Mental health providers consistently see a significant uptick in relationship distress around Valentine’s Day, with the two weeks leading up to the holiday and the weeks immediately following marking some of the highest peaks for breakups annually. According to relationship researchers, unrealistic expectations, financial pressure, and unresolved conflicts often reach a breaking point during the holiday period.
Montesano Psychological Center, a women-owned mental health practice in Antioch, Illinois, is encouraging couples throughout Lake County and surrounding Illinois communities to invest in their relationships through couples therapy. Dr. Liara Montesano, Psy.D., Founder and Clinical Director, stated that “mental health providers consistently see an uptick in relationship distress around Valentine’s Day. The holiday amplifies existing issues, like poor communication, emotional disconnection, unmet expectations; and couples who’ve been struggling often reach a crisis point.”
Evidence-Based Couples Therapy
The practice offers evidence-based couples therapy designed to help partners improve communication and conflict resolution skills, rebuild trust and emotional intimacy, navigate major life transitions together, address anxiety, depression, or trauma affecting the relationship, and rediscover connection and shared goals. Dr. Montesano emphasized that “healthy relationships require intentional effort and emotional safety. Couples therapy creates a structured space where partners learn to communicate more effectively and build a lasting connection with dignity and respect.”
To support couples in strengthening their partnerships, Montesano Psychological Center has released a free relationship self-assessment guide. The resource provides questions to evaluate communication patterns and emotional connection, insight into common relationship challenges, guidance on when professional support may be beneficial, and information about what to expect from couples therapy. The practice accepts major insurance networks including Medicaid, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois PPO, Aetna, United Healthcare, and UMR, and offers reduced cash-pay options, statewide telehealth availability, and a complimentary 10-minute consultation for personalized therapist matching.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://menafn.com/1110733675/Montesano-Psychological-Center-Encourages-Couples-To-Give-The-Gift-Of-Counseling-This-Valentines-Day