Couples Counseling Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA
See all therapists in Santa Cruz
Monika Martynska
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I work with individuals,
couples
, families and groups.
Congratulations for taking a step towards creating change. Finding a therapist can be challenging and it is important to find one who is right for you. I offer a free introductory session which we use to get to know each other. Clients often come into my office feeling hopeless or nervous, but usually leave feeling more hopeful and relaxed. I love to see people grow and thrive with the support of therapy. My style is warm, empathic, and collaborative. In our work together we draw on your strengths and wisdom and my goal is to empower you to create a more joyful and fulfilling life.

Bethany Sala
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I offer evidence-based emotion-focused
couples
therapy (EFT).
I am a licensed psychotherapist specializing in
couples
therapy and working with individuals desiring to better understand themselves in
relationship
. I approach the therapeutic
relationship
with compassion and expertise. I am trained in the lasted neuroscience of adult attachment and somatic (soma relating to the body) based interventions. I help clients understand how to regulate their emotions, communicate their needs, integrate nervous system dysregulation, improve their ability to tolerate difficult emotions, and build happy, connected lives.

Anahata Christa Marie Neuman
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA
Verified
Verified
I specialize in treatment of people who experience difficulty with painful emotions, disruptive
relationship
patterns and thoughts of self-harm.
I specialize in helping people reduce their suffering though quality and efficient therapy treatment. I have successfully helped hundreds of clients heal the conditions that perpetuate their suffering. This includes experiences of depression, anxiety, psychosis, PTSD, mania and other causes of psychological pain. The rationale for accurate and timely assessment and application of treatment, is so that you can be more comfortable as soon as possible, enabling a higher quality of life and healing that is sustainable. Please visit my website: https://anahataneuman.com

Kate Whittle-Utter
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
9 Endorsed
Verified
9 Endorsed
My specialties: Anxiety & depression, trauma, women's issues, narcissism & codependency,
couples counseling
&
relationship
issues, and domestic violence.
Therapy can help you find balance, connection, and fulfillment. In order to do so, I believe it's important that we acknowledge the shadow elements of life-the challenges that cause us pain, confusion, and block us from finding a sense of harmony and well-being. I collaborate with you in navigating the shadows and the more buried aspects of your life in order to develop a deeper capacity for balance, personal growth, and healing. To find out more about who I am, how I work, and if I might be the right therapist for you, consider visiting santacruztherapy.org

Shine a Light Counseling Center
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
We are a non-profit counseling agency with locations in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, & Monterey. We provide high quality, affordable psychotherapy and counseling services to individuals,
couples
, families, and groups. Our fees are set on a sliding scale, based upon your income. Our services are provided by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Master's level Interns and Trainees who are under the supervision of a licensed therapist. We would love to answer any questions you may have, or schedule an appointment to meet with you. Simply call or send us an email today!
Not accepting new clients

Thomas Cody Swift
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA
Verified
Verified
I also specialize in
couples
therapy.
*Not currently accepting new clients* Some people sense wisdom within dark places, and seek support to learn and grow through them. Anxiety, depression, and addiction are not merely pathology, but are best understood as part of a larger system that can be brought into awareness. These symptoms may also be fundamentally connected to our greatest gifts and uniqueness - one's sensitivity, awareness, and drive towards growth - often misplaced or misunderstood.

Janet Croteau
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I use my skills as a therapist, artist, and my experience in a 25-year
relationship
to help clients examine their lives, heal from the past, and create connections with themselves and others that bring forth love and vitality.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY: You are one of a kind. There has never been anyone like you and never will be again. Therapy is a place where you have the opportunity to know yourself in a deep and intimate way. The journey towards wholeness begins with embracing (and discovering) our many and often rejected parts that comprise our authentic self. Wounds, triggers and defenses exist for a reason and represent the internal maps that lead to healing.
COUPLES
THERAPY: Relationships are the path to knowing who we are and I believe that what needs to be healed presents itself through the struggles and dynamics that get activated in partnership.

