https://www.crucible4points.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Living_at_the_Bottom_of_the_Ocean.pdf) [![Amy Fuller crucible instructor Amy Fuller PhD, Crucible Therapist, Couples, Sex and Trauma Therapy in Houston TX, Somatic EMDR, Natural Processing](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/amyfullerphd2015-683x1024.jpg "amyfullerphd2015 | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/about-dr-amy-fuller/) How it changed me first## My journey with Crucible Therapy **I had the honor to study with Dr. David Schnarch from 2012 until his passing in 2020. Not only did this training change the way I do therapy, it completely transformed my marriage, my parenting, and how I relate to myself**. **I continue to train and grow in the use of this model. This way of framing how people grow, what gets them stuck, and what freedom looks like is central to how I work with clients and how I provide training and supervision to other therapists.** - Trained with Dr. Schnarch, 2012-2020 - Crucible Group Consultation, 2016 to present - AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Supervisor, 2015 to present [Crucible Therapy Introductory Course taught by Dr. Amy Fuller](https://amyfullerphd.com/crucibletraining/) ## What Crucible Therapy Asks of You [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) ## Grow yourself up instead of depending on your partner You’ll be invited to notice what you actually think, feel, and want, even when it’s easier to just go along with your partner. This is the work Dr. Schnarch called holding onto yourself: knowing who you are, especially under pressure to conform. You’ll build the capacity to stay calm and grounded, instead of needing your partner to manage your reaction for you. ## Pay attention to what’s happening in your partner’s mind, and yours You’re already doing this more than you realize. The human brain is wired to track what the people closest to us are thinking, feeling, and intending, something Dr. Schnarch called mind mapping. Crucible Therapy helps you use this ability well, instead of letting it become a source of anxiety or a weapon. ![Man standing on a rocky shoreline as waves crash around him, representing resilience and growth through Crucible Therapy."](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/qtq80-oD84MF.jpeg "qtq80-oD84MF | Amy Fuller PhD") ## Notice how you have survived and believe in yourself to outgrow it. Old patterns of relating often got built for a different reason than the one you need now. This work helps you see those patterns clearly, so you can choose something different instead of repeating them on autopilot. Dr. Schnarch called these Regressions, sudden collapsing of brain functioning. Crucible therapy helps you connect in a way that nurtures integrity and the best in you. ## Talk about the hard stuff even when you don’t really want to Cruelty, affairs, deception, punishment, and long-standing resentment don’t get avoided here. They get named directly, with respect, so you and your partner can actually deal with what’s real instead of avoiding it. Types of crucible therapy [#### **Couples Therapy** Crucible-based couples therapy for partners ready to grow together. Learn More](https://amyfullerphd.com/marriage-therapy/) [#### **Sex Therapy** Addressing desire discrepancy and sexual difficulty through a growth-based lens. Learn More](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog/sex-therapy/) [#### **Couples Intensive Therapy** A focused, multi-day format for couples wanting faster movement. Learn More](https://amyfullerphd.com/couples-intensive-treatment/) [#### **Individual Therapy** Designed to address trauma and improve one’s relationship with oneself. Learn More](https://amyfullerphd.com/individual-therapy/) “Holding onto yourself doesn’t just mean you won’t settle for less from your partner; it means you won’t settle for less from yourself.” ***— Dr. David Schnarch, *Passionate Marriage**** ## Want to know more? Check out Dr. Scharch’s books [![Cover of the book'Passionate Marriage' by David Schnarch, PhD, featuring a small black-and-white profile photo and a subtitle about love and intimacy in committed relationships.](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Passionate-Marriage-Dr-David-Schnarch.png "Passionate Marriage - Dr David Schnarch | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://www.amazon.com/Passionate-Marriage-Intimacy-Committed-Relationships/dp/0393334279/ref=pd_sbs_d_sccl_1_1/132-6373488-7835950?pd_rd_w=KP1PU&content-id=amzn1.sym.aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_p=aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_r=239G9WQ4JNFV4CK1NBZ8&pd_rd_wg=nYo9X&pd_rd_r=2c1a0658-1e03-4258-9ed0-f306af8302e3&pd_rd_i=0393334279&psc=1)[Passionate Marriage](https://www.amazon.com/Passionate-Marriage-Intimacy-Committed-Relationships/dp/0393334279/ref=pd_sbs_d_sccl_1_1/132-6373488-7835950?pd_rd_w=KP1PU&content-id=amzn1.sym.aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_p=aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_r=239G9WQ4JNFV4CK1NBZ8&pd_rd_wg=nYo9X&pd_rd_r=2c1a0658-1e03-4258-9ed0-f306af8302e3&pd_rd_i=0393334279&psc=1) [![Book cover for Intimacy & Desire by Dr. David Schnarch, with clasped hands above the title and subtitle'Awaken the Passion in Your Relationship'.](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Intimacy-and-Desire-Dr-David-Schnarch.png "Intimacy and Desire - Dr David Schnarch | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://www.amazon.com/Intimacy-Desire-Relationship-Schnarch-1987-03-06/dp/B0184WXO12/ref=sr_1_11?crid=39GFRHCL5O41P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.O2uSXxhvuHTKTlQWEuiqFNQcblH4ex_suIw7mzQOnS0QUI6tWLpXKdx4lQZVVM6hgxKATyFnuKX4u7TwmA0a6lfxvo_5UDR4LOv-mgZ9sakeLbagba8SM6bQDi3ndLO--o3sDx3B5v82nP58QUn4CI6pcMmPTL_7byxot6ZxW9p714cAUWSgfkWt4Z6cFi0Qcq8Ibi1uCDyFx1ogtobkhqufp7DeHOMGisciDJw6yHk.a2WBn-bObPzQhbZ-SylAv1D9yrAe_KLLt9lf3NE8VQk&dib_tag=se&keywords=david+Schnarch&qid=1782200221&sprefix=david+schnarch%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-11)[Intimacy and Desire](https://www.amazon.com/Intimacy-Desire-Relationship-Schnarch-1987-03-06/dp/B0184WXO12/ref=sr_1_11?crid=39GFRHCL5O41P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.O2uSXxhvuHTKTlQWEuiqFNQcblH4ex_suIw7mzQOnS0QUI6tWLpXKdx4lQZVVM6hgxKATyFnuKX4u7TwmA0a6lfxvo_5UDR4LOv-mgZ9sakeLbagba8SM6bQDi3ndLO--o3sDx3B5v82nP58QUn4CI6pcMmPTL_7byxot6ZxW9p714cAUWSgfkWt4Z6cFi0Qcq8Ibi1uCDyFx1ogtobkhqufp7DeHOMGisciDJw6yHk.a2WBn-bObPzQhbZ-SylAv1D9yrAe_KLLt9lf3NE8VQk&dib_tag=se&keywords=david+Schnarch&qid=1782200221&sprefix=david+schnarch%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-11) [![Cover of David Schnarch, Ph.D.'s book 'Resurrecting Sex' featuring a close-up of a couple kissing and the subtitle 'Solving Sexual Problems & Revolutionizing Your Relationship'.](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Ressurecting-Sex-Dr-David-Schnarch.png "Ressurecting Sex - Dr David Schnarch | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://www.amazon.com/Resurrecting-Sex-Problems-Revolutionizing-Relationship-ebook/dp/B00ADQK966/ref=sr_1_3?crid=39GFRHCL5O41P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.O2uSXxhvuHTKTlQWEuiqFNQcblH4ex_suIw7mzQOnS0QUI6tWLpXKdx4lQZVVM6hgxKATyFnuKX4u7TwmA0a6lfxvo_5UDR4LOv-mgZ9sakeLbagba8SM6bQDi3ndLO--o3sDx3B5v82nP58QUn4CI6pcMmPTL_7byxot6ZxW9p714cAUWSgfkWt4Z6cFi0Qcq8Ibi1uCDyFx1ogtobkhqufp7DeHOMGisciDJw6yHk.a2WBn-bObPzQhbZ-SylAv1D9yrAe_KLLt9lf3NE8VQk&dib_tag=se&keywords=david+Schnarch&qid=1782200221&sprefix=david+schnarch%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-3)[Resurrecting Sex](https://www.amazon.com/Resurrecting-Sex-Problems-Revolutionizing-Relationship-ebook/dp/B00ADQK966/ref=sr_1_3?crid=39GFRHCL5O41P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.O2uSXxhvuHTKTlQWEuiqFNQcblH4ex_suIw7mzQOnS0QUI6tWLpXKdx4lQZVVM6hgxKATyFnuKX4u7TwmA0a6lfxvo_5UDR4LOv-mgZ9sakeLbagba8SM6bQDi3ndLO--o3sDx3B5v82nP58QUn4CI6pcMmPTL_7byxot6ZxW9p714cAUWSgfkWt4Z6cFi0Qcq8Ibi1uCDyFx1ogtobkhqufp7DeHOMGisciDJw6yHk.a2WBn-bObPzQhbZ-SylAv1D9yrAe_KLLt9lf3NE8VQk&dib_tag=se&keywords=david+Schnarch&qid=1782200221&sprefix=david+schnarch%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-3) [![Cover of Brain Talk: Professional Edition by Dr. David Schrank, featuring two brains and red sound-wave icons.](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Brain-Talk-Dr-David-Schnarch-1.png "Brain Talk - Dr David Schnarch | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Talk-Mapping-Science-Everyone/dp/154837153X/ref=sr_1_4?crid=39GFRHCL5O41P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.O2uSXxhvuHTKTlQWEuiqFNQcblH4ex_suIw7mzQOnS0QUI6tWLpXKdx4lQZVVM6hgxKATyFnuKX4u7TwmA0a6lfxvo_5UDR4LOv-mgZ9sakeLbagba8SM6bQDi3ndLO--o3sDx3B5v82nP58QUn4CI6pcMmPTL_7byxot6ZxW9p714cAUWSgfkWt4Z6cFi0Qcq8Ibi1uCDyFx1ogtobkhqufp7DeHOMGisciDJw6yHk.a2WBn-bObPzQhbZ-SylAv1D9yrAe_KLLt9lf3NE8VQk&dib_tag=se&keywords=david+Schnarch&qid=1782200221&sprefix=david+schnarch%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-4)[Brain Talk](https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Talk-Mapping-Science-Everyone/dp/154837153X/ref=sr_1_4?crid=39GFRHCL5O41P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.O2uSXxhvuHTKTlQWEuiqFNQcblH4ex_suIw7mzQOnS0QUI6tWLpXKdx4lQZVVM6hgxKATyFnuKX4u7TwmA0a6lfxvo_5UDR4LOv-mgZ9sakeLbagba8SM6bQDi3ndLO--o3sDx3B5v82nP58QUn4CI6pcMmPTL_7byxot6ZxW9p714cAUWSgfkWt4Z6cFi0Qcq8Ibi1uCDyFx1ogtobkhqufp7DeHOMGisciDJw6yHk.a2WBn-bObPzQhbZ-SylAv1D9yrAe_KLLt9lf3NE8VQk&dib_tag=se&keywords=david+Schnarch&qid=1782200221&sprefix=david+schnarch%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-4) [![Book cover showing a blue gradient with large white title: 'Living at the Bottom of the Ocean' and subtitle: 'Curing emotional meltdowns & coming alive!' by Dr. David Schnarch](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/living_at_the_bottom_of_the_ocean_cover_v4-1-672x1024.png "living_at_the_bottom_of_the_ocean_cover_v4 | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://www.crucible4points.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Living_at_the_Bottom_of_the_Ocean.pdf)[Living at the bottom of the ocean](https://www.crucible4points.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Living_at_the_Bottom_of_the_Ocean.pdf) ## Videos by Dr. Amy Fuller Ready to begin? ## A Relationship That Grows You [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) --- ### [Crucible® Therapy Introductory Course](https://amyfullerphd.com/crucibletraining/) **Published:** May 27, 2026 **Author:** Amy Fuller **Content:** # **Introduction to Crucible**®** Therap**y *Gaining a Working Understanding of the Crucible Approach in Theory and Practice* [Register Now](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/eventDetails.asp?EventNum=112992&CalendarNum=12&CalendarLength=12)[International Crucible® Therapy Education Center Website](https://www.international-crucible-education-center.org)[What is Crucible Therapy?](https://amyfullerphd.com/crucible-therapy/) Couples therapists spend years in training with a vision of seeing couples thrive. Too often, many therapists burn out. Clients drop out. Couples leave without real change. And the therapist is left wondering if real change was ever really possible. Conventional couples and sex therapy focuses on communication, reducing anxiety, and helping people feel more emotionally safe. The Crucible® Approach was built on a different premise entirely. Dr. David Schnarch spent decades studying what it takes for people to change. What he built is a comprehensive therapeutic approach designed to grow people into more evolved versions of themselves, capable of much richer relationships. An approach focused on human development, sexual potential and interpersonal neurobiology, the Sexual Crucible® approach provides a fresh perspective for how to see people, relationships, and yourself as a therapist. Since Dr. Schnarch’s sudden passing in 2020, no formal introduction to the Crucible® Approach has been available for clinicians. That changes in September 2026. ## **Training Details** Dates: Wed., Sept. 9, 23, 30 & Oct, 7 & 21, 2026 Time 3:30 to 6:30 PM Central Time Format Online Live via Zoom Sessions 5 sessions, 3 hours each (15 hours total) ce credits **Pending:** AASECT and NBCC instructor Amy Fuller, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC-S, CST-S [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ICTEC-LOGO-1.png "ICTEC LOGO | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ICTEC-LOGO-1.png) ###### *An international crucible therapy education center training* ## **Introduction to Crucible® Therapy** This is a **five-session online training** that gives clinicians a working understanding of this approach. Participants will learn what a Crucible therapist sees, how they think, and what they do in the room with a couple who is stuck. **Is this training for you?** - Are you frustrated with mainstream models that fall short with your most challenging couples? - Are you brand new to the Crucible approach and curious if it is really different? - Have you read the books but want to see how the ideas actually translate into clinical practice? - Have you had some exposure to the approach but want to learn more? - Are you a mental health professional enrolled in a clinical mental health, counseling or family therapy masters program, a provisionally licensed therapist, or a fully licensed practitioner of couples and family therapy? If you answered yes to any of these, you are in the right place. ## By the end of this training, participants will: ##### See couples differently. You will have a framework for understanding what is actually happening in the room, beneath the conflict, the distance, and the desire problems couples bring through your door. Develop a different kind of case conceptualization. ##### ****Think like a Crucible therapist.**** You will leave with a working vocabulary and a clinical lens that you can begin applying immediately, and that will deepen with every training and consultation that follows. ##### ****Know what this work looks like in practice.**** Through clinical video and case illustration, you will see seasoned Crucible therapists doing this work, not just talking about it. You will see clearly what sets this approach apart. ##### ****Have a resource you will use for years.**** The Crucible® Introductory Manual and comprehensive glossary you receive is the first of its kind, drawn from years of direct training with Dr. Schnarch and the colleagues who learned alongside him. --- ## **Inside the Training: What You Will Experience** Each session builds on the last, taking you deeper into the approach and closer to thinking like a Crucible therapist. Here is what we will cover. Day 1: What is Crucible Therapy?We begin where every good therapist begins, with a framework for seeing. You will be introduced to the Crucible® Approach, the man who created it, and the foundational idea that relationships are not just where problems happen but where people grow. We will explore what it means to do therapy that talks to the best in people, and what it takes to make real contact. Day 2: **What Does Therapy Actually Look Like?**On Day 2, we get into the therapy room. You will see how the Four Points of Balance shape every clinical decision a Crucible therapist makes, understand a collaborative alliance and why it matters, and learn how mind mapping can make process work so much easier and sharper. **Day 3: Seeing What Is Happening in Front of You** The heart of Crucible work is the ability to see clearly: the relationship dynamics, the sexual dynamics, and the moments that matter. We will explore how to map what you are observing, understand fusion and desire discrepancy, and recognize the elicitation window when it opens. Day 4: **How People Grow**Growth in the Crucible® Approach is not comfortable and it is not accidental. This session explores gridlock, the growth versus comfort cycle, and what it means to hold the heat when clients want to run from it. Drawing on Dr. Schnarch’s framework of waking up and swimming toward the surface, we examine what it actually looks like when people begin to change. **Day 5: The Cutting Edge of Crucible® Therapy**Dr. Schnarch spent his final years pushing the approach into new territory. Crucible® Neurobiological Therapy brings interpersonal neurobiology into the heart of the clinical model. This session introduces you to his most recent and most exciting contributions to the field. ## **The Crucible Introductory Manual and Glossary** Dr. Schnarch dedicated years to training the next generation of Crucible therapists but never updated his primary Clinical textbook, [Constructing the Sexual Crucible](https://www.amazon.com/Constructing-Sexual-Crucible-Integration-Professional/dp/0393701026), as the approach evolved over the years. This manual represents the first attempt to consolidate that body of teaching together in one place: the concepts, the language, the framework, organized and accessible for clinicians who are stepping into this work for the first time, as well as those looking to fill in gaps and build a more solid foundation. The manual includes clinical vignettes and dialogue written in right brain language, to help a clinician have a picture of how the approach looks in practice. The comprehensive glossary serves as a reference for the student with the vocabulary to continue growing, seek consultation, and engage more deeply in further Crucible training. It is a living document, born out of years of direct study with Dr. Schnarch and translating his material into clinical training material. [Register Now](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/eventDetails.asp?EventNum=112992&CalendarNum=12&CalendarLength=12) ## **Where Do You Go From Here?