Couples and Relationship Therapy
Creating a relationship that feels more vibrant
Modern relationships are asked to do a lot at once: be safe and spontaneous, be best friends and passionate lovers, feel emotionally close and physically alive. When those expectations collide, intimacy can start to feel confusing, lonely, or like something you’ve quietly given up on.
Even the strongest relationships can go through difficult periods. Sometimes the same arguments keep happening, emotional or physical intimacy begins to fade, or you find yourselves feeling more like roommates than partners. Other times, there isn't one particular problem, but a sense that something between you has shifted.
Couples therapy offers an opportunity to slow down, better understand one another, and begin changing the patterns that may be getting in the way of connection.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, I work with couples who want to navigate challenges, deepen their understanding of one another, and build relationships that feel more connected and satisfying.
My approach is warm, direct, and collaborative. Together, we'll explore what's happening beneath the surface of your relationship and work toward creating meaningful and lasting change.
What brings couples to therapy?
Every relationship has its own history, dynamics, and challenges. Sometimes couples seek therapy during a crisis, while others come because they want to be more intentional about the relationship they're building.
I work with couples navigating concerns such as:
Communication difficulties: Feeling misunderstood, struggling to express needs, or finding that conversations quickly turn into arguments.
Recurring conflict: Getting caught in the same arguments or relationship patterns without finding a way forward.
Emotional disconnection: Feeling distant, lonely, or less connected to your partner.
Intimacy and sexuality: Navigating desire differences, changes in sexual intimacy, or difficulty talking openly about sex.
Trust and infidelity: Processing betrayal, rebuilding trust, and deciding how to move forward.
Life transitions: Adjusting to parenthood, career changes, aging, family dynamics, or other major life changes.
Different needs and expectations: Working through differences in values, priorities, or visions for the future.
Relationship maintenance: Strengthening an already good relationship and developing a deeper understanding of one another.
You don't need to be on the verge of separation to benefit from couples therapy. Sometimes the most meaningful work happens when couples recognize that they want something more from their relationship.
Understanding the patterns that shape your relationship
Most couples don't get stuck because they don't care about one another. Often, they get caught in patterns that neither person knows how to change.
One partner may pursue connection while the other withdraws. A conversation about something seemingly small can quickly become an argument about feeling unimportant, criticized, or misunderstood. Over time, these patterns can create distance and make it increasingly difficult to feel like you're on the same team.
In therapy, we'll look beyond the immediate disagreements to better understand what's happening underneath them. We'll explore how each of you experiences the relationship, what you may be needing from one another, and how your individual histories influence the ways you connect.
The goal isn't simply to argue less. It's to develop a deeper understanding of one another and create new ways of relating that feel more supportive, secure, and fulfilling.
My approach to couples therapy
I believe that the quality of our relationships has a profound impact on the satisfaction and meaning we experience in our lives.
My approach is relational and attachment-informed, with an emphasis on understanding the emotional dynamics that shape how we connect with others. I work to create an environment where both partners feel heard, understood, and able to explore difficult topics with honesty and curiosity.
Rather than taking sides or assigning blame, we'll work together to understand the patterns that are keeping you stuck and identify opportunities for change.
I also believe that relationships are not one-size-fits-all. I offer an affirming space for queer couples and people in consensual non-monogamous and polyamorous relationships.
Whether you're working through a difficult period or simply hoping to deepen your connection, therapy can help you build a relationship that better reflects what matters to both of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we consider couples therapy?
Couples therapy can be helpful at many different stages of a relationship. You might be experiencing recurring conflict, struggling with intimacy, navigating a major life transition, or simply feeling less connected than you once did. You don't have to wait until things become a crisis to seek support.
What if one partner is more interested in therapy than the other?
It's common for partners to have different levels of enthusiasm about starting therapy. One person may feel hopeful, while the other may feel hesitant or uncertain about what therapy will involve. We can make space for both experiences and explore what each of you needs in order to feel comfortable engaging in the process.
Do you work with couples experiencing sexual difficulties?
Yes. As an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, I have specialized training in working with couples around sexual concerns, including desire differences, sexual disconnection, and difficulties with intimacy. Depending on your goals, we can integrate sex therapy into our couples work. Learn more about Sex Therapy.
Do you work with queer and polyamorous couples?
Absolutely. I offer an affirming space for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, as well as people in consensual non-monogamous and polyamorous relationships. I welcome a range of relationship structures and identities.
What happens during couples therapy?
Sessions provide an opportunity for both partners to share their experiences, better understand recurring relationship patterns, and practice new ways of communicating and connecting. We'll work collaboratively to identify your goals and tailor the process to your particular relationship.
Do you offer virtual couples therapy?
Yes. I offer virtual couples therapy to clients in California and Oregon, as well as in-person sessions in Mill Valley, California.
Your relationship is worth investing in
You don't have to keep having the same conversations or feel disconnected from the person you want to feel closest to.
Couples therapy can be an opportunity to understand one another more deeply, move through difficult moments, and create a relationship that feels more connected and meaningful.
If you're considering couples therapy, I'd love to connect.