Photo of Gabrielle Simmons, Counselor in Santa Rosa, CA
Gabrielle Simmons
Counselor, MA, LPCC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
If you are feeling disconnected from yourself, your partner, or from others, that the weight of the past is becoming too heavy to carry on your own, or that your life is missing flavor or joy, I would like to work with you to support the change you seek.
If you are feeling disconnected from yourself, your partner, or from others, that the weight of the past is becoming too heavy to carry on your own, or that your life is missing flavor or joy, I would like to work with you to support the change you seek.
(707) 702-5011 View (707) 702-5011
Photo of Helen Schoenhals Hart, Licensed Psychoanalyst in Santa Rosa, CA
Helen Schoenhals Hart
Licensed Psychoanalyst
Verified Verified
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Perhaps you have some symptom that's bothering you: writer's cramp, an embarrassing blushing problem, relationship or sexual difficulties, an eating disorder, a problem with anger, or perhaps you have debilitating anxiety attacks. Or you simply are unhappy, depressed and dissatisfied with your life, even though you are relatively successful. The list of possible symptoms is endless. As a psychoanalyst, I can assist you on the classic and still the most adventurous road to relief: the search for self-understanding. Also, should you need it, I offer short-term counseling and couples therapy.
Perhaps you have some symptom that's bothering you: writer's cramp, an embarrassing blushing problem, relationship or sexual difficulties, an eating disorder, a problem with anger, or perhaps you have debilitating anxiety attacks. Or you simply are unhappy, depressed and dissatisfied with your life, even though you are relatively successful. The list of possible symptoms is endless. As a psychoanalyst, I can assist you on the classic and still the most adventurous road to relief: the search for self-understanding. Also, should you need it, I offer short-term counseling and couples therapy.
(415) 689-9225 View (415) 689-9225

Online Therapists

Photo of Silvia MacAllister Voermanek, Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Silvia MacAllister Voermanek
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PCC, MA
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94114
Fühlen Sie sich nervös, depressiv, wütend oder verloren? Haben Sie das Gefühl, dass Sie nicht vorankommen? Suchen Sie nach neuen Zielen in Ihrem Leben? Als Psychotherapeutin und Life & Executive Coach praktiziere ich seit 20 Jahren in San Francsico und coache auch Klienten weltweit virtuell. Meine Kunden sind Erwachsene, Jugendliche, Kinder, Paare, Gruppen, Familien und Organisationen aus allen Lebensbereichen.
Fühlen Sie sich nervös, depressiv, wütend oder verloren? Haben Sie das Gefühl, dass Sie nicht vorankommen? Suchen Sie nach neuen Zielen in Ihrem Leben? Als Psychotherapeutin und Life & Executive Coach praktiziere ich seit 20 Jahren in San Francsico und coache auch Klienten weltweit virtuell. Meine Kunden sind Erwachsene, Jugendliche, Kinder, Paare, Gruppen, Familien und Organisationen aus allen Lebensbereichen.
(415) 965-2414 View (415) 965-2414
Photo of Marty Schwebel, Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Marty Schwebel
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
7 Endorsed
Petaluma, CA 94954
The road to inner freedom begins with the decision to not walk alone. Inviting the right support helps you gain insights to reach your goals and destiny. You may be dealing with past trauma, depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem, or looking to find a life-partner, preparing for marriage, or seeking to enrich existing relationships. Whatever your path, I invite you to reach out and let me walk with you. Meet me at my office, or from the comfort of your home via video counseling.
The road to inner freedom begins with the decision to not walk alone. Inviting the right support helps you gain insights to reach your goals and destiny. You may be dealing with past trauma, depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem, or looking to find a life-partner, preparing for marriage, or seeking to enrich existing relationships. Whatever your path, I invite you to reach out and let me walk with you. Meet me at my office, or from the comfort of your home via video counseling.
(707) 832-4954 View (707) 832-4954
Photo of Peter Geiger, Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Peter Geiger
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94146  (Online Only)
If you're partnered, things will improve for both you and your partner.
You're feeling generally dissatisfied, like you drew the short straw. You make it look not too bad on the outside, yet feel unfulfilled in relationships with lover, family, friends, coworkers. You have concerns about overdoing something (drinking, working, internet), or a generalized anxiety, perfectionism, or people-pleasing. I am a highly interactive therapist. I know when to bring in humor--and when to go to the dark places with you. Together we will look at how you got here. Through identifying your beliefs, attitudes and needs around relationships and intimacy, we will find the key to unlocking your wellbeing.