Jillian Chesley
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
With a passion for inspiring individuals to claim their own personal excellence, my expertise is in understanding interpersonal dynamics, and successfully coaching individuals,
couples
, families and groups into reaching their highest self. My background includes a degree in Organizational Communication, a ten year career as a Technical/Corporate Instructor, and six years providing coaching with a Master of Arts in MFT. Along with my private practice, I teach psychology and management classes for University Of Phoenix and am completing a book, Mental Health For Consumers. I look forward to our meeting and the potential of becoming part of your journey.
Not accepting new clients

Lisa Blevins
Psychologist, PhD, CHT
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
I believe in being authentic, creating a
relationship
where acceptance and trust is the foundation, and working as a
partner
to those with whom I meet so that they have the support and guidance to make the changes necessary to improve their quality of life.
I look forward to meeting you and discovering how we can work together to improve your experience of life! I see therapy as one way to prioritize yourself, try something different, and take a risk to address patterns that have not been working for you. My belief is that when you find someone with whom you can trust and who sincerely cares about you, you can then take the steps necessary to create the life you really want. I hope to be that person for you.

R Edward Croteau
Marriage & Family Therapist Intern, MS
Verified
Verified
My approach to individual and
couples
therapy is grounded in cognitive and emotionally focused techniques that can help clients identify outdated thoughts and behaviors.
Together we will explore the impact of your past history and beliefs. I bring an open-minded and introspective approach to exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Many of our struggles internally and externally are due to unmet needs for empathy and understanding.

Heidi Poteet Marini
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, , AMFT, ALPCC
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental
relationship
that doesn't lose sight of your strengths.
Life can be hard but I'm guessing you already knew that. All the hard stuff can leave us feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or sad. Sometimes life's challenges become too difficult to overcome alone. Finding a safe and collaborative place to explore and address what is troubling you is the first step toward healing. Perhaps you are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, or challenges within a
relationship
. While there are no guarantees of what you will experience in therapy, research shows that therapy helps people. It works. Psychotherapy can elevate feelings of self worth, purpose, and improve your overall quality of life.
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David Schulkin
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I am an experienced therapist who has the natural ability to make almost anybody feel comfortable. I have a compassionate and relaxed personal style, which can be good potential fit for therapeutic work with people of many ages and backgrounds. Along with working with individuals, I enjoy working with the interpersonal where there is often powerful opportunities for change. I work well with
couples
, because I am able to see multiple points of view and I have a disarming presence, which makes me easily approachable.

Lighthouse Counseling - Teletherapy Available
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Verified
Verified
Steps away from the beach, Lighthouse Counseling is located on the campus of Janus of Santa Cruz where compassionate licensed and pre-licensed therapists are available to provide client-focused therapy to you and your family. We provide therapy to people who are looking to heal from a variety of challenges including but not limited to addiction, mental health, life transitions,
relationship
issues as well as circumstances linked to poverty, trauma and marginalization. We serve clients with diverse backgrounds and across the life-span (children, youth, adolescents, young adult , adults and older adults)
couples
and families.

Asher Brauner
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, MA
Verified
Verified
I enjoy working with adults experiencing life's challenges, and with
couples
.
There is hope. I've worked with lots of folks who feel hopeless, anxious, upset, angry, or confused, and often their lives improve with positive support. My first goal in therapy is to listen with compassion and help build trust between us. We'll work in whatever way is comfortable for you, and when you're ready, we'll chart a course toward meaningful change. Whether I'm working just with you, or with you and your loved ones, I'll value each person's perspective and help look for positive solutions. To learn more me and about therapy, see my video "Why Go to Therapy?" at https://bit.ly/2UG9Aur

Erik Barnes
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
In my work with individuals,
couples
, children, teens and families I strive to create a warm, nurturing and compassionate environment for personal
exploration and healing. In this space all parts of you are welcome.
I see therapy as a collaboration where you and I
partner
to create an
achievable plan to improve your relationships, increase your sense of
vitality, and work towards your personal goals.
In my work, I have witnessed how life's challenges can create emotional scars that then consciously or unconscious run our lives. These scars can manifest as a variety of mental health and relational issues.

