Photo of Bianka Lieb, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94596, CA
Bianka Lieb
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, LPCC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Clients I typically work with have experienced childhood trauma, and as a result suffer from depression, anxiety, poor relationships, and low self-esteem. Their needs include learning how to name and process the traumas they have experienced, how these traumas are affecting them today, and what to do to feel safe, at peace, and to enjoy healthy relationships. Their goals typically include understanding and learning from their past, and improving relationships and day to day interactions with self and others.
Clients I typically work with have experienced childhood trauma, and as a result suffer from depression, anxiety, poor relationships, and low self-esteem. Their needs include learning how to name and process the traumas they have experienced, how these traumas are affecting them today, and what to do to feel safe, at peace, and to enjoy healthy relationships. Their goals typically include understanding and learning from their past, and improving relationships and day to day interactions with self and others.
(925) 281-4405 View (925) 281-4405
Photo of Paul Juranovich, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94596, CA
Paul Juranovich
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Do you ever feel alone? Do you feel there's more to everything than this? Within every person exists enormous power. At some point in our lives we face a "void." The void is the symbolic space we create for whatever is missing in our lives; what we imagine will make us feel complete. We spend massive amounts of energy attempting to fill this void with negative relationships, substances, money, possessions, etc. Yet somehow we end up feeling empty.
Do you ever feel alone? Do you feel there's more to everything than this? Within every person exists enormous power. At some point in our lives we face a "void." The void is the symbolic space we create for whatever is missing in our lives; what we imagine will make us feel complete. We spend massive amounts of energy attempting to fill this void with negative relationships, substances, money, possessions, etc. Yet somehow we end up feeling empty.
(510) 694-0937 View (510) 694-0937
Marriage Counseling Therapists

How does marriage counseling work?

Marriage counseling works by teaching couples concrete skills to communicate with one another and solve disagreements in healthy ways. A trained mental health professional works with both members of a couple to explore difficulties the couple may be having and helps them develop skills to address these matters. Couples who don’t have any difficulties but want to prepare for marriage may develop skills for the future.

How long does marriage counseling typically last?

Marriage counseling is a short-term form of therapy; the process may last between four and eight sessions. Other forms of relationship guidance from mental health professionals, such as couples therapy, are longer lasting, may focus on the past rather than just the present, and are tailored to the individual couple and their emotions, history, and patterns in the relationship. Couples therapy often lasts for 12 weeks or longer.

Is marriage counseling effective?

Marriage counseling helps many couples develop relationship skills that may not have been acquired or tested in a relationship; partners may be better able to communicate and address conflict following counseling. However, there are many different forms of marriage counseling, and this form of counseling does not have as strong an evidence base as other modalities such as couples therapy.

Is marriage counseling effective if only one partner wants to go?

Yes, marriage counseling can still be effective if one partner convinces the other to engage in the process. Of course, whether counseling is effective depends on the couple’s commitment to work on their relationship; however, the short-term, skills-based nature of marriage counseling makes it a relatively easy “ask” of a partner, and the hesitant individual may see its value once counseling begins.