** This training is a beginning, not an endpoint. Applying the Crucible® Approach well requires extensive training and ongoing consultation, and there are clear pathways to continue developing your self and skills as a Crucible Therapist. ### **1. Join a Consultation Group** Apply what you are learning to your actual cases with guidance from experienced Crucible therapists. ICTEC offers [consultation groups](https://www.international-crucible-education-center.org/consultation-groups) for clinicians at various levels of experience. A consultation group is one of the most effective ways to develop yourself as a Crucible Therapist between formal trainings. ### **2. Crucible® Fundamentals** Take your foundation deeper with [Lacy Stump’s](https://www.lacystump.com/trainings) Crucible Fundamentals training, offered through ICTEC in the spring. Building on the vocabulary and framework you develop here, this training moves you further into the clinical application of the approach. ### 3. **Person of the Therapist** Retreat Barbara Fairfield’s [Person of the Therapist workshop](https://www.international-crucible-education-center.org/person-of-the-therapist-page-1) offers an experiential deep dive into the differentiation challenges that Crucible therapists face in their own work. It is widely regarded as some of the most personally and professionally significant training available through ICTEC. ### 4. Attend a Clinical Practicum A clinical practicum is the most intense training offered within the Crucible community. A practicum involves working through actual case material in a group setting with role play, case conceptualization and space for personal growth. Visit th [ICTEC Trainings and Workshops page](https://www.international-crucible-education-center.org/trainingsandworkshops) to see what is coming. [Trainings and Workshops offered though ICTEC](https://www.international-crucible-education-center.org/trainingsandworkshops) > > “The therapist is not the teacher. Life is the teacher. Life is much more elegant than most of us are willing to accept. Getting people to the point that they are strong enough to embrace life on its own terms is what the Crucible is all about.” > > > > Dr. David Schnarch, from a live professional training presentation ## Tuition We want this training to be accessible. Tuition is tiered by licensure level. Masters student ## $425 Students enrolled in a Masters program [Register](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/eventDetails.asp?EventNum=112992&CalendarNum=12&CalendarLength=12) Associate clinician ## $550 Students pursuing full licensure [Register](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/eventDetails.asp?EventNum=112992&CalendarNum=12&CalendarLength=12) licensed clinician ## $675 Fully licensed clinicians working in the field [Register](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/eventDetails.asp?EventNum=112992&CalendarNum=12&CalendarLength=12) **Prerequisites** Participants are expected to have read both *[Intimacy and Desire](https://www.crucible4points.com/product/intimacy-desire/)* and *[Living at the Bottom of the Ocean](https://www.crucible4points.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Living_at_the_Bottom_of_the_Ocean.pdf)* prior to attending. Payment is made at the time of registration. *Alternative payment may be made via Zelle to or by check to: 4545 Bissonnet #289, Bellaire, TX 77401.* *For questions, email * ![Amy Fuller crucible instructor Amy Fuller PhD, Crucible Therapist, Couples, Sex and Trauma Therapy in Houston TX, Somatic EMDR, Natural Processing](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/amyfullerphd2015-683x1024.jpg "amyfullerphd2015 | Amy Fuller PhD") ## **About the Instructor** **Amy Fuller, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC-S, CST-S** Dr. Fuller trained in the Crucible® Approach with Dr. David Schnarch from 2012 until his passing in 2020, with Dr. Ruth Morehouse from 2016 to 2024, and has participated in consultation with Barbara Fairfield and Grace Whitman since 2017. The Crucible Approach is central to her clinical practice, her teaching, and her supervision of therapists and sex therapy candidates. She is committed to furthering the approach and training the next generation of Crucible therapists. Dr. Fuller earned her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University in 1998 and her PhD in MFT from St. Mary’s University in 2006. Dr. Fuller practices in Houston specializing in couples, trauma, and sex therapy ([amyfullerphd.com](https://amyfullerphd.com/)). She is the founder of Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute, established in 2012, a nonprofit organization providing intensive training for therapists and accessible therapy to underserved communities across Houston ([fullerlifefamilytherapy.org)](https://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org). Since 2018, she has served as the Sexuality Specialization Director in the doctoral program in Professional Counseling at [Kairos University](https://kairos.edu/academics/programs/doctor-of-professional-counseling/), which prepares students for [AASECT certification as Certified Sex Therapists](https://www.aasect.org/aasect-certified-sex-therapist-0). She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, and a Certified Sex Therapist and Approved Supervisor through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. ## What is the Crucible® Approach? Developed by Dr. David Schnarch, the Crucible® Approach is unlike any other model in the field. Here is what sets it apart. [Crucible Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/crucible-therapy/) *Click on each of the following boxes to read about the approach.* ## The Crucible: A Different Way of Seeing - Marriage is a people-growing machine, not a problem to be solved. - Based on developing anxiety tolerance, not anxiety reduction. Treatment occurs at a higher level of intensity by design. - Presenting concerns are not pathology. - A brain to brain therapy. The goal is to create genuine moments of meeting that facilitate change and raise functioning. - The person of the therapist is critical to the model. - A differentiation based approach. - Sex is a vehicle for intimacy and human growth, not just a behavior to be treated. - Can treat personalities that fail in other approaches. ## Differentiation: The Core Concept - The ability to hold onto yourself while staying meaningfully connected to someone who matters deeply to you. - The more important your partner is to you, the higher the level of differentiation required. - Differentiation is not individuation. It is about becoming your best self in close proximity to another person. - Most relationships function on other-validated intimacy. The Crucible® Approach works toward self-validated intimacy. - Fusion is emotional dependence where two people borrow functioning from each other and avoid what needs to be addressed. ## The Four Points of Balance - The 4 points of balance provide an operational definition of differentiation. Where other therapies focus on helping couples feel better or emotional safety, Crucible therapy aims for human development and works with the way attachment is showing up. - Solid Flexible Self: knowing who you are even under pressure to conform. - Quiet Mind and Calm Heart: the ability to self-soothe and contain your own reactivity. - Grounded Responding: proportionate responses rather than reacting to your partner’s reactivity. - Meaningful Endurance: the willingness to tolerate discomfort for growth. - Everything a Crucible therapist does is designed to increase clients 4 points of balance. ## **A Collaborative Approach to Human Development** - A collaborative alliance begins with self-confrontation. - In Crucible Therapy, clients focus on their own behavior and impact rather than the other person’s. - The collaborative alliance is not about feeling supported. It is a shared commitment to growth that sometimes requires the therapist to say what no one wants to hear. - Many people have only experienced collusive, combative, or no alliance at all. - The therapist seeks to establish collaboration without losing intensity or becoming combative. ## **Mind Mapping**: A way to Work with Process - The brain’s hardwired ability to track what another person thinks, feels, wants, and intends. Mind Mapping is a survival function. - Traumatic mind mapping occurs when mapping another person’s mind is itself traumatic. - Antisocial empathy occurs when mind mapping ability is used not to connect pro-socially, but to harm. People with antisocial empathy know exactly where another person is vulnerable and use that knowledge deliberately. It is far more common than most therapists are trained to recognize. - Normal marital sadism is very common and almost never addressed in conventional couples therapy. ## **Regressions: The Mariana Trench Model** - A sudden drop in functioning when anxiety exceeds a person’s window of tolerance. It can look like yelling, blaming, crying, confusion, numbing, or many other presentations. - Steady-state regressions are long-term and often invisible to the person living inside them. - Reactive regressions are a sign of progress. When you begin to wake up, you start feeling things that are hard. Getting better can make things harder before they get easier. - Raising functioning is a central goal. Higher functioning means greater capacity for intimacy, integrity, connection with one’s self and genuine care for others. ## **What the Therapist Does** - Moves toward what is happening, makes it overt, and holds the heat collaboratively. - Helps clients see there is no way around their two-choice dilemmas, only through them. - Speaks to the integrity of the client, not their fears and anxieties. - Seeks to know their own blindspots. A therapist cannot bring clients to a higher level of differentiation than they have personally reached. ## Sex and Desire - Sexual desire problems are among the most common and most misunderstood reasons couples seek therapy. - Low sexual desire in long-term relationships is not inevitable. It is predictable and addressable. - Sexual potential increases with age and development. The best sex of your life is not behind you. - Sex is a window into the relationship, the self, and the capacity for real intimacy. - The high-desire and low-desire dynamic is not about who wants sex more. It is about who controls the relationship. ## How People Grow - Most people come to therapy wanting relief from the pressure. The Crucible® Approach uses that pressure to promote a more solid self. - Survival mechanisms from childhood show up in adult relationships as regressions, avoidance, and reactivity. - Most people avoid what is challenging. Growth requires risk and is made unilaterally. - Dr. Schnarch describes a common pattern of living asleep. Waking up means confronting what you have been avoiding. - People marry at the same level of differentiation. Growth in one partner pressures the other to rise or resist. - --- ### [Dr. Fuller Videos](https://amyfullerphd.com/dr-fuller-videos/) **Published:** May 27, 2026 **Author:** Amy Fuller **Content:** --- ### [Couples Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/marriage-therapy/) **Published:** April 6, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** # Couple’s Therapy Grow your relationship through differentiation-based couples therapy [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) [Crucible therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/crucible-therapy/) ## Is your relationship in trouble? Dr. Amy Fuller specializes in helping troubled marriages with extensive training and experience in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. Couples therapy with Dr. Fuller is a lot more than communication training, through powerful techniques and strategies, couples find both the strength to rebuild the loving relationship they once had and to grow as individuals in the process. Most couples who find their marriages on the rocks carry around a lot of hurt which can be resolved and healed in the right therapeutic environment. #### [![7 reasons](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/canstockphoto15243399-300x199.jpg "7 reasons | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/sevenreasonstogethelpforyourmarriage/) ## What will Couples Therapy with Dr. Amy Fuller be like? Dr. Fuller meets with the couple together for an initial 85-minute session. The most change is experienced through conjoint couples sessions as each partner begins to grow in front of their partner increasing closeness, healing and connection. Usually, the initial session is followed by a series of weekly 80 or 50 minute sessions. However, some couples choose a more [intensive therapeutic approach](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/couples-intensive-treatment/) with longer sessions occurring over a shorter period of time. ## What is Dr. Fuller’s therapeutic approach? Dr. Fuller is a differentiation-based systemic therapist using Crucible Therapy developed by Dr. David Schnarch. Dr. Fuller combines compassion with honesty creating a direct, no-nonsense approach to couples work. Together Dr. Fuller and the couple will explore relationship patterns, noticing what works and what has not worked over the years. Each person is asked to evaluate his/her own role in the relational conflict that has led to feeling stuck, or unable to achieve the desired relationship through other means. [![Green Light Practice](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Green-Light-Practice-300x198.jpg "Green Light Practice | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/green-light-practice/) With specific [tools](https://amyfullerphd.com/marriagetools/) and techniques, Dr. Fuller helps clients learn [self-soothing techniques](https://amyfullerphd.com/green-light-practice/) to greater withstand difficult conversations, intimacy and ultimately make different choices in the relationship. Instead of seeking to simply change behavior or basic communication skills, therapy encourages couples to deepen their curiosity about themselves and each other, thus allowing each to grow in their ability to confront themselves and have compassion for their partner, building lasting and truly intimate relationships. ## How long do Marriage Sessions last? The initial couples session will be 80 minutes, but the standard session is 80 or 50 minutes. See information about fees, scheduling and insurance [here.](https://amyfullerphd.com/hours-insurance/ "Hours, Insurance & Fees") [![couples intensive](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/couples-intensive-300x149.jpg "couples intensive | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/couples-intensive-treatment/) Dr. Fuller highly recommends Couples Intensive Treatment for couples wanting to improve more quickly, those not living in the Houston area, or when other treatment methods have not been successful. Read more about [COUPLES INTENSIVE TREATMENT](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/couples-intensive-treatment/). *If you are interested in a more intense approach, please let Dr. Fuller’s office know when scheduling.