Dylan Jay Brody
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am excited about working with those who are in recovery from addiction, working with
couples
dealing with conflict, working to improve
couples
' sex lives, helping clients explore the inner world of the psyche, and helping people to bring forth incredible curiosity, compassion, and love into their lives.
Welcome. If you’re reading this, it probably means you are looking for something different. If you are looking for individual therapy, I believe I can be of best support to those who have already begun their healing work and are ready to dive deeper. This might involve utilizing current high-tech approaches such as Internal Family Systems (IFS) or Somatic-based therapies, as well as mindfulness and present-moment focused therapy, or possibly delving deeper into your psychological history. However, I am confident, ready, and willing to meet people wherever they are at on their journey. Additionally, I enjoy working with
couples
.

Susie Kim
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, APCC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I work with individuals,
couples
, and families from diverse backgrounds and identities.
Therapy is an opportunity to explore and make better sense of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions and how you may be affected by these components in different parts of your life in a safe non-judgmental space. It is a chance to uncover more about yourself, the patterns that you may have, and how your past may impact how you interact with situations, events, and others. Therapy also can be a time to heal and explore new ways of thinking and being. My approach to therapy is collaborative. I’ll encourage active engagement to help uncover your strengths and resiliencies.
Not accepting new clients

Veronica K. Tonay
Psychologist, PhD, MA
Verified
Verified
Taking only returning clients. For 30 years, I've successfully treated those suffering with the pain and frustration of depression, anxiety, grief,
relationship
issues, creative blocks, and life transitions (several of these overlap!). I earned my doctorate at UC Berkeley, and, in addition to my psychotherapy practice, taught clinical psychology at UCSC until 2018. Psychologists are ethically required to use demonstrated treatments for clients' backgrounds and difficulties. I'm fortunate to have trained in many effective therapeutic methods, tailored to each client's needs & personality. I'm available only via video/phone sessions.

Lauren Reppy
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, PMH-C
Verified
6 Endorsed
Verified
6 Endorsed
I provide support for new or expecting mothers and partners,
couples
, individuals struggling with body image and disordered eating,
relationship
challenges, anxiety, depression, and women's issues. I do this work because I believe that it is every human being's right and potential to live a fulfilled and healthy life, and often, we just need to feel safe, seen, and heard in order to find our way there. If you are ready to experience relief, cultivate new tools that support your healing and growth, and claim your vitality and purpose, I am here to
partner
with you on your journey.

Michelle L Bakalarski
Pre-Licensed Professional, MA, AMFT, APCC, CTP
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
Adults,
couples
, and families benefit from my strength-based, respectful, non-blaming, relational approach.
Hi there. Life is full of challenges that can leave you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and isolated. Sometimes it feels like no one understands. Perhaps you were not sure where to turn, but here you are, and I am so glad you are here. You have taken a brave first step to seek help. I would be honored to join you on your journey to well-being. I believe you are the expert in your life, and together we will reveal the answers already within you. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space to help you clear the fog, revealing clarity, healing, and purpose. EMDR is available to my therapy clients only.
See more therapy options for
Couples Counseling Therapists
Does couples counseling work?
Research shows that couples counseling is effective; it can reduce relationship distress and improve emotional awareness, communication, empathy, intimacy, and overall relationship satisfaction. For example, emotionally focused therapy was found to be effective for about 75 percent of couples, and those benefits lasted at least two years.
When should a couple seek counseling?
Couples can benefit from counseling if they consistently struggle in their relationship. They may have lost the ability to communicate effectively, become entrenched in harmful patterns, begun to fight more than usual, broken the other’s trust, suffered from a mental or physical illness, or faced any number of other challenges. Many therapists offer free consultations, so if a couple isn’t sure whether therapy is necessary, asking directly can provide clarity.
How can I get my partner to go to couples therapy?
The decision to seek couples therapy is often driven by one partner, who then convinces the other to participate. When discussing the idea, the initiator should be direct and assertive. They can state the problems they see and explain how the relationship would benefit from therapy. In more serious cases, they can also explain how their relationship may suffer without making any changes or seeking professional help.
How does a couple prepare for couples counseling?
The anticipation of beginning couples counseling can be difficult—sometimes more difficult than the first session itself. Taking a few moments to reflect can allay those concerns: What are the current challenges? When and how did they begin? What do they want the relationship to look like in the future? Reflecting on these questions can help individuals or couples articulate their goals. Of course, the therapist will also ask questions and guide couples through the process.