If you're partnered, things will improve for both you and your partner.
You're feeling generally dissatisfied, like you drew the short straw. You make it look not too bad on the outside, yet feel unfulfilled in relationships with lover, family, friends, coworkers. You have concerns about overdoing something (drinking, working, internet), or a generalized anxiety, perfectionism, or people-pleasing. I am a highly interactive therapist. I know when to bring in humor--and when to go to the dark places with you. Together we will look at how you got here. Through identifying your beliefs, attitudes and needs around relationships and intimacy, we will find the key to unlocking your wellbeing.
(415) 786-6680 View (415) 786-6680
Photo of Gabriele Hilberg, Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Gabriele Hilberg
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT
Verified Verified
Mountain View, CA 94040
"Are you in a major life transition? I specialize in working with individuals and couples who are interested in examining those aspects of your life that are not working and have you stressed out. I help my clients uncover their core issues rapidly, generate breakthroughs and offer you tools to achieve sustainable results.
"Are you in a major life transition? I specialize in working with individuals and couples who are interested in examining those aspects of your life that are not working and have you stressed out. I help my clients uncover their core issues rapidly, generate breakthroughs and offer you tools to achieve sustainable results.
(415) 799-7467 View (415) 799-7467
Photo of Hans Jorg Stahlschmidt, Psychologist in Santa Rosa, CA
Hans Jorg Stahlschmidt
Psychologist, PhD , PACT, Diplom, Psychol
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Berkeley, CA 94707  (Online Only)
Developing and maintaining a vital and fulfilling long-term relationship is one of the most difficult challenges we face in our lifetimes. I see impasses and breakdowns such as extensive arguing, lack of desire or estrangement as "natural and necessary failures" that point towards deeper individual issues that need to be addressed and worked through. In couples' sessions I help each partner to find a differentiated stance, interrupt dysfunctional patterns and develop healthier ways of relating and dealing with conflicts. In addition to working with couples and individuals, men's issues have been a focus of my interest for three decades.
Developing and maintaining a vital and fulfilling long-term relationship is one of the most difficult challenges we face in our lifetimes. I see impasses and breakdowns such as extensive arguing, lack of desire or estrangement as "natural and necessary failures" that point towards deeper individual issues that need to be addressed and worked through. In couples' sessions I help each partner to find a differentiated stance, interrupt dysfunctional patterns and develop healthier ways of relating and dealing with conflicts. In addition to working with couples and individuals, men's issues have been a focus of my interest for three decades.
(510) 470-7521 View (510) 470-7521
Photo of Peter Oppermann, Psychologist in Santa Rosa, CA
Peter Oppermann
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Feeling restless or easily distracted? Lacking energy, motivation, focus, or direction in life? Spinning your wheels in your career or relationships? Prone to pleasing others at all costs, yet feeling unhappy and misunderstood? Always too busy to stop and smell the flowers? I'd like to help you become more empowered, confident, and satisfied through facing and letting go of your fears, irritating beliefs, guilt, and suffering, so you can learn to communicate more effectively and have healthy relationships. For more than twenty-five years I have provided time-limited and in-depth psychotherapy to individuals, couples and groups.
Feeling restless or easily distracted? Lacking energy, motivation, focus, or direction in life? Spinning your wheels in your career or relationships? Prone to pleasing others at all costs, yet feeling unhappy and misunderstood? Always too busy to stop and smell the flowers? I'd like to help you become more empowered, confident, and satisfied through facing and letting go of your fears, irritating beliefs, guilt, and suffering, so you can learn to communicate more effectively and have healthy relationships. For more than twenty-five years I have provided time-limited and in-depth psychotherapy to individuals, couples and groups.
(925) 365-6955 View (925) 365-6955
Photo of Brett Wheeler, Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Brett Wheeler
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, JD, PhD
Verified Verified
Berkeley, CA 94709
I have a background in mindfulness and evidence-based psychodynamic therapies, mentalization based therapy, somatic therapy for PTSD and developmental trauma, anger management, and the relationship between Buddhist practice and psychotherapy.
My practice focuses on issues of self-esteem, relational intimacy, shame, personality disturbances, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. I work relationally and dynamically with a present-centered approach on issues as they are currently manifesting but with an eye to how they reflect deeper structures of clients' personalities and values. Therapy is not focused on fixing things, but on relaxing patterns of thinking, becoming more flexible in communicating emotion, building resilience, and being able to be more creative and trusting of oneself and others.
