Couples & Relationship Therapy
Using emotionally focused therapy and the Gottman Method, I help couples understand their emotional dynamics and learn to communicate effectively.
The Struggle
Do you and your partner feel stuck in the same argument, disconnected despite still caring, or unsure how to repair after being hurt? It’s profoundly exhausting to care deeply about someone yet feel completely misunderstood. Over time, recurring arguments, unsaid words, and unhealed hurts create an invisible wall between you. You might find yourselves living like efficient roommates—coordinating schedules and managing household logistics—while longing for the warmth, laughter, and emotional intimacy you used to share.
How Therapy Helps
Using emotionally focused therapy alongside the Gottman Method, we work to understand the emotional patterns and dynamics driving your disconnection, not just the surface-level argument. Therapy offers a structured, neutral space to decode what's really happening beneath your conflicts and replace defensive reactions with real emotional safety. Together, we'll build your ability to communicate emotionally in a way that actually reaches each other, rebuild trust, deepen your friendship, and create a resilient partnership that can withstand life's transitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Couples & Relationship Therapy
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Yes, I am currently accepting new couples, adult individuals, and families for both in-person and online sessions. You can schedule a complimentary 10-minute phone consultation using the online calendar on this page to discuss your relationship goals and check current time-slot availability.
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My physical office is located at 101 S. Kraemer Blvd, Suite 230, Placentia, CA 92870, serving couples across Placentia, Yorba Linda, and the greater Orange County area. I also offer secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth couples sessions for partners residing anywhere within the state of California.
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The simplest way to begin is by booking a brief, 10-minute introductory phone call by calling or texting the number on this site. We'll briefly discuss what brings you and your partner to therapy, answer logistics questions, and find a recurring weekly time slot that fits both of your schedules.
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I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance companies directly. However, if you have a PPO insurance plan, I can provide you with an itemized monthly statement called a superbill upon request. You can submit this directly to your insurer for potential out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan's benefits.
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Couples Therapy is $225 per session. (Individual Therapy is $205 per session, and Family Therapy is $295 per session). Sliding scale available.
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Payment is processed at the time of service. I accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), cash, check, and HSA or FSA cards.
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Yes, fully. I provide an inclusive, safe, and affirming space for LGBTQ+, same-sex, non-binary, and gender-diverse couples. Whether you are navigating general communication, intimacy, societal/familial stressors, or unique relational milestones, your relationship will be welcomed with complete dignity and respect.
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I work regularly with interfaith couples, partners with differing levels of religious observance, and couples where one or both partners are actively deconstructing, questioning, or processing religious trauma. Therapy offers a non-judgmental space to navigate shared values, honor individual convictions, address family expectations, and find alignment on topics like raising children, holidays, and community.
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No. I don't see couples as problems to be fixed, and I don't bring an agenda about what you should believe. I see each couple as two individuals with a unique shared story that deserves to be understood with curiosity and compassion. If faith is important to your relationship, we can integrate your values into our work; if not, we won't.
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When you arrive at my Placentia office, you are welcome to take a seat in the waiting area, and I will greet you both at our exact appointment time. During our first session, we will focus on understanding your shared history, identifying the negative communication loops holding you back, and defining clear goals for your relationship. For optimal momentum, I typically recommend meeting weekly for the first four weeks of care.
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Not at all. You don't need to know which therapeutic model fits best before reaching out. Drawing on over 29 years of clinical experience, I integrate evidence-based techniques from the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Psychodynamic patterns, and trauma-informed care (EMDR) based on your unique relationship needs. We will collaborate on a personalized plan together.
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No. In couples therapy, the client is the relationship itself, not either individual partner. My role is to remain objective, neutral, and compassionate toward both of you, helping you identify underlying patterns without assigning fault or declaring a "winner" in arguments.
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It is completely normal for one partner to feel uncertain or anxious about starting therapy. You are welcome to begin with a brief consultation to address any concerns. Framing therapy as a neutral, collaborative space to improve communication—rather than a place to assign blame—often helps ease a partner's hesitation.
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The duration depends on your goals and the complexity of what you are navigating together. While many couples gain clarity and practical communication tools within 8 to 12 sessions, others choose to remain in therapy longer to navigate deeper pattern shifts, heal past betrayals, or build long-term relational resilience. We will regularly review your progress together.
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Yes. Therapy provides a structured, safe environment to explore your feelings and options without pressure. If you are unsure about the future of your relationship, we can use our time to help both partners gain clarity, communicate honestly, and make informed decisions about whether to rebuild the relationship or transition apart amicably.
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Codependency in a relationship often looks like one or both partners losing their individual identity, struggling to set personal boundaries, prioritizing the other's emotional state over their own, or feeling constantly responsible for keeping the peace. Couples therapy helps you establish healthy emotional boundaries, improve self-differentiation, and build a balanced partnership based on mutual support rather than caretaking.
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Yes. Research consistently shows telehealth couples therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions. Virtual sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform for couples anywhere in California, making it easier for partners with busy work or family schedules to attend sessions together from home or office.
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An LMFT is a licensed mental health professional trained specifically in relational and systemic therapy. This means my primary training centers on understanding how dynamics, interaction loops, and generational patterns between people shape a relationship. This specialized focus ensures your therapy goes beyond individual advice to address the core patterns of your relationship.
Ready to Get Started?
01. Reach Out —Fill out the brief consultation form below to take the first step. I will reach out to you in 24 hours.
02. Connect —We’ll have a free 10-minute consultation call to discuss what you're experiencing and address any logistics.
03. Begin the Work —Begin weekly sessions in-person or via secure telehealth to learn practical tools and restore closeness in your partnership.
This contact form is for non-urgent scheduling inquiries only. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or feeling unsafe, please call 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