* ## Why choose Dr. Amy Fuller for marriage therapy? Holding both a Masters and a Doctorate Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy as well as a License in Marriage and Family Therapy, Dr Fuller is an expert in human relationships. Dr. Fuller’s professional training has been specifically focused on family and marital relationships, unlike professionals with other degrees in the mental health field. She is a Certified Sex Therapist Candidate from the Texas Sex Therapy Institute. She regularly attends conferences and workshops to keep her skills fresh and knowledge of the field current. Her work in couples therapy is heavily influenced by the **[Crucible Therapy](http://crucibletherapy.com/approach-marital-sexual-therapy)** Approach, a [differentiation](http://crucible4points.com/crucible-four-points-balance)-based integration of marital and sex therapy. Dr. Fuller has attended multiple trainings with the founders of the approach, [Dr. David Schnarch](http://crucibletherapy.com/about/david-schnarch) and [Dr. Ruth Morehouse](http://crucibletherapy.com/node/53) including: [Intimacy and Desire](http://www.amazon.com/Intimacy-Desire-Awaken-Passion-Relationship/dp/0825305675/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429419758&sr=8-1&keywords=intimacy+and+desire) Clinical Training, Sexual dysfunction, Sexual Desire, Treating Intimacy problems, Couples Enrichment Weekend, Treating Extra-marital Affairs Clinical Workshop, several 5-day Intensive Practicums in the Crucible Approach and ongoing case consultation with Dr. Morehouse and webinars with Dr. Schnarch. [![Restore your relationship](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Restore-your-relationship2-300x116.png "Restore your relationship | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog/relationships/) In addition, she constantly devours resources online related to relationships and actively posts, tweets and shares great online resources for relational, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being on [**Twitter**](https://twitter.com/AmyFullerphd), [**LinkedIn**,](http://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd) [**Google+**](https://www.google.com/+AmyFullerphd)**,** [**Facebook**](http://www.facebook.com/AmyFullerPhD)**, [Scoop It](http://www.scoop.it/u/dr-amy-fuller)** and through **[her professional blog](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog/). She also provides ongoing supervision to Marriage and Family Therapy trainees through [Fuller Life Family Therapy](http://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org). [![BOOKS FOR BETTER MARRIAGE](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/BOOKS-FOR-BETTER-MARRIAGE-300x169.jpg "BOOKS FOR BETTER MARRIAGE | Amy Fuller PhD")](http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Fuller-s-Best-Marriage-Books/lm/R3SQ9U5SB37M0Y/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full) If you do choose Dr. Fuller as your marriage therapist, please know she will care more about helping you create the change your desire in your relationship than in than making you feel good about yourself or creating a safe space for the relationship. She will be kind but honest and help you be honest with each other, even if it means you may not come back. **Marriage therapy is not for the weak of heart. It requires great courage, strength and tenacity to address difficult issues in the relationship and that doesn’t usually make people feel safe…the point is to help you get stronger.** [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) ## Does Marriage therapy work? Dr. Fuller has walked with many couples into a more loving and vibrant relationship and facilitated healing from even the most dire and seemingly hopeless situations. Furthermore, Dr. Fuller has helped many marriages even when only one person comes to therapy (although it is much more effective to see both!) Typical areas of focus in marriage therapy: - Pre-Marital Therapy - Intimacy and Sex Therapy - Communication Skills and Education - Blended/Step-Family Issues - Cancer Patients and their families - Parenting Issues and Education - Conflict Resolution - Divorce Recovery or Co-Parenting ## Speaking/Training Opportunities: Dr. Fuller is available to speak to various groups about many topics related to marriage and family relationships. Please contact her directly for more information. She is a dynamic speaker and enjoys sharing tools and techniques to groups to improve their lives and relationships. Create your best marriage today! Request an appointment today below or call [(832) 832-0870](tel:+18328480870). See [Dr. Fuller’s Scoop It page on RELATIONSHIPS](http://www.scoop.it/t/relationships-by-dr-amy-fuller "Relationships by Dr. Amy Fuller"). --- ### [Crucible Couples Intensive Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/couples-intensive-treatment/) **Published:** June 24, 2016 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** [![Couples intensives](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/couples-intensive.jpg "couples intensive | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/couples-intensive.jpg) Are you and your partner: - Desperate for some kind of change in your relationship? - Tired of the same old arguments? - Thinking about separation or divorce? - Not making progress in traditional couples therapy? - Wanting change to come sooner than later? - Having sexual difficulty needing a proven therapeutic approach? # Couples Intensive Treatment (Crucible Therapy Intensive) in Houston A customized intensive approach to couple’s therapy can address these issues. Couples Intensive Treatment (CIT) is ideal for couples wanting to address issues in a more direct and rapid method than traditional weekly sessions will allow. What would normally take several months in traditional weekly therapy can be addressed in 2 to 4 days within an intensive treatment model. By intensifying the pace and depth of therapeutic environment couples intensive treatment has potential to help couples get unstuck and enhance their relationship and enrich their individual lives in profound ways. ***How it works:*** Couples meet with Dr. Fuller for a total of 9 hours over 3-4 days with a follow-up session the following week. Therapy will focus on helping each individual develop and improve functioning to facilitate developing higher levels of closeness while maintaining and strengthening the self. Dr. Fuller utilizes the [Crucible approach](http://crucibletherapy.com/approach-marital-sexual-therapy) for intensive therapy. This approach lends itself to intensive treatment as the couple forms a “crucible” within which healing and growth may occur. CIT is typically utilized with couples in crisis, however, it can be extremely beneficial for couples wanting to address pre-marital topics, couples simply wanting to improve their current relationship or couples struggling with sexual or intimacy issues. The first session includes formulating a unique customized plan for addressing the most critical concerns of each person. Experiential exercises to strengthen the individual and the relationship are utilized as well as psychoeducational materials when appropriate in conjunction with CIT, customized for each unique couple. **[More about Dr. Amy Fuller](https://amyfullerphd.com/about-dr-amy-fuller/ "About")** ***Scheduling:*** Scheduling is flexible for each couple, but hours are limited to Wednesday through Friday between 8 am and 5 pm. All sessions are scheduled and paid for ahead of time. The fee for the couple’s intensive treatment with Dr. Fuller includes a discount on the hourly fee with an option to include one follow-up session. \*\*A $800 re-scheduling fee applies if the couple needs to reschedule the intensive when cancellation is within 1 week of the agreed upon time. ***Before we get started:*** - This form of therapy is extremely “intense” so it is suggested for even those living locally to take time off of work, arrange for alternate care of children and possibly stay away from home. It is best if each of you are freed up from work demands and able to focus this time on healing and strengthening your relationship. - Set up follow-up therapy before the intensive week to maintain progress - The fee for the CIT is paid in full in advance and is $2750 for a total of 10.5 hours (9 hours over 3 days and 1.5 hour followup). - Complete the consent to treatment, initial couple surveys and initial session form. CIT is held in southwest Houston at Dr. Fuller’s tranquil [therapy offices](https://amyfullerphd.com/location/) located at 4545 Bissonnet, Suite 289, Bellaire, TX 77401. To find out more information or schedule CIT, please call Dr. Fuller’s office at (832) 848-0870 or use the secure request an appointment button below. [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) --- ### [About](https://amyfullerphd.com/about-dr-amy-fuller/) **Published:** August 19, 2015 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** # **Couples, Trauma** # **and Sex Therapy** #### Direct and compassionate therapy to help you be a better you - [ABOUT](#tab-about) - [EDUCATION](#tab-education) - [LICENSURES ](#tab-licensures) - [CERTIFICATIONS](#tab-certifications) - [MEMBERSHIPS](#tab-memberships) ![Amy Fuller PhD, Crucible Therapist, Couples, Sex and Trauma Therapy in Houston TX, Somatic EMDR, Natural Processing Crucible Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/amy-ACU-1-edited-641x1024.jpg "amy ACU | Amy Fuller PhD") ## Watching people grow up close is a unique honor. As a Crucible Therapist, I walk alongside brave and courageous individuals and couples as they strive to become better than they are, overcome what they feel overwhelmed by, become who they dare dream of becoming, and develop the strength to love well. With a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Masters degree in marriage and family therapy, I specialize in [couples, sex therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/marriage-therapy/) and trauma, in Houston, Texas with over 25 years of experience in the field of mental health. I am a differentiation-based therapist, trained in the Sexual **Crucible approach** by Dr. David Schnarch and Dr. Ruth Moorehouse. I am also an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and a Certified Spiritual Director. Additionally, I provide somatic-based EMDR therapy with [Natural Processing](https://naturalprocessing.org). I approach my clients with a **unique combination of compassion and honesty.** My therapeutic approach is based on a [growth](https://amyfullerphd.com/the-full-lifereflections-on-growth-happiness-and-hope/) model within a healing relational framework. Hence by empowering and equipping clients, previously hopeless situations now represent new opportunities for growth. ##### Training the next generation of therapists Watching therapists grow is also a great honor. My role as the founder and clinical director of [Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute](http://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org), allows me to train the next generation of therapists. Fuller Life is a non-profit counseling training organization providing accessible and affordable therapy to the community and an opportunity for training and mentoring developing marriage and family therapists. [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Fuller-Life-Logo-high-res-1024x276.png "Fuller Life Logo high res | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Fuller-Life-Logo-high-res.png) [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/hgst-siteloogpng-1.png "hgst siteloogpng | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/hgst-siteloogpng-1.png) Being an [adjunct professor](https://www.hgst.edu/academics/faculty/amy-fuller) at the [Houston Graduate School of Theology](https://www.hgst.edu) now [Kairos University](https://kairos.edu/academics/programs/doctor-of-professional-counseling/) for the master’s and doctorate program in counseling provides another avenue to train future therapists. I serve as the sexuality specialization director and director for the Trauma, Grief, and Loss specialization for the doctorate in professional counseling. ##### Inclusive and Affirming I hold deeply personal beliefs in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. My practice is an affirming and welcoming space for LGBTQ individuals and couples where they can explore their identities, relationships, and experiences without fear of judgment or discrimination. I am dedicated to fostering an inclusive practice that actively works against racism and promotes diversity and equality. Additionally, I am sex-positive and affirming, recognizing and respecting each client’s unique journey. I aim to help individuals navigate their paths, whether it involves coming out, transitioning, or exploring other aspects of their sexuality and identity. My goal is to support clients in finding empowerment, authenticity, and fulfillment in their lives. ## For fun… I’m a lifelong Texan, have been married for over 28 years, and have two children. My hobbies include traveling, going to the theatre, reading, yoga, triathlons, spending time with my children, and dating my husband. I also greatly enjoy speaking for various churches, organizations, and retreats. My husband and I were honored to be named [Distinguished Alumni for 2015](http://alumniassociation.acu.edu/s/1565/index.aspx?sid=1565&gid=1&pgid=845) by our alma mater, Abilene Christian University. To schedule an appointment you may call my office line (832) 848-0870 or submit a confidential web form online. You can find more information about my [approach](https://amyfullerphd.com/approach/), [fees](https://amyfullerphd.com/hours-insurance/), [insurance](https://amyfullerphd.com/hours-insurance/), [hours](https://amyfullerphd.com/hours-insurance/), and [location](https://amyfullerphd.com/location/) here on my website. May you be well, [Amy Fuller PhD](http://amyfullerphd-houstonmarriagetherapist.com) --- ### MASTERS DEGREE (M.MFT) ### MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY 1998-1996 *Family Play Therapy: Using Play to build Connection, TAMFT Annual Conference, 1998* --- --- #### DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHD) #### MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY 2002-2006 Dissertation: “*Spirituality and Quality of life in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation Treatment: A Multifactor Analysis”* --- ## LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST TEXAS, SINCE 2006 ## LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST-BOARD APPROVED SUPERVISOR TEXAS, SINCE 2011 ## LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR TEXAS, SINCE 2001 ## LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR-BOARD APPROVED SUPERVISOR TEXAS, SINCE 2011 [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BHECLogoTransparency_175x175.png "BHECLogoTransparency_175x175 | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BHECLogoTransparency_175x175.png) [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/aamft-approved-supervisor-150x150.png "aamft-approved-supervisor | Amy Fuller PhD") #### AAMFT APPROVED SUPERVISOR 2016 American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists *Supervision Mentor: Dr. Harlene Anderson*](https://aamft.org/AAMFT/Membership/Approved_Supervisors/Supervision/Supervision.aspx?hkey=79f01af6-6412-4eb5-9d75-9909aca18b1a) --- --- [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/crucible-logo-1024x209-1.png "crucible-logo-1024x209 | Amy Fuller PhD") #### Sexual Crucible Approach Completed over 300 hours of training under **Dr. David Schnarch** and Dr. Ruth Morehouse and over 100 hours of consultation with Barbara Fairfield in the Sexual Crucible approach and Crucible Neurobiological Therapy.](https://crucible4points.com) --- [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/NSTI-01-300x122.jpg "NSTI-01 | Amy Fuller PhD") #### Certified Sex Therapist Completed the sex therapy program with the National Sex Therapy Institute with Dr. Vivana Coles in 2015.](https://houstonrelationshiptherapy.com/professionals/) [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AASECT_Certified-Sexuality-Therapist-Supervisor-Badge-RGB-250px.png "AASECT_Certified-Sexuality-Therapist-Supervisor-Badge-RGB-250px | Amy Fuller PhD") #### CERTIFIED SEX THERAPIST SUPERVISOR 2020 American Association of Sexuality Education, Counselors and Therapists *Sex Therapy Supervision Mentor: Natalie Elliott*](https://www.aasect.org) --- [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AASECT_Certified-Sexuality-Therapist-Badge-RGB-250px.png "AASECT_Certified-Sexuality-Therapist-Badge-RGB-250px | Amy Fuller PhD") #### CERTIFIED SEX THERAPIST 2017 American Association of Sexuality Education, Counselors and Therapists *Sex Therapy Mentor: Dr. Sally Valentine*](https://www.aasect.org) --- [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Selah_spiritual.png "Selah_spiritual | Amy Fuller PhD") #### CERTIFIED SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR 2019 Selah Center for Spiritual Formation, Nashville, TN *Spiritual Director: Renee Farkas*](https://selahspiritual.com) --- ## Additional Significant Clinical Training ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/erickson-logo-150x150.png "erickson logo | Amy Fuller PhD") #### Erickson Clinical Hypnosis 2003 Over 90 hours of training in the use of Hypnosis for Clinical treatment with the Erickson Institute of Dallas. --- [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/NPLogo.jpg "NP+Logo | Amy Fuller PhD") #### Somatic EMDR Training Training and ongoing Consultation in the use of EMDR with somatic processing with Craig Penner. .](https://naturalprocessing.org) [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/emdria-logo-member.png "emdria-logo-member | Amy Fuller PhD") #### CERTIFIED EMDR THERAPIST 2005-2015 Eye Movement desensitization and Reprocessing International Association *EMDR Consultant: Dr. Peggy Avent*](https://www.emdria.org) --- --- [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/tCiwkT1u_400x400-150x150.png "tCiwkT1u_400x400 | Amy Fuller PhD") #### Trauma and Dissociation 2013-2015 Two year course on Trauma and Dissociation with the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation](https://www.isst-d.org) --- ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/teleheatlh.png "teleheatlh | Amy Fuller PhD") #### Telemental Health Training in the use of technology assisted therapy. [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AASECT-LOGO.png "AASECT LOGO | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AASECT-LOGO.png) ## AASECT American Association of American Association of Sexuality, Educators, Counselors and Therapists, 2014-present [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/emdria-logo-member.png "emdria-logo-member | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/emdria-logo-member.png) [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AAMFT_Credly_Badge_Clinical_Fellow.png "AAMFT_Credly_Badge_Clinical_Fellow | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AAMFT_Credly_Badge_Clinical_Fellow.png) ## AAMFT American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, 2006-present [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/tamft-logo.png "tamft logo | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/tamft-logo.png) Texas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/hamft-Web-Logo.jpg "hamft Web-Logo | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/hamft-Web-Logo.jpg) Houston Association of Marriage and Family Therapy [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) --- ### [Therapy Approach](https://amyfullerphd.com/approach/) **Published:** July 9, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-people-in-spiral-AM.png "person icon people in spiral AM | Amy Fuller PhD") - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-couple.png "person icon couple | Amy Fuller PhD") - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-lotus-flower.png "person icon lotus flower | Amy Fuller PhD") - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-meditate.png "person icon meditate | Amy Fuller PhD") - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-parent-and-child.png "person icon parent and child | Amy Fuller PhD") - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icons-2-people.png "person icons--2 people | Amy Fuller PhD") Dr. Fuller integrates advances in neuroscience, family therapy, and compassion in creating a personalized treatment plan for each client. Therapy is highly individualized for the unique person, couple and situation. Therapy with Dr. Fuller will focus on growth in developing [four points of balance](https://crucible4points.com/crucible-four-points-balance/): a solid flexible self, calm heart and quiet mind, grounded responding and meaningful endurance. Dr. Fuller’s patients describe her as warm, easy to talk to and a great listener, but also as one who “tells it like it is” in a direct compassionate style. The science of the mind and relationships has advanced to where we now know what is most effective in helping clients and couples achieve real and lasting change. Dr. Fuller utilzes state-of-the-art, evidenced-based practices and techniques to help her patients reach their goals, grow as individuals and discover deeper peace, joy, and meaning in life. Dr. Fuller is a [differentiation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_Bowen#Differentiation_of_self)-based systemic therapist relying heavily upon the Sexual [Crucible approach](https://crucible4points.com) to therapy developed by Dr. David Schnarch. This approach emphasizes each persons willingness to grow and potential to relate to themselves and others in more honest and compassionate ways. ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-meditate.png "person icon meditate | Amy Fuller PhD")![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-lotus-flower.png "person icon lotus flower | Amy Fuller PhD") ## The Mind Exciting advances in neuroscience demonstrate the brain’s ability to change and create more inner-peace, contentment, and confidence. Integrated within a relational model, Dr. Fuller uses a variety of techniques from interpersonal neurobiology and mind-mapping to relaxation, mindfulness, and awareness techniques to take advantage of the brain’s innate resiliency. --- ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-purple-heart.png "person icon purple heart | Amy Fuller PhD")![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-couple.png "person icon couple | Amy Fuller PhD") ## The Heart We were created for connection. Usually both our darkest and most joyful moments involve those who are closest to us. Our partners, family, and friends can provide us with support and warmth, but these relationships also bring pain, isolation, anxiety, and even desperation at times. The emotional aspects of well-being are essential to both healthy relationships and personal growth. In couples or family therapy, Dr. Fuller will facilitate a healing process where these important connections can be restored and strengthened by helping individuals grow as a person in front of their loved one. [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-purple.png "person icon purple | Amy Fuller PhD")![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-body.png "person icon body | Amy Fuller PhD") ## The Body Our bodies bear the burden of the stress we experience in life. It is not uncommon to be completely disconnected from how our bodies respond to the challenges we face. Finding ways to connect more fully to our bodies provides an avenue to increase awareness, making therapy not only more experiential but also more effective. Dr. Fuller uses somatic experiences when working with trauma or loss with Somatic EMDR or Natural Processing. By integrating awareness of body sensations, clients are able to integrate and be more connected to themself and others.](#) --- [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-lotus-flower.png "person icon lotus flower | Amy Fuller PhD")![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/person-icon-purple-heart.png "person icon purple heart | Amy Fuller PhD") ## The Soul Not all therapists will address spiritual issues within the therapeutic setting. Dr. Fuller believes fully in the strength and resilience found in the faith and beliefs of her clients. When appropriate, Dr. Fuller will integrate spiritual concepts into the healing process, based on the self-disclosed beliefs of the client.](#) ##### Through particular [proven practices and interventions](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/emdr-therapy/), the mind, heart and body can find new ways of working together to create a deeper sense of wholeness and completeness. [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) --- ### [EMDR Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/emdr-therapy-2/) **Published:** April 6, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** # **Somatic EMDR** Heal using the natural processes of the brain and the body ### From a client after an EMDR session: *“Amy, Thank you so much for the session yesterday…I have never experienced so much healing and clarity before. It is amazing and I praise God for you and the gift he has given you. I see things more clearly now and am starting to let go of the anger. You give me great hope…Amazing. Thank you again – and blessings to you.”* A Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDR is a powerful and effective tool Dr. Fuller utilizes in her practice. The following questions and answers provide a brief explanation of this breakthrough therapy. ### [What is EMDR?](https://amyfullerphd.com/emdr-explained/ "EMDR Explained: The Who, What, Where and How of EMDR Therapy") EMDR is a revolutionary therapy that has helped millions let go of painful experiences, memories, or beliefs. By utilizing the brain’s natural healing processes, EMDR therapy quickly heals many emotional problems and conditions which have been difficult and time consuming to treat in the past. ### [What does EMDR mean?](https://amyfullerphd.com/emdr-explained/ "EMDR Explained: The Who, What, Where and How of EMDR Therapy") EMDR is an acronym for Eye Movement Desensitization and reprocessing, a therapy discovered and patented by Francine Shapiro in 1989. While walking through the park, Dr. Shapiro noted a healing effect from moving her eyes back and forth while simultaneously recalling a disturbing event. Since that time, over 50,000 therapists have trained in this highly effective treatment and it has become the chosen treatment for persons suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. ### [Who can benefit from EMDR?](https://amyfullerphd.com/emdr-explained/ "EMDR Explained: The Who, What, Where and How of EMDR Therapy") EMDR has been utilized primarily in the treatment of trauma experiences such as physical or sexual abuse, car accidents, victims of crime, natural disasters, and severe loss or grief or war veterans. Positive results have also been observed with panic and anxiety disorders, sexual dysfunction, chemical dependency, peak performance and chronic pain. Extensive research has shown EMDR as the most effective and rapid method for healing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). In addition, EMDR can result in increased self-esteem, decreased feelings of depression, and a renewed spirituality. By interacting with one’s interpretation of previous experience in life, EMDR has the ability to alter personality and personality disorders. EMDR has been utilized all over the world and proven effective with adults, children, and adolescents. To read more about EMDR see [EMDR Explained](https://amyfullerphd.com/emdr-explained/) by Dr. Fuller. Are you ready to heal with this amazing treatment? Contact Dr. Fuller today by filling out the [secure form](https://cryptnsend.com/amy/Fuller.php) or calling [(832) 832-0870](tel:+18328480870) [](http://www.scoop.it/u/dr-amy-fuller?widget=grey)[](http://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd) [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) [EMDR Therapy](https://www.scoop.it/topic/emdr-therapy) --- ### [Trouble in the bedroom? See a Sex Therapist.](https://amyfullerphd.com/sex/) **Published:** May 5, 2019 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** Many couples struggle to have a vibrant sex life. This can lead to feeling hopeless for ever achieving the kind of romantic relationship they desire. Three quarters of couples experience some kind of sexual difficulty at some point in their life. A lot of times, the response is to ignore these issues hoping it will just improve. Yet, unaddressed these issues tend to get worse, not better. Dr. Amy Fuller , a certified sex therapist, provides a unique view and approach to working with couples with sexual difficulty. The sexual crucible approach is a growth model aimed at personal development and reaching one’s sexual potential. Through a unique process customized to your specific relationship, Dr. Fuller works with couples to understand themselves and each other in ways that opens up new ways of functioning in and out of the bedroom. Professional sex therapy invites a neutral clinician into the unique components of your relationship allowing the opportunity to find new ways of interacting and managing challenges. [Dr. Amy Fuller](https://amyfullerphd.com/about/), and licensed marriage and family therapist, offers a different kind of [couples therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/marriage-therapy/). Her[ intensive](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/couples-intensive-treatment/) and direct [approach](https://amyfullerphd.com/approach/) has helped many when traditional therapy failed. Schedule an appointment today. [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) --- ### [Individual Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/individual-therapy/) **Published:** April 6, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** Would you like to be a better you? Dr. Fuller can help! Therapy is highly individualized for the unique person and situation. Usually the focus is on growth and healing. Dr. Fuller’s patients describe her as warm, easy to talk to and a great listener, yet also someone who tells it like it is in a compassionate yet honest manner. In addition, Dr. Fuller utilizes powerful tools to help her patients reach their goals and create deeper peace and greater joy in life. ## Areas of Treatment - Depression - Anxiety - Anger & Stress Management - Sexual Abuse Survivors - Personality Disorders - Crisis Intervention - Women’s Issues - Christian Counseling - Guilt-Forgiveness Issues - Grief-Loss-Bereavement Issues - Personal Growth and Development - Eating Disorders - Addiction - Dealing with Traumatic Events [(EMDR)](https://amyfullerphd.com/emdr-therapy/)[ ](https://amyfullerphd.com/emdr-explained/) - Bipolar Disorder - Dissociative Disorders - Ericksonian Clinical Hypnotherapy for Habit control, weight-loss, improved focus, or stress management [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) --- ### [Hours, Insurance and Fees](https://amyfullerphd.com/hours-insurance/) **Published:** April 6, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** **When can I make an appointment?** Sessions are by appointment only. Dr. Fuller is available **Tuesday through Friday between 9 am and 4 pm**. The fastest way to make an appointment is to submit a [webform](https://amyfullerphd.com/forms/) or call Dr. Fuller’s office at [(832) 848-0870](tel:+18328480870). Margarita Castaneda, Dr. Fuller’s assistant, answers the phone during the day at [(832) 848-0870](tel:+18328480870). **Can I use my insurance?** #### Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean diam dolor, accumsan sed rutrum vel, dapibus et leo. Dr. Fuller accepts ALL insurance plans as an out of network provider. As a courtesy, Dr. Fuller’s office will verify benefits with the insurance company and, if desired, will submit the claim form to the insurance company. To make it easier for clients to be reimbursed quickly, Dr. Fuller’s billing service will electronically submit the claim to the insurance company. Once the deductible has been met, the insurance company will send reimbursements to the client directly. Full payment is due at the time of service. Please know that it takes a month or two or three to receive reimbursement for services. Does my insurance cover therapy? #### Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean diam dolor, accumsan sed rutrum vel, dapibus et leo. Curious if your health care plan will cover counseling? To find out what the insurance will cover prior to the first appointment, please call Margarita and provide her with your insurance information. We will get back to you within 3 business days to let you know what the coverage will be for out of network mental health care. We will discuss the coverage before sending in a claim to the insurance company. What if I cannot make it to an appointment? Dr. Fuller has a 24 hour cancellation policy. Sessions not cancelled within 24 hours of the appointment will be billed the full fee, unless there is an emergency. **Are sessions in person or virtual?** Dr. Fuller offers both in person sessions and Telehealth sessions. Virtual Sessions are available Tuesday and Wednesdays and in person sessions are offered on Thursday and Friday. What is the fee for therapy? #### Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean diam dolor, accumsan sed rutrum vel, dapibus et leo. ## Individual Therapy 45-50 minute session **$**250 75-80 minute session $350 ## Couple or Family Therapy 75-80 minute session **$**350 ## Couples Intensive Therapy Seven 75-80 minute sessions over several days **$**2750 See the [info for new clients](https://amyfullerphd.com/forms/) for more specific information regarding fees. How long do session last? #### Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aenean diam dolor, accumsan sed rutrum vel, dapibus et leo. Individual Therapy is 45 to 50 minutes. Couples or Family therapy is 75-80 minutes. What if I cannot afford it or don’t have insurance? [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Fuller-Life-Logo-high-res-300x81.png "Fuller Life Logo high res | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Fuller-Life-Logo-high-res.png) In an effort to make therapy services more widely accessible, Dr. Fuller founded and serves as the Clinical Director of the [Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute](https://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/forms-affordable-fees/affordable-counseling/), where Resident Therapists provide professional therapy on a sliding fee scale. How do I get started? 1. Contact us by filling out the request an appointment secure webform or call us to let us know you are interested. 2. Connect to Margarita to set up the initial appointment and answer any questions you may have. 3. Complete the initial session form, sign the consent to treatment and financial agreement. You will also have a set of surveys to complete prior to the initial session. 