Couples therapy
Why couples seek support
It’s common for couples to reach a point where their usual ways of communicating or repairing simply aren’t working anymore. Most of these couples come to therapy because things feel stuck—patterns keep repeating, communication gets tangled, intimacy fades, or conflict escalates in ways neither partner knows how to stop.
Often the relationship is carrying unspoken hurt, unresolved history, attachment wounds, or patterns that each partner learned long before the relationship began. When tension builds, couples naturally start seeing their partner as the source of the problem.
My work reframes the question from “Who’s at fault?” to “What’s happening between us, and how are we co-creating it?”
This shift opens the door to transformation.
My approach:
Present-moment relational awareness
Rather than only analyzing the past, I help you pay attention to what’s happening right now — the micro-expressions, the tightening in your chest, the small withdrawals, the surges of anger, the patterns that play out in real time.
You’ll learn to:
Slow down and notice emotional reactions as they arise
Speak from direct experience instead of from blame or interpretation
Hear your partner with clarity and less defensiveness
Identify the needs underneath your frustrations, longing, fear, and shutdown
This creates a level of intimacy and honesty most couples without guidance simply cannot access on their own.
Communication that actually works
My style incorporates elements of Nonviolent Communication without jargon or scripts. Together you’ll practice:
Expressing feelings without attacking
Making clear requests instead of hidden demands
Listening to your partner in a way that builds safety
Recognizing “protector” patterns that shut down connection
Repairing ruptures without spiraling into shame or escalation
Couples often tell me this is the first time they’ve truly felt heard by each other.
Attachment dynamics, body awareness, and emotional patterns
I help couples understand how their nervous systems interact—how one partner’s withdrawal triggers the other’s pursuit, or how anger, shutdown, and defensiveness show up somatically.
We might look at:
Childhood attachment styles influencing present-day reactions
The tender places each partner protects
The “cycle” you get caught in and how to interrupt it
How shame, fear, or anger shape intimacy and closeness
Understanding these patterns gives you more freedom to choose how you show up with each other.
Experiential work (for couples willing to go deeper)
For couples who want more embodied or expressive work, I draw on Core Energetics–inspired techniques to help move stuck emotional energy:
Structured anger expression
Boundaried movement to express frustration or hurt
Grounding and breathwork to help repair safety
Experiential exercises to access vulnerability beneath reactivity
This work can accelerate healing when words alone aren’t enough.
Who This Work Is For
Couples therapy with me is a strong fit if:
Both partners are willing to show up honestly and take responsibility
You value emotional awareness and want tools that improve connection
You’re tired of repeating the same arguments
You want to rebuild trust, intimacy, or communication
You’re open to learning new relational skills and trying experiential exercises
You want therapy that’s grounded, direct, heartfelt, and transformative
Who This Work Is Not For
This approach typically isn’t a fit if:
One partner is unwilling to participate or invest in the process
You’re hoping I’ll take sides or confirm that the other partner is the problem
There is ongoing violence, coercion, or active abuse (this requires a different level of intervention)
You’re looking for quick fixes rather than deeper relational healing
What you can expect
Through this work, couples learn to:
Shift out of blame and into curiosity
Communicate without shaming, shutting down, or escalating
Repair ruptures in real time
Understand each other’s deeper emotional world
Build safety, trust, and intimacy
Develop relational resilience that lasts
Couples therapy helps you become more aware, more connected, and more capable of navigating conflict in ways that bring you closer instead of further apart.
It’s not about perfection — it’s about learning how to show up in a more conscious, grounded, and loving way.
Practical Note
My dog is present in my home office and is typically part of the therapy environment. Couples need to be dog-friendly and comfortable with her presence.
Frequently asked questions
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No. I don’t view one partner as “the problem.” I focus on the cycle you’re both caught in — how you trigger, protect, react, and repair. The goal isn’t to determine who’s right, but to understand what’s happening between you.
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That’s normal. We’ll move at a pace that feels respectful for both of you. Therapy can still be effective as long as each partner is at least willing to show up and explore what’s happening in the relationship.
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Both. I guide couples through present-moment awareness, communication tools, and embodied practices. Some sessions focus on meaningful dialogue; others involve structured exercises to help you feel and repair relational patterns directly.
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Yes — high-conflict dynamics are something we can work through as long as there is no active violence or coercion. I help couples slow down reactivity, repair ruptures, and find safer ways to express strong emotions.
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Absolutely. I work with couples of all genders, orientations, structures, and identities.
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Couples therapy sessions are currently $165 per session.
I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. Many couples are still able to receive partial reimbursement through their insurance plan.
You can find more detail about fees, insurance, and out-of-network reimbursement — including a tool to check benefits — here.
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It varies. Some couples experience meaningful shifts in a few months; others benefit from a longer, deeper process. We will clarify goals so you know what we’re working toward.
Ready to begin?
Schedule a free consultation.