Couples Counseling

Couples therapy, marriage counseling and support for business partners


Relationships can be a source of deep fulfillment and connection, but they can also be a breeding ground for our deepest wounds and pain.

Despite our best intentions, even the most promising relationships can become fraught with difficulty and leave us feeling disconnected and frustrated.

In our work together, we will take a compassionate and collaborative approach to understanding the patterns and dynamics that are contributing to your relationship struggles. With insight and understanding, we can begin to create meaningful change and cultivate a deeper sense of intimacy and connection.

While it may feel daunting to bring an outsider's perspective into your relationship, it can be immensely helpful to have a neutral third party guide you through the challenges you're facing. Whether you're struggling with communication, trust, past hurts, or simply a feeling of disconnection, couples therapy can offer a safe and supportive space to explore these issues and find a path forward.

Together we can address…

  • sexual infidelity and emotional affairs

  • improving communication

  • increasing intimacy

  • managing dual careers

  • reducing conflicts and arguments

  • sexual issues

  • parenting

  • whether or not to have children

  • breaking-up or staying together

  • pre-marital counseling

And all other of the complex dynamics that inevitably arise within long-term partnerships.

My work is LGBTQIA+ affirming and all forms of partnering are welcomed. I also work with non-romantic dyads such as friendships, founders, and colleagues. In our work together we will explore the intersection of all of your identities because my approach takes into account the social, cultural, and economic forces that influence your individual development and current relationship struggles.

What you can expect

When it comes to couples therapy and marriage counseling, my approach is rooted in the belief that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to be in a relationship. The only thing that truly matters is that it works for both individuals involved. While this may seem straightforward enough, the truth is that implementing this philosophy can be challenging, given the many factors that can impact a relationship, such as differing expectations, backgrounds, desires, and more. Additionally, what once worked in the past may no longer be working now.

That's where I come in.

By working together, we can gain a deeper understanding of both yourself and your partner, and begin to shift the patterns that have led to disconnection in your relationship. Through practical support and guidance, we can cultivate the fulfilling and meaningful connection you both desire.

While relationships may take work, we do not have to work on it alone.

GETTING SET UP:

In the years I have been doing this work I have developed a structure for our time together that offers the consistency and stability necessary to do meaningful psychotherapy.

  • My fee is $300 per session. I do offer a limited number of sliding scale arrangements starting at $195 on an as-needed income basis. Fee will be determined in our initial consultation.

  • Session are 50 minutes and we will meet once a week to start. Please make sure both parties are present for the initial consultation session.

  • I am currently offer both in-person and virtual therapy (California + worldwide). My office is located in downtown San Luis Obispo, CA. For virtual therapy, I use a secure videoconferencing platform and your confidentiality will be held in the upmost regard.

If you are interested in working together, please click the button below to complete the contact form and I will be in touch.

FAQ

  • Absolutely! Couples therapy is not always about keeping the individuals together, but rather about helping each individual decide what is best for themselves and the relationship. If we find ourselves at a place where ending the relationship is the best thing, we can work together to help the two of you break up thoughtfully and address underlying emotional experiences that come up in the process.

  • The initial consultation is a short conversation with whichever partner reached out to determine if I can be of help to the relationship. This is also your opportunity to ask me questions and get a sense of my style of working. If you have any hesitations about starting therapy, let me know and we can talk about it. Additionally, we will also discuss logistics such as the fee and frequency of sessions. If we decide that we would like to move forward, we will schedule a time consistent time for us to begin our work together. If not, I am happy to offer referrals to others who may be a better fit.

  • The first handful of sessions are all about determining if we are a good fit and how I may best support both of your goals. In couples therapy, it is not only important that the three of us are a good match but that I am also a good match for the relationship. In these first few sessions you will have the time, space and opportunity to tell me about yourselves and what has brought you to therapy. We will think together about the issues you are seeking support for and create a mutual agreement on the purpose of our therapy, as well as how we’re going to achieve that purpose.  We will collaborate in order to find the best way for us to work together. 

  • Every session, and every couple, is different.

    However, what I will say is that during our time together you will be encouraged to speak your mind freely and I will help you think about the underlying meaning behind the thoughts and feelings. Nothing is off topic.

    Together we will decide the pace, the direction and the structure that feels most conducive to the goals we have created in the beginning.

  • I do not participate in any health insurance networks or submit insurance claims. This is for confidentiality, sustainability and autonomy purposes. However, I am happy to offer you a monthly super bill for you to submit to your insurance company if your policy provides out-of-network coverage.

    Typically for couples therapy, one individual will be the "identified patient" and you will be billed for "Family Therapy, conjoint psychotherapy with the patient present." We can discuss more about what this means in our initial consultation.

  • My MFT license limits me to work only with couples who reside in the state of California. However, if you are outside of the state and would like to work together, reach out and we can discuss feasibility of working under a coaching relationship.