4. Come in for your first session. [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) --- ### [Forms](https://amyfullerphd.com/forms/) **Published:** April 6, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) ### Step 1 – Contact Us via [Secure Inquiry Form](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100). If you would like to get more information or schedule an appointment, complete the secure inquiry form. Dr. Fuller’s Assistant, Margarita Castaneda, will be in touch within 2 business days to answer any questions you have or help you set an appointment. For faster scheduling please call [(832) 832-0870](tel:+18328480870). ### Step 2 – Set up an initial appointment ### Step 3 – Complete the Initial Session Forms Once you have an appointment, you will receive an email with a link to the [online portal](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=97) where you can complete the initial session form, sign the consent to treatment and the financial agreement. Each person attending therapy needs to complete the confidential initial session form. If minors are attending, please complete one form for each child or adolescent. If couples therapy, each person will need to complete the initial session form. If you do not receive the confirmation email please contact . ### Step 4- Complete the Initial Session Surveys Dr. Fuller practices feedback informed therapy, using weekly questionnaires and surveys to track progress over time. Research has shown that monitoring progress in counseling can double the efficacy of therapy outcomes. These routine outcome measures may be used for research or training purposes and will be anonymized. The initial surveys need to be completed prior the the initial appointment and may take between 20 to 45 minutes. ### Step 5 – Read the [information for new clients](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Amy-Fuller-PhD-New-Client-Info-2018.pdf). Please also take time to read[ information for new clients](https://amyfullerphd.com/information-for-new-clients/) and [information about telehealth](https://amyfullerphd.com/informed-consent-to-telemental-health/) on my website. You may log into the [Fuller Life Client Portal](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=97) at any time in order to request an appointment, view upcoming appointments, update your information or make a payment. The portal is also where you will find the initial forms to be completed. Please read over privacy practices, social media, and communication policies at your convenience in our information for new clients. Privacy practices are also posted in our offices to make it easy for our clients to access at any time. Find out more about Dr. Fuller’s: [Hours, Insurance or Fees,](https://amyfullerphd.com/hours-insurance/) [Location](https://amyfullerphd.com/location/), [Credentials](https://amyfullerphd.com/credentials/), or [Approach](https://amyfullerphd.com/approach/). **Additional information:** If you would like to allow coordination of care with another provider (for example, a psychiatrist, primary care physician, etc.), complete this form to authorize release of information: - [Confidential Release Form](https://fuller.na2.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhDwwHV_rN_l8WJSGFMI-J1ShD7g9AhRDJcap0nVZmhWHa72eUq0OczkubGUOIE5qAk*) To find out more about your health care coverage call between 9 and 3 pm during the week and speak to Margarita at [(832) 848-0870](tel:+18328480870). She can find out what your coverage would be and get back to you to let you know the coverage within 3 business days. You will be notified in one to three business days with information about your out of network mental health coverage - [Couples Intensive Treatment Agreement Form](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Couples-Intensive-Therapy.pdf) Additional information is available to clients includes the following and is displayed on the wall in the lobby of Dr. Fuller’s office: - [Social Media and Communications Policies](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Social-Media-Communications-Policy-Amy-Fuller-PhD-and-FLFTI.pdf) - [Notice of Privacy Practices](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Privacy-of-Information-Policies-for-AMF-and-FLFTI.pdf) - [AAMFT Code of Ethics](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/AAMFT-code-of-ethics.pdf) [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) --- ### [About Telemental Health](https://amyfullerphd.com/informed-consent-to-telemental-health/) **Published:** October 17, 2020 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** # About Telemental Health - Telemental health has both benefits and risks, which you and your therapist will be monitoring - It is possible that receiving services by telemental health will turn out to be inappropriate for you, and that you and your therapist may have to cease work by telemental health - You will need access to certain technological tools to engage in technology-assisted therapy - You can stop therapy by telemental health at any time for in-person therapy or a referral - You will need to participate in creating an appropriate space for your telemental health sessions - You will need to participate in managing technology failures and mental health emergencies - Fuller follows security best practices and legal standards in order to protect your health information, but you will also need to participate in maintaining your own security and privacy ### What is Telemental Health? Telehealth service is ‘a health service, other than a telemedicine medical service, delivered by a health professional licensed, certified, or otherwise entitled to practice in this state and acting within the scope of the health professional’s license, certification, or entitlement to a patient at a different physical location than the health professional using telecommunications or information technology.’ Services delivered via telehealth rely on electronic, internet-based technology tools. Dr. Fuller uses a HIPAA compliant service, Ring Central, which includes video-conferencing software, text messaging, and a virtual phone system. You will need access to reliable internet service and either a smartphone or computer with a video camera and speaker in order to engage in telemental health work with Dr. Fuller. If you have any questions or concerns about the above tools, please discuss them with Dr. Fuller or her staff to address their risks, benefits, and specific application to your treatment. ### Benefits and Risks of Telemental Health ##### Receiving services via telemental health allows you to receive services: - at times or in places where the service may not otherwise be available. - in a fashion that may be more convenient and less prone to delays than in-person meetings. - when you are unable to travel to the therapist’s office. The unique characteristics of telemental health may also help some people make improved progress on health goals that may not have been otherwise achievable without telemental health. ##### Receiving services via telemental health has the following risk of: - technical failures, such as unstable internet connection or sudden failures related to computers, smartphone or local power services. - limiting your therapist’s ability to directly intervene in crisis or emergencies. - potential breach of confidentiality as Cloud-based service personnel, IT assistants, and malicious actors (“hackers”) may have the ability to access your private information that is transmitted or stored in the process of telemental health-based service delivery. - Interruptions may disrupt services at important moments, and your therapist may be unable to reach you quickly or using the most effective tools. ### Assessing Telemental Health’s Fit for You Although it is well validated by research, service delivery via telemental health is not a good fit for every person. Dr. Fuller will continuously assess if working via telemental health is appropriate for your case. If it is not appropriate, Dr. Fuller will help you find in-person therapists with whom to continue services. **You have right to stop receiving services by telemental health at any time** without any repercussions. Please talk to Dr. Fuller or her staff if you find the telemental health platform so difficult to use that it distracts from the services being provided, if the medium causes trouble focusing on your services, or if there are any other reasons why the telemental health medium seems to be causing problems in receiving services. ### Your Telemental Health Environment **You will be responsible for creating a safe and confidential space during sessions at the address below.** You should use a space that is free of other people. It should also be difficult or impossible for people outside the space to see or hear your interactions with your therapist during the session. If you are unsure of how to do this, please ask for assistance. If you are at a location other than the one disclosed below please tell Dr. Fuller at the start of the session. ### Telemental Health Etiquette It is important to consider several items for best practice in terms of etiquette with tele-mental health. It is important for both the client and the therapist minimize distractions during the session. This means being in a confined space without animals or other distractions. **Please also be considerate of the other person’s field of view and arrange the screen so that you can be seen from the chest up with adequate lighting.** ### Our Communication Plan After scheduling, you will receive a meeting invitation by email with information for how to access our online secure platform for tele-health. At our first session, we will verify telephone contact information to use in the case of technology failures. If you need to communicate between sessions, please contact Margarita by email or phone. Please note that all email or text messages you exchange with Dr. Fuller or her staff become a part of your health record. Text messages are for scheduling only. Therapy by phone is not ideal and not allowed for ongoing therapy, but only in the case of some kind of technical failure in the use of video conferencing. If you prefer not to receive text messages or emails, please notify your therapist at your first meeting or through the initial session form. ### Our Safety and Emergency Plan As a recipient of telemental health-based services, **you will need to participate in ensuring your safety** during mental health crises or medical emergencies. This will include providing an emergency contact and permission to communicate with this person about your care in the case of an emergency. ### Your Security and Privacy Dr. Fuller has been thoroughly trained in the use of telehealth and has selected HIPAA compliant service providers to adhere to security best practices and applicable legal standards for the purposes of protecting your privacy and ensuring that records of your health care services are not lost or damaged. However, you also have a role to play in maintaining your security. Please use reasonable security protocols to protect the privacy of your own health care information. For example: when communicating with your therapist, use devices and service accounts that are protected by unique passwords that only you know. Also, use the secure tools that your therapist has supplied for communications. **Please do not record video or audio sessions without your therapist’s consent.** Making recordings can quickly and easily compromise your privacy and should be done so with great care. Your therapist **may** record sessions for training purposes as outlined in the general treatment consent. ### [**Telemental Health Agreement**](https://fuller.na2.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhCFuiLcu6lGUUd4zAnbbU1GbnYhvsUaQedmWPvLEpfzjVh_MQsS7BpnzszGCZaOtMA*) The following information is utilized at the start of tele-mental health to help ensure confidentiality and ease of connection. **Management Plan for Technological issues or Emergencies for Telemental Health** **Plan for Technological Difficulty or Disconnection** If you are participating in a telemental health session and are disconnected follow these steps: 1. Troubleshoot your internet connection and reattempt to connect via Ring Central. 2. Communicate with the other meeting participants via chat, text, email or phone. The first method to communicate in this preference is text messaging. If no response, phone or email can be used to communicate. Your therapist will include their direct number in the first meeting or through email to you. 3. If the Ring Central platform is not viable for some reason, the second method is to utilize zoom. The web address is . Your therapist will make sure you have the correct web address when you discuss this plan. 4. If neither Ring Central nor zoom are viable options, therapy may proceed via telephone. If you are having difficulty with technology or connection issues, please discuss them with the therapist to troubleshoot or generate alternate solutions. **Plan for meeting delays, tardiness and cancellation fees** Your therapist will make every effort to be timely. In the event that ether person is waiting for longer than 5 minutes please send a text message (or email) saying you are present, since it is possible there is simply a technical error. Either party should call after waiting 10 minutes, if not sooner. - If the client has waited 15 minutes, made a text at or before 5 minutes and a phone call at or before 10 minutes, then the client is dismissed from cancellation fees after waiting 15 minutes. - If the client is not present after a text at or before 5 minutes or a phone call at or before 10 minutes, then the cancellation fee will apply at 15 minutes. - Please speak to your therapist for special circumstances. Cancellation fees will apply to all sessions not cancelled with 24 hours’ notice for non-emergencies. **Crisis Management Plan for Emergencies:** Telemental Health presents common risks not present with “in person” therapy. The following steps are designed to ensure the clients safety as much as possible. 1. **Physical Address:** It is important for the therapist to know the physical address where you are participating in tele-mental health in the unlikely incident of an emergency. You will be asked to provide the primary address where you will physically be for tele-health sessions. if you are in a different location than was indicated at the start of treatment, please inform your therapist. 2. A **Client Support Person for Emergencies.** An emergency contact is required at the start of treatment and may be contacted in the case of an emergency. **The emergency contact name provided may be contacted if a situation arises that the therapist deems a crisis.** Please inform your emergency contact that you are participating in tele-mental health therapy and have listed them as your emergency contact. 3. **Local Emergency Contact.** If there is an emergency or crisis and we are not able to contact your primary support person, we will contact local emergency personnel. Please list the name of the closest or preferable hospital or emergency room in your area. 4. If there is a crisis or emergency outside of a session, please know that we are an outpatient mental health organization and are not equipped for emergencies. If you are ever experiencing an emergency, including a mental health crisis, please call and indicate the situation clearly in your message. We are not equipped for emergencies and will respond within 2 business days. In the event of a psychiatric emergency: Dial 911, go to your local emergency room or request the Crisis Intervention Team at the MHMRA Neuropsychiatric Center by calling 713.970.7070. Clients are asked to seek clarification regarding the tele-mental health agreement at any time in collaboration with the therapist. --- ### [Location](https://amyfullerphd.com/location/) **Published:** April 6, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** [![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AMY-FULLER-OFFICE-300x300.jpg "AMY FULLER OFFICE | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AMY-FULLER-OFFICE.jpg)[4545 Bissonnet Suite 289 Bellaire Texas 77401](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fuller+Amy+PhD/@29.7142385,-95.4537834,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x757efa234f23c7cc!8m2!3d29.7142385!4d-95.4537834) Dr. Fuller’s office is centrally located in Southwest Houston (Bellaire/Galleria area) just inside loop 610 south of Highway 59 on Bissonnet. The address is [4545 Bissonnet, Suite 289, in Bellaire, Texas](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fuller+Amy+PhD/@29.7142385,-95.4537834,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x757efa234f23c7cc!8m2!3d29.7142385!4d-95.4537834). Phone is [(832) 832-0870](tel:+18328480870). Dr. Fuller’s office has floor to ceiling window views of a tranquil atrium garden with a water fountain and greenery. Covered parking is available for visitors on the ground level. [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Fuller-Life-Lobby-Houston-Texas-300x200.jpg "Fuller Life Lobby Houston Texas | Amy Fuller PhD") - ![fuller houston office Amy Fuller PhD, Crucible Therapist, Couples, Sex and Trauma Therapy in Houston TX, Somatic EMDR, Natural Processing](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Purple-Fuller-Office-1-scaled-e1780900622714-300x215.png "Purple Fuller Office - 1 | Amy Fuller PhD") \#image_title - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/courtyard-view-300x200.jpg "courtyard view | Amy Fuller PhD") Building Courtyard - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Courtyard@4545-Bissonnet-300x225.jpg "Courtyard@4545 Bissonnet | Amy Fuller PhD") - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/AmyFullerPHD-Lobby-View2-300x225.jpg "AmyFullerPHD Lobby View2 | Amy Fuller PhD") Fuller Life Waiting Room - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/fountain-pic-courtyard-300x200.jpg "fountain pic courtyard | Amy Fuller PhD") - ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/AmyFullerPHD-Lobby-View-300x225.jpg "AmyFullerPHD Lobby View | Amy Fuller PhD") --- ### [Mindful Eating](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog/mindful-eating/) **Published:** July 28, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** --- ### [Mental Health](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog/mental-health/) **Published:** July 26, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** --- ### [Relationships](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog/relationships/) **Published:** July 26, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** --- ### [Calm](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog/calm/) **Published:** July 26, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** --- ### [Sex Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog/sex-therapy/) **Published:** July 26, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** --- ### [Crucible Registration](https://amyfullerphd.com/crucible-register/) **Published:** June 6, 2026 **Author:** Amy Fuller **Content:** # **Introduction to Crucible**®** Therap**y *Registration* [Learn More](https://amyfullerphd.com/crucibletraining/)[ICTEC Website](https://www.international-crucible-education-center.org) First Name\* Last Name\* Nickname Email\* Cell Phone\* Address:\* City\* State\* Zip Code\* This is a clinical training for mental health professionals or students in the field. List your mental health degree and graduation year:\* List Licensure, State and Year of Licensure:\* How did you learn about Crucible Therapy?