I have a background in mindfulness and evidence-based psychodynamic therapies, mentalization based therapy, somatic therapy for PTSD and developmental trauma, anger management, and the relationship between Buddhist practice and psychotherapy.
My practice focuses on issues of self-esteem, relational intimacy, shame, personality disturbances, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. I work relationally and dynamically with a present-centered approach on issues as they are currently manifesting but with an eye to how they reflect deeper structures of clients' personalities and values. Therapy is not focused on fixing things, but on relaxing patterns of thinking, becoming more flexible in communicating emotion, building resilience, and being able to be more creative and trusting of oneself and others.
(415) 562-4142 View (415) 562-4142
Photo of Maggie Homsy, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Maggie Homsy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW, SEP, NARM-T
Verified Verified
Middletown, CA 95461
While I have been trained in a variety of "techniques," I focus on individual needs and find the therapeutic relationship to be of utmost importantance.
I specialize in treating trauma and chronic stress, in particular developmental trauma. I work holistically and incorporate the body-mind perspective in my work. I have completed the three-year (216 hour) training to become a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), which is a short-term naturalistic approach to healing trauma. I have also completed the two-year (144 hour) training in the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), which is a treatment approach that addresses developmental trauma, i.e. childhood trauma. I am currently studying Psychoanalysis at the Psychoanalytic Association of California (PINC).
While I have been trained in a variety of "techniques," I focus on individual needs and find the therapeutic relationship to be of utmost importantance.
I specialize in treating trauma and chronic stress, in particular developmental trauma. I work holistically and incorporate the body-mind perspective in my work. I have completed the three-year (216 hour) training to become a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), which is a short-term naturalistic approach to healing trauma. I have also completed the two-year (144 hour) training in the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), which is a treatment approach that addresses developmental trauma, i.e. childhood trauma. I am currently studying Psychoanalysis at the Psychoanalytic Association of California (PINC).
(707) 394-4074 View (707) 394-4074
Photo of Helga Fasching, Psychologist in Santa Rosa, CA
Helga Fasching
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Sausalito, CA 94965
For women, men, and couples midlife and long term infertility are life stages that can be filled with grief, confusion, transition and lack of control. My clients come to me saying, “I’m not who I used to be, and I’m not sure who I am now. Don't know how we can move forward.” I am passionate about people in their 40’s and 50’s because I believe that a “third act” is lying just ahead. It’s a stage in life that can be fulfilling, exciting and meaningful. It just doesn't always feel that way.
For women, men, and couples midlife and long term infertility are life stages that can be filled with grief, confusion, transition and lack of control. My clients come to me saying, “I’m not who I used to be, and I’m not sure who I am now. Don't know how we can move forward.” I am passionate about people in their 40’s and 50’s because I believe that a “third act” is lying just ahead. It’s a stage in life that can be fulfilling, exciting and meaningful. It just doesn't always feel that way.
(415) 749-9223 View (415) 749-9223
Photo of Karin Schlanger, Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Karin Schlanger
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, Lic
Verified Verified
Palo Alto, CA 94301
"What is the trouble that brings you in today?" I always start our conversation this way. I begin sessions by focusing on the here and now and filling in the past as needed. I help individuals struggling to create relationships that are fulfilling enough, work with parents, teens, couples and individuals trying to find satisfying relationships, be effective in the workplace or school and channel their behavior productively. You are likely frustrated and have tried a to get results for yourself or a loved one: try something else! .My style is warm, pragmatic and grounded in meeting you where you are hurting most to cultivate change.
"What is the trouble that brings you in today?" I always start our conversation this way. I begin sessions by focusing on the here and now and filling in the past as needed. I help individuals struggling to create relationships that are fulfilling enough, work with parents, teens, couples and individuals trying to find satisfying relationships, be effective in the workplace or school and channel their behavior productively. You are likely frustrated and have tried a to get results for yourself or a loved one: try something else! .My style is warm, pragmatic and grounded in meeting you where you are hurting most to cultivate change.
(650) 334-1591 View (650) 334-1591
Photo of Ina von Ber, Psychologist in Santa Rosa, CA
Ina von Ber
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94104
COUPLES: Do you feel like you have a bump in your relationship and need to hit the reset button? Are you wondering what’s next, but don’t know where to begin? Building on a strength-based approach, we can navigate through stressful times and learn how to make good choices for yourself, create more balance, harmony, and fulfillment in your relationships.
