Build a relationship where both partners feel heard, valued, and understood.
Even in challenging seasons, connection can flourish with the right tools.
What Couples Therapy Offers
Couples therapy creates a structured space where both partners gain the tools to communicate effectively. Destructive conflict patterns transform into productive conversations. You learn to navigate differences with respect rather than resentment. Emotional intimacy deepens as you develop skills to share vulnerable feelings safely. Old wounds heal through guided conversations that promote understanding and closure. You rediscover appreciation for your partner’s positive qualities. The relationship strengthens as you build shared goals and meaning.
For couples transitioning to parenthood, therapy provides crucial support during one of life’s most significant adjustments, helping you maintain connection while embracing new identities as parents.
Common Relationship Challenges
Many couples seek therapy when communication has deteriorated into frequent arguments or uncomfortable silence. Others come when emotional distance has created walls between partners who once felt deeply connected. Some struggle with specific life transitions – particularly the profound shift that occurs with parenthood.
Couples from different cultural backgrounds often face unique challenges navigating family expectations, traditions, and values. Bilingual couples appreciate therapy that honors both languages and cultural perspectives.
Whether you’re facing acute conflict, navigating a specific challenge, or simply wanting to strengthen an already good relationship, couples therapy provides valuable tools and insights for creating a more fulfilling partnership.
My Approach to Couples Therapy
I bring specialized training in the Gottman Method to help couples build stronger, more satisfying relationships. This evidence-based approach focuses on strengthening friendship, managing conflict productively, and creating shared meaning.
The Gottman Method Framework
Working with the Gottman Method, we focus on key relationship components:
Building Love Maps: Developing detailed understanding of your partner’s inner world, including their hopes, dreams, values, and stressors.
Sharing Fondness and Admiration: Cultivating appreciation and respect by recognizing positive qualities and expressing gratitude regularly.
Turning Toward Instead of Away: Learning to recognize and respond to your partner’s bids for connection in everyday moments.
Managing Conflict: Developing skills to discuss problems respectfully, understand underlying needs, and find compromise without damaging the relationship.
Creating Shared Meaning: Building a sense of purpose together through shared values, rituals, goals, and traditions.
Special Focus: Transition to Parenthood
I offer specialized support for couples navigating the transition to parenthood – from pregnancy through the early years. This major life change often creates significant relationship strain as couples adjust to new roles, responsibilities, and identities.
We work together to:
- Prepare for the emotional and relationship changes parenthood brings
- Maintain connection amid sleep deprivation and competing demands
- Navigate differences in parenting approaches
- Process birth experiences and adjustment challenges
- Balance the needs of your relationship with the needs of your child
- Address perinatal mental health concerns that impact the partnership
My integrative approach examines how each partner’s past experiences and family patterns influence current relationship dynamics. By understanding “how we got here,” couples gain insight into recurring conflicts and create new paths forward.
What to Expect in Couples Therapy
Assessment Phase
We begin with a thorough assessment process that includes:
- An initial joint session to understand your relationship history and goals
- Individual sessions with each partner to gather personal perspectives
- Completion of research-based relationship assessments
- A feedback session where I share observations and we develop a treatment plan together
This comprehensive assessment creates a roadmap for our work together, identifying specific areas for growth and intervention.
Regular Sessions
In our ongoing work together, we’ll focus on developing specific communication skills, practicing new ways of interacting, and addressing both immediate concerns and deeper relationship patterns.
Personalized Treatment Timeline
Every couple’s journey is unique. Some benefit from focused work on specific issues, while others value deeper exploration over time. The therapy process adapts to your specific situation, challenges, and goals.
We’ll regularly review your progress and collaborate on adjusting our approach to best serve your relationship’s evolving needs.
Between Sessions
Real growth happens between our meetings as you apply new skills and insights to daily interactions. I often recommend specific practices to reinforce our work together, including structured conversations, reading materials, or relationship-building activities.
Online Couples Therapy in Minnesota & California
Virtual sessions provide accessible, consistent therapy for couples across Minnesota and California. My telehealth platform offers a secure environment where both partners can engage fully from the comfort of home.
My bilingual capabilities (English/Spanish) allow couples to communicate in whichever language feels most natural, including sessions where partners may prefer different languages. This is particularly valuable for intercultural couples navigating multiple cultural perspectives.
Insurance and Fees
Couples therapy sessions are $225. While some insurance plans cover couples therapy, many do not. Please contact me directly to verify your specific coverage options in either Minnesota or California.
Investing in your relationship creates ripple effects throughout all aspects of life – improving family dynamics, workplace satisfaction, and personal wellbeing. When you’re ready to begin strengthening your partnership, I’m here to support your journey together.