\* How did you learn about this introduction to Crucible Course?\*ICTEC Website Email Word of Mouth Amy Fuller PhD MFT Listserve Other Please share about your exposure to Crucible Therapy?\*I am entirely new to the approach I have read books by Dr. David Schnarch I have attended one training in Crucible I have attended several trainings in Crucible I have attended multiple trainings in Crucible I have participated in a Crucible Consult group or Practicum Other: Share in comment box below Select your Registration Level:\*Student $425 Associate License $550 Practicing Clinician $675 I am interested in the addition CE Credits. Approval is pending:\*AASECT $25 NBCC $25 A certificate of attendance is sufficient Would you like to get monthly resources from Amy Fuller PhD/Fuller Life Family Therapy?\*Yes, I’d like to get resources Not at this time Registration Requirement\*I understand my registration is not complete until payment is received. Course Requirement\*I agree to read Intimacy and Desire and Living at the Bottom of the Ocean prior to the course. Comment or Question Submit Upon submission you will be directed to a payment page. Please make the payment there via paypal. Other options are Zelle to Amy@amyfullerphd.com or check to Amy Fuller PhD, 4545 Bissonnet, Suite 289, Bellaire, TX 77401 --- ### [Crucible Payment](https://amyfullerphd.com/crucible-payment/) **Published:** June 6, 2026 **Author:** Amy Fuller **Content:** # **Introduction to Crucible**®** Therap**y *Payment Page* Thank you for registering for Introduction to Crucible Therapy. Your registration is not complete until payment is received. [Paypal LInk – Student $425](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/H45TX562FLBTQ) [Paypal LInk – Associate $550](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/88RDFZGVNCD7S) [Paypal LInk – Fully Licensed Practitioner $675](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/GMLRWRAHELLDQ) You will have the option to pay via paypal with apple pay, credit card or debit card. If you have any difficulty please email [Amy@amyfullerphd.com](mailto:amy@amyfullerphd.com?subject=Crucible%20Training%20Question). You may also opt to send a check to 4545 Bissonnet, 289, Bellaire, TX 77401 or send zelle payment to Amy@amyfullerphd.com. --- ### [Information for New Clients](https://amyfullerphd.com/information-for-new-clients/) **Published:** October 17, 2020 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** [![_3011123333](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3011123333-300x200.jpg)](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3011123333.jpg)Dr. Amy Fuller, LMFT-S, LPC-S, CST, CSD #### WELCOME! Congratulations on taking a brave step toward healing! The following information is meant to help answer any administrative questions you may have about Dr. Amy Fuller or the services she offers to individuals, couples and families. # [About Amy Fuller, PhD](https://amyfullerphd.com/about/) Both a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dr. Amy Fuller has extensive experience in assisting individuals, families and marriages. She received comprehensive didactic and clinical training at Abilene Christian University, while completing a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Fuller holds a doctoral degree from St. Mary’s University in Marriage & Family Therapy. Dr. Fuller is a **Certified Sex Therapist** with the [American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists](https://www.aasect.org). Dr. Fuller also serves as the volunteer Clinical Director of [Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute (FLFT)](https://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/), a 501c3 non-profit training organization for developing therapists providing both quality and affordable therapy to the community. Fuller Life offers a sliding scale fee option for counseling services. Dr. Fuller is also the sexuality specialization director for the [Doctorate of Professional Counseling](https://www.hgst.edu/dpc-degree-program) at the [Houston Graduate School of Theology](https://www.hgst.edu). She also teaches classes at the masters level including systemic sex therapy, counseling diverse populations, counseling skills and techniques and marriage and family dynamics. [![Amy Fuller PHD therapy Office 1](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Amy-Fuller-PHD-therapy-Office-1-300x225.jpg "Amy Fuller PHD therapy Office 1 | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Amy-Fuller-PHD-therapy-Office-1.jpg)Dr Fullers Therapy Office ### Credentials - Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor - Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist-Supervisor - Certified Sex Therapist, [AASECT-American Association of Sex Educators Counselors Therapists](https://www.aasect.org) - AAMFT Approved Supervisor - Master’s Degree(MMFT)-Marriage & Family Therapy - Doctoral Degree (PhD)-Marriage & Family Therapy - [Adjunct Professor of Counseling](https://www.hgst.edu/academics/faculty/amy-fuller) at Houston Graduate School of Theology - Sexuality Director, Doctorate in Professional Counseling, [Houston Graduate School of Theology](https://www.hgst.edu) - Over 300 hours training in the [Crucible Model](https://crucible4points.com) with Dr. David Schnarch, author of Passionate Marriage - Certificate in Leadership from AAMFT - EMDR Therapist–(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy) - Somatic EMDR training in [Natural Processing](https://naturalprocessing.org) - Clinical Hypnotherapist, Erickson Institute of Dallas - “Healthy Families, Healthy Kids” Certified ### Professional Memberships - AAMFT-Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy - EMDRIA (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association) - AASECT—American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists ### Referrals Your referral to others is the highest compliment you can give. If you do suggest our services to friends or family members, it is much appreciated. ### [Location and Contact Information](https://amyfullerphd.com/location/) Dr. Fuller’s office is in the southwest corner of Houston just inside Loop 610 on Bissonnet. Covered guest parking is available on the ground floor. Additional parking is to the right and left of the building. The address is 4545 Bissonnet, Suite 289, Bellaire, TX 77401. The office number is (832) 848-0870. Margarita Castanada is the office manager for Dr. Fuller and can provide information or scheulding by email at [Margarita@FullerLifeFamilyTherapy.org](mailto:Manet@FullerLifeFamilyTherapy.org) or by phone at (832) 848-0870. ### Fees for Services Payment for sessions is due in full at the time of service regardless of insurance billing. Dr. Fuller accepts check (payable to Amy Fuller PhD), credit card (Visa, MC, Amex or Discover) or cash. There is a $35 fee for returned checks. A credit card on file is billed at the end of the session. A credit card is required to hold the initial session time. - Individual Session 45-50 minutes $250 - Individual Session 75-80 minutes $350 - Marital/Family Session 50-55 minutes $285 - Marital/Family Session 75-80 minutes $350 - Couple/Family Initial Session 75-80 min. $350 - Couples Intensive Therapy $2750 - Reports or Requests for Letters Varies - Consultation: $250 per hour Consultation fees includes: telephone consults greater than 10 minutes, ARDs, travel time to and from meetings, weekend sessions, after hour emergency phone calls, or other services. Insurance companies do NOT cover these services. - **Legal Proceedings:** $750 per hour Dr. Fuller will only appear at a court proceeding only when subpoenaed. A block of time must be scheduled in order for Dr. Fuller to appear in court, which prohibits her from scheduling other clients. If cancelled in less than 24 hours notice the full fee will be charged. The fee applies to travel time and time “on-call”, whether or not testimony is given. ### INSURANCE Dr. Fuller accepts many insurance plans as an out-of-network provider. We will verify insurance benefits and let you know the out-of-network benefits. As a complementary service, Dr. Fuller will bill the insurance company electronically and the client will be reimbursed directly by the insurance company. There is no guarantee of reimbursement for out-of-network benefits, but many insurance companies do reimburse for therapy services. *Services will not be billed until the client has received information about benefits and indicated on the intake form their preference.* ### Scheduling and Cancellation Policy [![Margarita Castaneda](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Margarita-Castaneda-Headshot-300x231.png "Margarita Castaneda Headshot | Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Margarita-Castaneda-Headshot.png)Office Manager, Margarita Castaneda To schedule an appointment please call Dr. Fuller’s office at **(832) 848-0870.** Follow-up sessions are scheduled after the session. Appointments are available Monday through Friday between 8 and 3 pm. Dr. Fuller’s assistant, Margarita Castaneda, answers the phone during business hours. When you arrive, please be seated in the lobby and check in. If Dr. Fuller is running late, she will adjust her schedule to provide a full session to each client. If the client is late, Dr. Fuller will end the session at the scheduled time. Since the scheduling of an appointment involves the reservation of time specifically for you, a minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for re-scheduling or canceling an appointment. **If you do not give 24 hour’s notice of cancellation or attend a scheduled session, you will be responsible for the full fee.** ### [Couples Intensive Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/couples-intensive-treatment/) Dr. Fuller provides intensive therapy for couples wanting to address concerns more rapidly than traditional weekly therapy allows. ### TELEPHONE & EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: If you need to contact Amy Fuller PhD between sessions, please leave a message at the answering service (832) 848-0870 and your call will be returned as soon as possible. We may not be able to respond to your messages and calls immediately. For voicemails and other non-emergent messages, you can expect a response within BUSINESS 1-3 days. We may occasionally reply more quickly, but this may not always be possible. If you are ever experiencing an emergency, including a mental health crisis, please call and indicate the emergency clearly in your message. In the event of a psychiatric emergency: Dial 911, go to your local emergency room or request a Crisis Intervention Team at the MHMRA Neuropsychiatric Center by calling **713.970.7070.** **Please do not use texts, e-mail, voice mail, or faxes for emergencies.** ## CONFIDENTIALITY Dr. Fuller **upholds strict policies regarding confidentiality.** Please carefully review our notice of privacy practices for more on limits of confidentiality. Our code of ethics grants confidentiality even to minors. Material discussed in therapy with children or adolescents will not be disclosed to parents. The therapist may share clinical opinions, discuss assessment and treatment goals or involve parents in treatment when appropriate. In couple and family therapy, or when different family members are seen individually, even over a period of time, *confidentiality and privilege do not apply* between the couple or among family members, unless otherwise agreed upon. Amy Fuller PhD will use her clinical judgment when discussing such information. Due to confidentiality, **Dr. Fuller only sees couples together in therapy. Individuals participating in couple’s therapy are not seen individually** by the same therapist. When participating in couple’s therapy, please ensure any email correspondence with the therapist includes both partners in the email. ### CONSULTATION and VIDEO Dr. Fuller is the founder and director of the Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute, a 501c3 non-profit post-graduate training organization for master’s level counselors and therapists. Amy Fuller PhD and Fuller Life consult regularly as a team and with expert professionals in a desire to provide the highest quality of care and intensive therapy training. For this reason, physiological monitoring and video is utilized solely for training and consultation purposes. As a part of training, sessions at Fuller Life are automatically recorded and used for training purposes only. All video is deleted within 14 days of recording. Additionally, Dr. Fuller regularly participates in consultation to improve the quality of her clinical skills. While it is standard to use video, the client’s consent to video is voluntary. For questions regarding use of video or physiological monitoring or recording please speak to our staff. Each member of the Fuller Life team has committed to uphold the highest standard of care, ethics and confidentiality. ### LEGAL CONCERNS: All disputes arising out of, or in relation to counseling services shall first be referred to mediation, before, and as a pre-condition of, the initiation of arbitration. The mediator shall be a neutral third party. Should the therapist receive a subpoena and need to appear in court, the client is responsible for the hourly fee including time on call and traveling. ## THE PROCESS OF THERAPY Participation in therapy can result in many benefits to you, including improving interpersonal relationships and resolution of the specific concerns that led you to seek therapy. Working toward these benefits requires your active involvement, honesty, and openness. Attempting to resolve issues that brought you to therapy in the first place, such as personal or interpersonal relationships, may result in changes that were not originally intended. Sometimes a decision that is positive for one family member is viewed quite negatively by another family member. **There is no guarantee that psychotherapy will yield positive or intended results.** If you have any unanswered questions about any of the procedures used during your therapy, their possible risks, your therapist’s expertise in employing them, or about the treatment plan, please discuss this with your therapist. Your therapist provides neither custody evaluation recommendation nor medication or prescription recommendation nor legal advice, as these activities do not fall within her/his scope of practice. ### TERMINATION: A therapist does not work with clients who, in his/her opinion, he/she cannot help. In such a case, if appropriate, you will be given referrals that you can contact. A therapist has the right to refer to alternate organizations or therapists when appropriate and cease providing treatment. Here are some examples of client behavior that may result in a therapist terminating services: - attending sessions under the influence of alcohol or drugs - displaying or threatening violent tendencies - non-professional sexual expression - demonstrating non-compliant behaviors - two consecutive no-shows You have the right to terminate therapy at any time. Upon your request, your therapist will provide you with names of other qualified professionals whose services you might prefer. ## SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY: **We do not accept friend requests from current or former clients on PERSONAL social networking sites,** such as Facebook or Twitter. Adding clients as friends or contacts on these sites can compromise your confidentiality and our respective privacy. It may also blur the boundaries of our therapeutic relationship. For this same reason, we request clients not communicate with us via any interactive or social networking sites. These sites are not secure and we may not read these messages in a timely fashion. The best way to contact us between sessions is by phone. We regularly write about relational or mental health on our professional blog on our website and curate great articles and resources we find on Scoopit! To get the most recent updates follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FullerLifeFamilyTherapy) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/4aFullerLife), or subscribe to our [newsletter or blog](http://www.fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/) on our website, our professional Facebook profile or on the communication preferences form. **The most private way to stay connected with our online resources is through our newsletter.