LIFE & EXEC Coaching- Welcome, Willkommen, Bienvenue! Executives, Expats, Gov., Mil.,Diplomatic Community ! We work together to set & accomplish your goals! Clients successfully decreased stress & anxiety, achieve work-life balance, enhance communication & interpersonal skills, improve time management & productivity, sharpen decision-making skills, improve relationships with colleagues, friends, and family, gain clarity & focus on personal & professional goals, improve leadership and management skills, unleash creativity & innovation.
COUPLES: Do you feel like you have a bump in your relationship and need to hit the reset button? Are you wondering what’s next, but don’t know where to begin? Building on a strength-based approach, we can navigate through stressful times and learn how to make good choices for yourself, create more balance, harmony, and fulfillment in your relationships.
LIFE & EXEC Coaching- Welcome, Willkommen, Bienvenue! Executives, Expats, Gov., Mil.,Diplomatic Community ! We work together to set & accomplish your goals! Clients successfully decreased stress & anxiety, achieve work-life balance, enhance communication & interpersonal skills, improve time management & productivity, sharpen decision-making skills, improve relationships with colleagues, friends, and family, gain clarity & focus on personal & professional goals, improve leadership and management skills, unleash creativity & innovation.
(858) 295-1058 View (858) 295-1058
Photo of Sophia Reinders, Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Sophia Reinders
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT, REAT
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94118
Through compassion, warmth, gentle humor and a relational style I create an atmosphere that is conducive to a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship.
Are you longing for healing, transformation or a more trusting sense of self and more fulfilling life? My approach to counseling and psychotherapy with individuals and couples is holistic, creative and embodied, within a framework of Jungian psychology and creative arts therapy. With 20 plus years of clinical experience, I welcome individuals and couples struggling with life transitions, relationships, family matters, career or low self-worth, or who suffer from anxiety, depression, loss and grieving, questions of meaning or their intimate sense of spirituality. Having grown up in France and Germany, I also enjoy working with those whose mother tongue is German or French.
Through compassion, warmth, gentle humor and a relational style I create an atmosphere that is conducive to a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship.
Are you longing for healing, transformation or a more trusting sense of self and more fulfilling life? My approach to counseling and psychotherapy with individuals and couples is holistic, creative and embodied, within a framework of Jungian psychology and creative arts therapy. With 20 plus years of clinical experience, I welcome individuals and couples struggling with life transitions, relationships, family matters, career or low self-worth, or who suffer from anxiety, depression, loss and grieving, questions of meaning or their intimate sense of spirituality. Having grown up in France and Germany, I also enjoy working with those whose mother tongue is German or French.
(415) 968-2450 View (415) 968-2450
Photo of Katie Cofer, Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Katie Cofer
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94131
My ideal client is someone who wants solutions to current life issues, but also to explore and let go of limiting beliefs and patterns. Many of them deal with depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship issues, and blocked creativity. Uncovering and releasing unresolved emotions opens up space for lasting change. My Mind/Body approach integrates relational talk therapy, somatics, and expressive arts. Through these processes of self-discovery and healing, clients may feel more empowered and connected with their innate vitality and creativity.
My ideal client is someone who wants solutions to current life issues, but also to explore and let go of limiting beliefs and patterns. Many of them deal with depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship issues, and blocked creativity. Uncovering and releasing unresolved emotions opens up space for lasting change. My Mind/Body approach integrates relational talk therapy, somatics, and expressive arts. Through these processes of self-discovery and healing, clients may feel more empowered and connected with their innate vitality and creativity.
(415) 742-1951 View (415) 742-1951
Photo of Antje Hofmeister MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Antje Hofmeister MFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94115
My approach is psychodynamic/psychoanalytic, meaning that you and I use the therapeutic relationship as a laboratory within which to facilitate the meaningful changes that will reconnect you with yourself, with life, and with the people around you.
Life is change and, mostly, you've been rolling with the punches. But complicated life transitions can leave anyone at a loss. You might feel helpless, hopeless and alone in trying to cope with relationship issues and troublesome or debilitating symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and obsessions. With nearly two decades of experience, I help adults and families like you navigate the turmoil of challenging life passages including death of a loved one, chronic or terminal illness, relationship issues, separation or divorce, or adjustments to a different job, culture, gender, or sexual orientation.
My approach is psychodynamic/psychoanalytic, meaning that you and I use the therapeutic relationship as a laboratory within which to facilitate the meaningful changes that will reconnect you with yourself, with life, and with the people around you.
Life is change and, mostly, you've been rolling with the punches. But complicated life transitions can leave anyone at a loss. You might feel helpless, hopeless and alone in trying to cope with relationship issues and troublesome or debilitating symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and obsessions. With nearly two decades of experience, I help adults and families like you navigate the turmoil of challenging life passages including death of a loved one, chronic or terminal illness, relationship issues, separation or divorce, or adjustments to a different job, culture, gender, or sexual orientation.
