Couples Therapy
Whether you need traditional couples counseling or premarital, discernment, or separation/divorce support, we use evidenced based approaches to create a strong foundation, strengthen connection, gain clarity, and foster respect & cooperation.
Traditional Couples Counseling
Don’t wait for a crisis to seek couples counseling
Many couples seek counseling as a way of ensuring the health of the relationship. Therapy can help any relationship that wants to grow stronger, feel closer, or handle challenges more smoothly.
You might consider couples therapy if you:
Find yourselves arguing over the same things again and again
Feel misunderstood or disconnected from each other
Are going through big life changes like a move, career shift, or parenting challenges
Want to rebuild a sense of trust after a difficult situation
Just want to feel closer, communicate better, and enjoy your relationship more
Even if things aren’t “bad,” couples counseling can give you tools to connect more deeply, handle conflicts more effectively, and strengthen your partnership. Think of it as a way to invest in your relationship and make it the best it can be.
“Conflict in relationships is not the problem. How couples engage in it may be. ”
What if we are in crisis? Is it too late to seek support?
No. For couples in high conflict or crisis, it’s not too late. Couples counseling can help break destructive patterns, rebuild trust, and create a path toward healing together.
Here are some common crisis situations that often lead couples to seek therapy:
Infidelity or breach of trust
Constant or escalating conflict and arguments
Emotional disconnection or loss of intimacy
Financial stress or disagreements
Major life transitions (e.g., moving, new baby, job change, retirement)
Coping with illness, grief, or trauma
Parenting conflicts or blended family challenges
Considering separation or divorce
With the right support, many couples discover new ways to connect, even in the most difficult seasons.
How we work with couples
We believe strongly that couples who think of the relationship as a whole and separate entity from each partner as individuals, become more bonded and resilient. Think “us against the problem” not “us against each other.” Our Gottman Trained therapist, Leslie Taylor, understands every relationship is unique, so she tailors couples counseling to fit your specific needs. These may include:
Communicate more effectively and really listen to each other
Resolve conflicts in healthy ways - conflict isn’t the problem, how you engage in it may be
Identify patterns that get in the way of connection
Build trust, intimacy, and emotional closeness
Navigate big life changes or stressful situations that are creating extra pressure on the relationship
In addition to The Gottman Method, we also draw from other evidence-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and solution-focused strategies. These tools help you work through challenges while strengthening the emotional connection at the heart of your relationship.
We are here to help you navigate challenges, rebuild trust, and create a relationship that’s not just functional, but fulfilling.
Premarital Counseling
Supporting couples as they prepare to join their lives
Why it matters
Premarital counseling helps couples start their marriage with intention, understanding, and a strong emotional foundation. It’s not just for couples who are struggling—it’s for anyone who wants to build healthy habits and deepen their connection before stepping into a lifelong commitment.
By developing practical tools and deeper emotional awareness together, couples learn how to handle challenges with empathy and teamwork. Premarital counseling isn’t about preventing problems—it’s about preparing you to face them together, with love, respect, and confidence in your partnership.\
Our Approach with Premarital Couples
We’re passionate about helping couples prepare for marriage or long-term partnership. Premarital counseling is a chance to strengthen your connection and lay the groundwork for a lasting, fulfilling relationship. Together, we’ll explore how you communicate, handle conflict, and show love and appreciation for one another. Drawing from Gottman principles, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and mindfulness practices, we’ll build awareness, deepen understanding, and develop practical tools for staying connected through life’s changes.
We’ll also spend time discussing your shared vision for the future and navigating key topics—like money, family, intimacy, and personal values—that can sometimes feel tough to approach on your own. Our goal is to create a supportive, open space where you can grow closer, strengthen your foundation, and step into this next chapter with confidence and care.
Discernment Counseling
Helping couples discern if they want to work on the relationship or separate
We provide discernment counseling for couples who feel unsure about the future of their relationship—when one partner may be considering separation while the other is still hoping to work things out. This process offers a structured and supportive way to pause, reflect, and gain clarity before making any major decisions about your next steps. It’s a short form process of counseling and generally takes 5-6 sessions.
Together, we’ll create space for both partners to feel heard and understood. We’ll look at what has brought you to this point, what efforts have already been made, and what each of you envisions for the future—both individually and as a couple. Through Gottman-informed insights, Emotionally Focused techniques, and mindfulness-based practices, we’ll work to reduce tension and open the door to honest, compassionate communication.
Discernment counseling isn’t about rushing to fix the relationship—it’s about slowing down and understanding what’s really happening. Our goal is to help you both move toward greater clarity, confidence, and peace, whatever path you decide to take.
Separation or Divorce Counseling
Helping couples who’ve decided to separate
Couples counseling isn’t only for saving a relationship—it can also be a supportive space when you and your partner have decided to separate. Ending a relationship is never easy; it often brings a mix of emotions like grief, guilt, anger, and uncertainty. Through counseling, we work together to create a respectful, compassionate space where both partners can communicate openly and calmly about needs, expectations, and decisions.
We’ll also address the practical aspects that come with separation—such as co-parenting, finances, or living arrangements—while helping you set healthy boundaries that protect both individuals. The goal isn’t to push toward a specific outcome, but to help you make thoughtful, intentional choices with emotional support and clarity. Together, we’ll focus on reducing conflict, finding understanding, and creating a sense of closure and respect as you move forward—especially when children are part of the picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A healthier, more stable partnership provides a positive model for children and creates a more supportive home environment. Children in these households are often better able to regulate their own emotions and feel more secure.
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Many parents wonder how to talk to their kids about therapy. Your therapist will help you figure out what to share and how to say it, based on your child’s age and maturity, so your child feels informed, safe, and supported.
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Sometimes couples feel like the domestic or emotional work at home isn’t shared equally. Often, underneath these frustrations are feelings of being unsupported, neglected, or unappreciated.
A therapist can help you get to the heart of these emotions, address the imbalance, and help restructure each other’s contributions in a way that feels fair, supportive, and validating.
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Couples therapy isn’t always easy, but it’s a safe space for working through challenges together. Your therapist will help you face difficult topics with understanding and respect, guiding you both toward meaningful, positive change.
Although things may feel harder at first, this is a common part of the growth process. Examining wounds in order to heal them is not always comfortable, but your therapist is there to navigate it with you and support you through it.
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There’s no set timeline for couples counseling—every relationship is unique. How long therapy lasts depends on the challenges you’re facing, the chosen approach, and how actively you and your partner engage in the process.
For some couples, a few months of sessions may bring meaningful progress, while others may benefit from ongoing work over a year or more. The important thing is that therapy moves at a pace that fits your relationship and supports real, lasting growth.
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Most couples therapy sessions last 90 minutes, giving you and your partner plenty of time to explore challenges, practice new communication skills, and work toward your goals. We also understand that schedules can be busy, so 60-minute sessions are available and can still provide meaningful support and progress for your relationship.
Some sessions may be slightly shorter or longer depending on what’s happening in the moment or the specific needs of your relationship. Think of each session as a dedicated space to focus on your connection—enough time to dive into meaningful conversations while still keeping it manageable and productive.