** We never share your information with a third party. We invite you to follow professional profiles, however, please know doing so may compromise your own confidentiality. Dr. Fuller has a presence on sites such as Yelp, Google, Yahoo, etc. which list businesses and may include forums in which users rate their providers and add reviews. Our listing is NOT a request for a testimonial, rating, or endorsement. Our professional Code of Ethics prohibits our soliciting testimonials ## COMMUNICATIONS POLICY: **It is important that we can communicate and keep the confidential space that is vital to therapy.** It may become useful during treatment to communicate by email, text message or other electronic methods of communication. These methods are typically NOT confidential means of communication. If you use these methods to communicate with your therapist there is a reasonable chance that a third party may be able to intercept and eavesdrop on those messages. The kinds of parties that may intercept these messages include, but are not limited to: - People in your home or environments with access to your phone, computer, or devices - Your employer, if you use your work email to communicate with Fuller Life - Third parties on the Internet, server administrators or others who monitor Internet traffic If there are people in your life that you don’t want to access these communications, please talk with your therapist about ways to keep your communications confidential. We use only HIPAA-Compliant Secure forms of communication unless you indicate a desire to communicate in non-secure means. We offer encrypted email and a secure texting and fax platform with HIPAA-compliant Business Associates. While it cannot be guaranteed these services will prevent 100% of confidentiality breaches, they are designed to ensure enhanced security. **INDICATE YOUR CHOICES ON THE COMMUNICATON PREFERENCES FORM IN THE INITIAL PAPERWORK.** If you reach out to us via unencrypted email, we will honor your desire to communicate in this way as an informed client willing to take a risk with normal email. ### EMAIL: If you choose to authorize non-secure email with us, be aware that computers and unencrypted e-mail communication can be relatively easily accessed by unauthorized people and compromise the privacy of such communication. E-mails are vulnerable to unauthorized access since servers or communication companies may have unlimited or direct access to all e-mails that go through them. Any email content to or from you related to your therapy becomes a part of your medical record. If you do send an email and do not receive a response please call or let your therapist know as it may have been erroneously labeled spam. ### TEXT MESSAGES: Unlike email, our text platform is through secure HIPAA-Compliant Services. However, **texting with our clients is limited to scheduling related items ONLY.** Please include your name if you do text us since we do not store client contact information in our devices. **Text messages are NOT designed for emergencies.** ## HIPAA NOTICE OF PRIVACY POLICIES: (Effective 8-2017) ### THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW PRIVATE HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI) ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU MAY ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY. This Notice is provided to you pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act of 1996 (HIPAA). We are required to abide these policies until replaced or revised. We have the right to revise our privacy policies for all records, including records kept before policy changes were made. The contents of material disclosed to us in therapy sessions are covered by the law as private health information (PHI). We respect the privacy of the information you provide us, and abide by ethical and legal requirements of privacy of records. **We will not release any information about a client without a signed release of information** for all adults involved in the therapy EXCEPT in certain emergency situations or exceptions in which client information can be disclosed without written consent by law. **How we may use or disclose your PHI without your written authorization:** - For legal reasons: Under **subpoena from a judge** in criminal or federal matters, to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive or court order. - For safety of our client or others: If there is a reasonable suspicion of **child, dependent, or elder abuse** or neglect health care professionals are required to report to the appropriate social service and/or legal authorities. - Safety of client or others: if a client presents **a danger to self**, to others, to property, or a grave disability, health care professionals **may** notify an emergency contact, medical or legal authorities without violating client confidentiality. - For **public health** purposes: to provide information to state or federal public health authorities, to prevent or control disease, injury or disability; to report child abuse or neglect; report domestic violence; report to the Food and Drug Administration problems with products and reactions to medications; and report disease or infection exposure. - For **consultation** purposes: As a training institute, we spend several hours together each week in clinical supervision with a sole purpose of enhancing therapeutic service and professional development using video feedback. Additionally, we may consult with other professionals outside our organization, but will speak generally and not disclose any specific PHI identifying information. - For administrative purposes: administrative staff and **HIPAA business associates** may have access to PHI for administrative purposes. - For **non-payment**: if payment has not been made in a timely manner, collection agencies may be utilized in collecting unpaid debts. - In the case of **death** or other limiting factor of a therapist, another member of the Fuller Life Team will properly dispose of client records and/or ensure continuance of care. - For ethical reasons: **Professional misconduct** by a health care professional must be reported by other health care professionals and related records may be released to substantiate disciplinary ### **YOUR RIGHTS** You have the right to request to review or receive your medical files. You may request a copy of your records in writing. Records for non-emancipated minors must be requested by their custodial parents or legal guardians. There is a charge for this service. All requests must be in writing. - You have the right to cancel a release of information by providing us a written notice. - You have the right to know what information in your record has been provided to whom. - You have the right to restrict what information might be disclosed to others. However, if we do not agree with these restrictions, we are not bound to abide by them. - You have the right to request that information about you be communicated by other means or to another location. - You have the right to disagree with the medical records in our files and request that this information be changed. We may decline to change the information, but you have the right to make a statement to be placed in your file. ### COMPLAINTS If you believe your rights have been violated or for questions regarding these policies contact our privacy officer *Margarita Castaneda, Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute, 4545 Bissonnet, Suite 289, Bellaire, TX 77401.* Complaints may be filed with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council at We will not retaliate for any complaint made to the government about our privacy practices. --- ### [Therapy with Children](https://amyfullerphd.com/play-therapy/) **Published:** April 6, 2013 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** [![PlayTherapyforChildren Edited](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/PlayTherapyforChildren-Edited.png "| Amy Fuller PhD")](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/PlayTherapyforChildren-Edited.png) With children under the age of 12, Dr. Fuller utilizes the therapeutic approach of play therapy, a validated and effective treatment. She has one entire room in her office dedicated to working specifically with children through play (seen above). Why play therapy? Play is the language of a child. Play therapy builds upon the normal communication and learning style of children. As a play therapist strategically engages the child, the child will express what is bothering them through play when they do not have the cognitive ability to express their thoughts and feelings through language. Toys are to children what words are to grown ups. Through play, therapists help children find and learn more adaptive behaviors, coping and social skills, improve self-esteem, and find hope in their current situation. Research has supported the efficacy of play therapy with a wide range of issues including: dealing with divorce grief, chronic illness, regular life stressors, depression, anxiety, school problems, physical and sexual abuse, social skills issues, domestic violence and natural disasters. When possible, Dr. Fuller will involve the family in play therapy to enhance the healing aspects of play therapy. See [Dr. Fuller’s Scoop It page on PLAY.](http://www.scoop.it/t/play-by-dr-amy-fuller "Play by Dr. Amy Fuller") --- [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) --- ### [Consent to Treatment](https://amyfullerphd.com/consent-to-treatment/) **Published:** August 27, 2021 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** ## [**Information for New Clients**](https://amyfullerphd.com/information-for-new-clients/)**:** Information about Dr. Fuller’s clinical policies as well as the Notice of Privacy Policies can be found in this document as well as information regarding emergencies, confidentially, fees, insurance and scheduling. The information for new clients is available at [online](https://amyfullerphd.com/information-for-new-clients/), through our online portal, in our waiting room and from staff. *I acknowledge I have been notified how to access and read the office policies and the Federal HIPAA Ruling provided by this office. ## **Communications Preferences** Clients have the right to indicate methods of preferred communication. As a part of the initial session form, you will select your preferences regarding text messages, phone messages and email. You may adjust your communication preferences on the [Fuller Life Portal](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=97) at any time. You will choose to receive appointment reminders by SMS, email or both. Text Messages are for scheduling only. All written communication becomes a part of the clinical record. It may become useful to communicate by email, text message, or other electronic methods of communication which are **NOT** typically a confidential means of communication. There is a reasonable chance that a third party may be able to intercept and eavesdrop on these electronic messages. For this reason, we offer encrypted email and a secure texting platform to ensure HIPAA-Compliance and the highest standard of electronic confidentiality. If you authorize SMS or email appointment reminders or resources from Fuller Life, please know these will not be secure or encrypted. *I have been informed of the risks, including but not limited to my confidentiality in treatment, of transmitting my protected health information by unsecured means.* ## **Confidentiality and Social Media Policies** Dr. Fuller and Fuller Life Family Therapy are active on various social media platforms providing professional resources for mental and relational health. If you choose to follow any of our professional social media platforms, please know this may compromise your confidentiality at your own choice. Do NOT send any direct communication through these professional social media accounts. *I understand I can find out more about Fuller Life Communication Policies and Social Media Policies in the Information for New Clients Document and I will comply with the guidelines provided in these policies.* ## **Physiological Monitoring and Video Recording:** Dr. Fuller is the founder and director of the Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute, a 501c3 non-profit post-graduatetraining organization for master’s level counselors and therapists. As a part of training, sessions at Fuller Life are automatically recorded and used for training purposes only. All video is deleted within 21 days of recording. Additionally, Dr. Fuller regularly participates in consultation to improve the quality of her clinical skills. While it is standard to use video, your consent to video is voluntary. Please talk with your therapist if you have concerns about the use of video and or physiological monitoring. *I grant permission to use physiological monitoring and video for training and to enhance clinical care.* ## **Routine Outcome Measures Consent for Research** As a standard of care at Fuller Life, we administer routine outcome measures (ROM), also called Feedback informed therapy (FIT). There is substantial evidence that using assessments as part of therapy improves the success rate. Tracking the progress and outcome of therapy has been shown to double the efficacy of the therapy experience. Clients will receive an invitation to complete a set of surveys prior to each session. Every 5th session the original survey set will be re-administered to evaluate progress. This information and feedback will not only help to enhance the therapy services you receive, but also have a potential role in research and training. Consequently, we are asking your permission to use your **anonymized**responses on these questionnaires for research purposes. The risk to you is minimal as any personal identifiers will be removed. Although you will be expected to fill out the questionnaires as part of your treatment, your decision to allow the data to be used for research purposes in completely **voluntary**. You may refuse to participate in the research portion of the assessments without penalty and you may withdraw your permission at any time. If you have questions, please talk to your therapist or contact Dr. Fuller at . *I agree to have my non-identifiable information used for research purposes.* [**Consent to Telemental Health**](https://amyfullerphd.com/informed-consent-to-telemental-health/) Therapy conducted with the assistance of technology has certain risks that must be considered. Please see our information on the risks and benefits of Telemental health, as well as things you and your therapist will want to keep in mind to ensure your confidentiality, safety and how to connect in the case of a technological difficulty. Participation in electronic supported therapy is voluntary. Please read about [Telemental health](https://amyfullerphd.com/informed-consent-to-telemental-health/) as a part of the information for new clients. It is important that your therapist can contact you if you lose connection during telehealth. It is also important that we have the physical address where you are located in the rare case of an emergency. [Request an Appointment](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=100) --- ### [Home](https://amyfullerphd.com/home-1/) **Published:** October 20, 2020 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** ###### Amy Fuller PhD # Couples, Trauma and Sex Therapist Using compassionate therapy to help you be a better you [ Contact Me ](#) ###### Relationship Expert #### Scaling Expert ###### Direct and Compassionate #### for Business Owners ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/austin-distel-rxpThOwuVgE-unsplash.jpg) [ Live Meeting in California ](#) ## The Right Financial Plan Changes Everything At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi. Sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga. ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/amy-acu-4-scaled.jpg) ## Insights to elevate your financial confidence and unlock your potential. ##### The purpose of life coaching? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. ##### Past, present & future exercise. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. ##### How do you perceive value? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. [ Ask a Question ](#) ![austin-distel-fEedoypsW_U-unsplash](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/austin-distel-fEedoypsW_U-unsplash-pd159b2qvvyilfq7ccbwlk6lzb1vhfudxg7fe7t4e8.jpg "austin-distel-fEedoypsW_U-unsplash") ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/trent-erwin-UgA3Xvi3SkA-unsplash.jpg) ![hunters-race-MYbhN8KaaEc-unsplash](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/hunters-race-MYbhN8KaaEc-unsplash-pd15996wextso1m988fl6flswx3ku1q1nthrhxsza8.jpg "hunters-race-MYbhN8KaaEc-unsplash") ## Find Out Where You Need to Start Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. ##### Budgeting Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus. [ Show More ](#) ##### Saving Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus. [ Show More ](#) ##### Retirement Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus. [ Show More ](#) ##### Insurance Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus. [ Show More ](#) ##### Home Selling Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus. [ Show More ](#) ##### Home Buying Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus. [ Show More ](#) ## My Specialities Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Layer-0-1.jpg) #### [Real Estate](#) Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/austin-distel-nGc5RT2HmF0-unsplash.jpg) #### [Sales & Investments](#) Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/markus-spiske-5gGcn2PRrtc-unsplash.jpg) #### [Stocks & Finance Education](#) Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. ## What People are Saying Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. *★★★★★* 5/5 “Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.” ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/sergio-de-paula-c_GmwfHBDzk-unsplash.jpg) Ricardo Owens Designer *★★★★★* 5/5 “Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.” ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/canstockphoto8659286.jpg) Joel Burdine Designer *★★★★★* 5/5 “Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.” ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/165908_264989506947767_85180434_n.jpg) Rhonda Key Designer *★★★★★* 5/5 “Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.” ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Background.jpg) Ashley Hoyt Designer ## Life Insurance You’ll Love. Take Care of What Matters Most! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. [ Get Started Now! ](#) --- ### [Course](https://amyfullerphd.com/course/) **Published:** October 20, 2020 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/adeolu-eletu-unRkg2jH1j0-unsplash.jpg) [ Preview This Course ](#) # 8 Ways to Prevent Your Business from Failing - 14k+ Students - 15h 20min - 4.7 Reviews Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. 4.5 (4,699 ratings) ** 4.5/5 [ Enroll Now ](#) ###### Course Features - 14.5 hours on-demand video - 166 articles - 290 downloadable resources - Full lifetime access - Access on mobile and TV - Certificate of Completion [ Get Started ](#) ### What you’ll learn - Operations, including order of operations (PEMDAS) and like-terms - Equations and systems of equations, including inverse operations, direct and inverse variation, and distance/rate/time problems - Polynomials and factoring, including the quadratic formula and completing the square - Inequalities, including trichotomy and graphing inequalities and conjunctions on a number line #### On-time notifications Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis. #### On-site and remote support Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis. #### On-time notifications Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis. ##### The purpose of life coaching? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. ##### Can I get support from the Author? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. ##### Do you have a free trial? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. ##### How can I edit my personal information? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. ###### Testimonials ## What People are Saying Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. *★★★★★* 5/5 “Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.” ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/sergio-de-paula-c_GmwfHBDzk-unsplash.jpg) Ricardo Owens Designer *★★★★★* 5/5 “Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.” ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/jake-fagan-Y7C7F26fzZM-unsplash.jpg) Joel Burdine Designer *★★★★★* 5/5 “Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.” ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/valerie-elash-9IL_stSpvOU-unsplash.jpg) Rhonda Key Designer *★★★★★* 5/5 “Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.” ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Background.jpg) Ashley Hoyt Designer [ Enroll Now ](#) ## Frequently Bought Together Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. [ ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bruce-mars-FWVMhUa_wbY-unsplash.jpg) ](#) ##### [Entrepreneurship: How To Start A Business From Business Idea](#) - 14k+ Students - 15h 20min $445 [ ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Background-1.jpg) ](#) ##### [8 Ways to Prevent Your Business from Failing](#) - 14k+ Students - 15h 20min $219 ## Life Insurance You’ll Love. Take Care of What Matters Most! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. [ Get started now! ](#) --- ### [Courses](https://amyfullerphd.com/courses/) **Published:** October 21, 2020 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** # Learn From Arthur Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. [ ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Background-1.jpg) ](#) $219 ##### [8 Ways to Prevent Your Business from Failing](#) - 3h 15min [ Apply Now ](#) $219 [ ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/headway-5QgIuuBxKwM-unsplash.jpg) ](#) ##### [Starting a Copywriting Business In 2020?](#) - 12h 45min [ Apply Now ](#) $545 [ ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/benjamin-child-GWe0dlVD9e0-unsplash.jpg) ](#) ##### [How To Follow Up With Clients Who Are Not Interested](#) - 4h 10min [ Apply Now ](#) $445 [ ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bruce-mars-FWVMhUa_wbY-unsplash.jpg) ](#) ##### [Entrepreneurship: How To Start A Business From Business Idea](#) - 23h 05min [ Apply Now ](#) $149 [ ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bram-naus-oqnVnI5ixHg-unsplash.jpg) ](#) ##### [How To Pay Off Debt: Four Strategies](#) - 3h 15min [ Apply Now ](#) $99 [ ![](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/trent-erwin-UgA3Xvi3SkA-unsplash.jpg) ](#) ##### [The Complete Introduction To Accounting and Finance](#) - 9h 15min [ Apply Now ](#) ## Life Insurance You’ll Love. Take Care of What Matters Most! Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. [ Get started now! ](#) --- ### [Tools for Building a Great Marriage](https://amyfullerphd.com/marriagetools/) **Published:** February 19, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** Over the years I have collected some resources that I find helpful to couples in crisis. Unless we are lucky enough to have parents who model a great relationship, we struggle with basic communication skills in marriage. Unfortunately we don’t learn these basic principles in our education system either. I recommend the following resources to read, study, and watch combined with marriage therapy. I find that when the couples I work with do study, read and watch educational material related to marriage we have a lot more time in session to focus on the relationship patterns and issues that need to be healed. Things to read: - Excerpts from [the Lost art of listening ](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Lost-art-of-listening.pdf) - [Sounds True Interview with Dr. David Schnarch](http://www.soundstrue.com/podcast/transcripts/david-schnarch.php?camefromhome=camefromhome) - [How a Green Light Practice Can Change the way you Think, Feel and Act](https://amyfullerphd.com/green-light-practice/) - [The 4 points of balance](http://sco.lt/4vn5OL) by David Schnarch - Free Ebook: [Marriage Gems: 10 Secrets for Marital Success](https://amyfullerphd.com/marriagegems/) - [10 Golden Rules of Communication](http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201207/the-10-golden-rules-communication) - [A Simple Marriage Manifesto](http://www.simplemarriage.net/manifesto.html) - [Four points of balance and Collaborative Alliance](https://www.dropbox.com/s/narmk3vjgtz5ob5/Four%20Points%20of%20Balance.pdf?dl=0) [![BOOKS FOR BETTER MARRIAGE](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/BOOKS-FOR-BETTER-MARRIAGE-300x169.jpg "BOOKS FOR BETTER MARRIAGE | Amy Fuller PhD")](http://a.co/fBPZOp5) [DR. FULLER’S AMAZON LISTMANIA BEST MARRIAGE BOOKS](http://a.co/fBPZOp5) Things to practice: - [Hugging til Relaxed ](https://www.dropbox.com/s/qybqpepnce7k76q/Hugging%20til%20Relaxed%20Chapter%20from%20Passionate%20Marriage%20by%20David%20Schnarch.pdf?dl=0) - [IntoMeYouSee Questions for Personal Reflection ](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/IntoMeYouSee-Reflection-Dialogue-for-Couples.docx) Videos to watch: - [Grounded Responding-How good communication looks like a game of Tennis](https://amyfullerphd.com/relationship-advice-communication-techniques-to-save-your-marriage/) - Free Video E-Course with 14 of the nations relationship experts: [Deepening Intimacy](file://localhost/%E2%99%A6%09http/::amyfullerphd.com:deepening-intimacy-l-a-free-video-series-from-sounds-true:) E-courses for marriage - [Married Life 911](http://simplemarriage.net/marriedlife911/) is designed as an 8-week online course. All the material is in written and audio, with additional videos to further enhance some of the subjects. Each module also has homework questions and activities to work through. The course takes place in a secure, members only site. - [Free Marriage Courses](http://simplemarriage.net/free-marriage-courses/) that come via email every other day. The topics we have covered thus far include Simplicity, Nice Guy/Nice Girl, Marital Communication, Sex, Desire Differences, and Family Life and Parenting Radio: - [Sexy Marriage Radio](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sexy-marriage-radio/id472302597) – Itunes Subscription Assessment Tools: - [Character Strengths Profile](http://wellness.amyfullerphd.com/p/4005442394/2013/07/31/get-your-free-via-me-character-strengths-profile) - [Attachment Style in Close Relationship Survey](http://www.web-research-design.net/cgi-bin/crq/crq.pl) - [Five Love Languages](http://www.5lovelanguages.com) Scoop It: (Curated articles by Amy Fuller PHD and Fuller Life Family Therapy) - [Relationships](http://relationships.amyfullerphd.com) - [Resilient Relationships ](http://www.scoop.it/t/resilient-relationships) Books/Audiobooks: - [Passionate Marriage](http://www.amazon.com/Passionate-Marriage-Intimacy-Committed-Relationships/dp/0393334279) by David Schnarch - Abridged Audio of [Passionate Marriage](http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Passionate-Marriage-David-Schnarch/dp/1591790794/ref=pd_sim_b_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=13781RAHN2GDQ89ZE4CQ) - [Growing Yourself Up](https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Yourself-Up-bring-relationships-ebook/dp/B0074O2CRY): How to bring your best to all of life’s relationships by Jenny Brown --- ### [Is your relationship in trouble?](https://amyfullerphd.com/couples-therapy/) **Published:** April 27, 2019 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** Relationships are the most important part of our lives. Yet they can also sometimes be the most challenging. Even when couples attempt to improve their relationship, if frequently feels like going in circles. Professional couples therapy invites a professional into the unique components of your relationship allowing the opportunity to find new ways of interacting and managing challenges. [Dr. Amy Fuller](https://amyfullerphd.com/about/), and licensed marriage and family therapist, offers a different kind of [couples therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/marriage-therapy/). Her[ intensive](https://amyfullerphd.com/therapy/couples-intensive-treatment/) and direct [approach](https://amyfullerphd.com/approach/) has helped many when traditional therapy failed. Schedule an appointment today. --- ### [Contact Dr. Fuller](https://amyfullerphd.com/contact-dr-fuller/) **Published:** January 26, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** [**4545 Bissonnet, Suite 289, Bellaire, TX 77401**](https://amyfullerphd.com/about/location/ "Location") [**amy@amyfullerphd.com**](https://amyfullerphd.com/about/location/ "Location") **Phone: (832) 848-0870** **Fax or Fuller Life: (855) 245-LIFE (5433)** [![online scheduling](https://amyfullerphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/online-scheduling2.jpg "| Amy Fuller PhD")](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=97)Dr. Fuller actively shares online resources related to mental, emotional, relational and spiritual well-being. Connect with her on **[Twitter](https://twitter.com/AmyFullerphd)**, **[LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd)**, **[Google+](https://www.google.com/+AmyFullerphd),** **[Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/FullerLifeFamilyTherapy), or [Scoop It](http://www.scoop.it/u/dr-amy-fuller).** **[![](http://www.scoop.it/resources/img/goodies/profile/myscoopitprofile_grey.png)](http://www.scoop.it/u/dr-amy-fuller?widget=grey) [![View Dr. Amy Fuller's profile on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/img/webpromo/btn_myprofile_160x33.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfullerphd) [Follow @AmyFullerphd](https://twitter.com/AmyFullerphd)** --- ### [EMDR therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/emdr-therapy/) **Published:** July 26, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** [EMDR Therapy](https://www.scoop.it/topic/emdr-therapy) --- ### [Thank you](https://amyfullerphd.com/thank-you/) **Published:** April 20, 2021 **Author:** Amy Fuller **Content:** Thank you for submitting your a secure inquiry form. Dr. Fuller’s assistant, Margarita Castaneda, will get in touch with you within 2 business days. Want to talk to someone right now? [Call (832) 848-0870]() to schedule an appointment or email . Click here to go to our [client portal](https://cm2fullerlife.neworg.com/Default.asp?PageNum=97). Access is granted to the portal after you have scheduled an initial appointment. [Read our online resources for living well](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog/) --- ### [Blog](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog-2/) **Published:** October 20, 2020 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** --- ### [Contact](https://amyfullerphd.com/contact/) **Published:** October 20, 2020 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** # Contact Me At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas. First Name Last Name Subject Your Message By selecting this you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie PolicyLet’s talk##### Sales Support 890 California Street, Suite 16-024, San Francisco, CA 98709 +123 45-67-8910 help@yourdomain.com ##### Technical Support 890 California Street, Suite 16-024, San Francisco, CA 98709 +123 45-67-8910 sales@yourdomain.com --- ### [Play Therapy](https://amyfullerphd.com/blog/play-therapy/) **Published:** July 26, 2014 **Author:** Amy Fuller PHD **Content:** [Playfulness](https://www.scoop.it/topic/play-by-dr-amy-fuller) --- ## Categories ### [trauma](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/trauma/) --- ### [Intimacy](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/intimacy/) --- ### [Marriage](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/marriage/) --- ### [Child Abuse](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/child-abuse/) --- ### [mindfulness](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/mindfulness/) --- ### [Communication](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/communication/) --- ### [Self-Soothing](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/self-soothing/) --- ### [Self-Managment](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/self-managment/) --- ### [Self-Awareness](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/self-awareness/) --- ### [Self-Development](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/self-development/) --- ### [EMDR](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/emdr/) --- ### [Growth](https://amyfullerphd.com/category/growth/) --- ## Tags ### [children](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/children/) --- ### [child abuse](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/child-abuse-2/) --- ### [walk to action](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/walk-to-action/) --- ### [prevention](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/prevention/) --- ### [mindful communication](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/mindful-communication/) --- ### [self-soothe](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/self-soothe/) --- ### [communication](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/communication/) --- ### [listening skills](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/listening-skills/) --- ### [self-management](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/self-management/) --- ### [calm communication](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/calm-communication/) --- ### [green light practice](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/green-light-practice/) --- ### [trauma](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/trauma/) --- ### [Strong Relationship](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/strong-relationship/) --- ### [Solid](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/solid/) --- ### [self](https://amyfullerphd.com/tag/self/) ---