Newswise — Time surely does fly – it seems like only yesterday we were saying goodbye to 2015 and ringing in the New Year. Before you know it, Cupid will be here with arrival of Valentine's Day.

For a unique "wrinkle" in this annual media story, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is providing a service to help couples who might be struggling a bit in their relationship, or couples who are doing well and want to take things to the next level. Below is a press release on NSU's Brief Therapy Institute's Relationship Check-Ups, which are free through the first Friday in April.

Why just cover stores selling candy, cards and flowers? Why not delve a little deeper into what the day is all about and talk with experts at NSU about what makes a relationship great? NSU experts stand at the ready to help those in the South Florida community who may need some advice and direction.

FORT LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – It's almost here – the time when the candy, flowers and cards fly off the shelves.

Valentine's Day.

It is supposed to be the one day set aside to express just how much you love someone. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of Madison Avenue, not everyone has a picture-perfect relationship.

But fear not – Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is here to help!

NSU's Brief Therapy Institute (BTI) is currently conducting free “Relationship Check-Ups” each Friday from 3-9 p.m. through Friday, April 1. The BTI is an affordable counseling agency staffed with graduate interns and faculty from the Marriage and Family Therapy program at NSU's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and supervised by John Miller, Ph.D.

"These single sessions provide the chance for you take an inventory of your relationship and see what's working and what needs to be tweaked," Miller said. "It can help start the process to mend a troubled relationship or take good ones to the next level."

The sessions take place at NSU's Brief Therapy Institute, located on NSU's Fort Lauderdale-Davie campus, 3301 College Ave. Those who would like information or to schedule an appointment should call the Brief Therapy Institute at 954-262-3030 (ask for the Single Session Therapy Consultation Service.)

Miller said that studies show that the majority of couples will wait an average of six (6) years in an unhappy relationship before reaching out to get help. Unfortunately, by then it's often difficult to make changes that would have been easier earlier on in the relationship. Miller said that many people do not seek mental health services due to barriers such as stigma, accessibility, and costs. While these sessions are geared around Valentine's Day, they are part of the much larger effort by NSU to break through those barriers and bring mental health counseling and awareness to the South Florida Community.

The service, which is a one-hour private therapy consultation, is designed to be a hassle-free, friendly and convenient way to help any adult individuals and couples identify strengths, needs, areas for growth and change. Couples and individuals with great relationships who are looking for enrichment, as well as couples who are having difficulties, are welcome to call and make an appointment.

"For some people the thought of talking to a therapist might seem intimidating," Miller said. "This is meant to be a hassle-free way to consult with a therapist and, hopefully, benefit from the experience. People get 'check-ups' with professionals about their health, finances and careers – why not do the same for your relationship?"

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About Nova Southeastern University (NSU): Located in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and first-professional degree levels. A private, not-for-profit institution with more than 24,000 students, NSU has campuses in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Miramar, Orlando, Palm Beach, and Tampa, Florida, as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico, while maintaining a presence online globally. For more than 50 years, NSU has been awarding degrees in a wide range of fields, while fostering groundbreaking research and an impactful commitment to community. Classified as a research university with "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU is 1 of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie's Community Engagement Classification, and is also the largest private, not-for-profit institution in the United States that meets the U.S. Department of Education's criteria as a Hispanic-serving Institution. Please visit www.nova.edu for more information.