(650) 918-5006 View (650) 918-5006
Photo of Constantine Kipnis, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Constantine Kipnis
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, NJ NY, CA FL, MA PA
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94105  (Online Only)
Adolescent and adults seeking individual therapy. Couples seeking therapy. I am bilingual and also offer the options of conducting sessions in Russian to native Russian speakers.
Adolescent and adults seeking individual therapy. Couples seeking therapy. I am bilingual and also offer the options of conducting sessions in Russian to native Russian speakers.
(929) 457-1119 View (929) 457-1119
Photo of Bay Area Gestalt Institute, Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Bay Area Gestalt Institute
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
16 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94117
We are Bay Area Gestalt Institute (BAGI), a non-profit collective of highly trained marriage and family therapists and associates, providing affordable psychotherapy throughout the Bay Area. We offer counseling to individuals, couples, families, and children. Our work is active, creative and holistic. Our therapists work with a variety of issues including: * Relationship Issues * Anxiety * Depression * LGBTQI Concerns * Trauma * Substance Use / Abuse * Eating Disorders * Spiritual * Personal Growth * Integration of Non-Ordinary States
We are Bay Area Gestalt Institute (BAGI), a non-profit collective of highly trained marriage and family therapists and associates, providing affordable psychotherapy throughout the Bay Area. We offer counseling to individuals, couples, families, and children. Our work is active, creative and holistic. Our therapists work with a variety of issues including: * Relationship Issues * Anxiety * Depression * LGBTQI Concerns * Trauma * Substance Use / Abuse * Eating Disorders * Spiritual * Personal Growth * Integration of Non-Ordinary States
(415) 969-3361 View (415) 969-3361
Photo of Ina von Ber, Psychologist in Santa Rosa, CA
Ina von Ber
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94104
COUPLES: Do you feel like you have a bump in your relationship and need to hit the reset button? Are you wondering what’s next, but don’t know where to begin? Building on a strength-based approach, we can navigate through stressful times and learn how to make good choices for yourself, create more balance, harmony, and fulfillment in your relationships.
LIFE & EXEC Coaching- Expats, Gov., Mil., Diplomatic Community, Welcome, Willkommen, Bienvenue! We work together to set & accomplish your goals! Clients successfully decreased stress & anxiety, achieve work-life balance, enhance communication & interpersonal skills, improve time management & productivity, sharpen decision-making skills, improve relationships with colleagues, friends, and family, gain clarity & focus on personal & professional goals, improve leadership and management skills, unleash creativity & innovation.
COUPLES: Do you feel like you have a bump in your relationship and need to hit the reset button? Are you wondering what’s next, but don’t know where to begin? Building on a strength-based approach, we can navigate through stressful times and learn how to make good choices for yourself, create more balance, harmony, and fulfillment in your relationships.
LIFE & EXEC Coaching- Expats, Gov., Mil., Diplomatic Community, Welcome, Willkommen, Bienvenue! We work together to set & accomplish your goals! Clients successfully decreased stress & anxiety, achieve work-life balance, enhance communication & interpersonal skills, improve time management & productivity, sharpen decision-making skills, improve relationships with colleagues, friends, and family, gain clarity & focus on personal & professional goals, improve leadership and management skills, unleash creativity & innovation.
(202) 873-1784 View (202) 873-1784
Photo of Arthur Brendze, Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
Arthur Brendze
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
San Francisco, CA 94110  (Online Only)
I am a licensed psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in Psychotherapy, Relationship/Marriage Counseling and Organizational Development and Transformation. Before becoming a licensed psychotherapist, I was a wooden boatbuilder, USCG Licensed Captain, businessman and educator. I still am. Over the years, a diverse spectrum of individuals, couples and groups have arrived in my practice with an equally diverse spectrum of challenges …some common …some not so common. We have worked on them together, usually with satisfying success for all concerned.
I am a licensed psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in Psychotherapy, Relationship/Marriage Counseling and Organizational Development and Transformation. Before becoming a licensed psychotherapist, I was a wooden boatbuilder, USCG Licensed Captain, businessman and educator. I still am. Over the years, a diverse spectrum of individuals, couples and groups have arrived in my practice with an equally diverse spectrum of challenges …some common …some not so common. We have worked on them together, usually with satisfying success for all concerned.
(904) 474-3973 View (904) 474-3973
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.