Couples Therapy in Austin, TX

Something altered between you. Maybe it happened slowly—dialogues changed, silences dragged out, and at some point you started feeling more like roommates than partners. Or possibly there was a rupture: a betrayal, a fight that went too far, words that can't be taken back.

Whatever brought you here, you're looking for a way forward. That takes courage.

When couples seek help

Most couples wait too long. Research from The Gottman Institute suggests the average couple waits six years after problems begin before seeking therapy. By then, patterns have calcified. Resentment has built walls. The good news? Even couples in significant strain can find their path back to one another—or gain clarity about what they truly need.

You might recognize yourself in some of these situations:

• The same arguments keep recurring, never really resolved.

• One or both of you has pulled away emotionally or physically.

• Trust has been damaged, and you're unsure how to rebuild it.

• Major life changes—a new baby, job loss, relocation—have strained your bond.

• You're considering separation, but want to be sure before deciding.

• Things aren't terrible, but they're not what you want them to be

There's no threshold you need to meet before making contact. Some couples come into crisis. Others come because they want to deepen what they already have. Both are valid reasons.

What happens in couples therapy

The first session is mostly about listening to both of you. I want to understand your story: how you met, what drew you together, where things started to shift. I'll ask about the patterns you've noticed and what you each hope might change.

From there, we work together to identify what's actually happening below the surface. Often, the content of arguments—dishes, schedules, in-laws—isn't really the issue. The real issue is usually about feeling unheard, unseen, or unsafe. When we get to those deeper layers, real change becomes possible.

Therapy sessions often happen weekly, at least initially. You'll both be in the room together for most of our work, though I may occasionally meet with each partner individually to gather background or tackle individual problems.

What to expect

This isn't about picking sides or declaring a winner. My role is to help you both feel heard while softly challenging the patterns that keep you stuck. Sometimes that means sitting with discomfort. Growth usually requires it.

I draw on several evidence-based approaches, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and elements of the Gottman Method, personalizing my approach to what your relationship actually needs rather than following a rigid script.

Some couples need help with communication basics—learning to hear without interrupting or defending, to express needs without attacking. Others need to process old wounds before they can move forward. Many need both.

What couples therapy isn't

It's not a referee. I won't tell you who's "right." Most of the time, both partners have legitimate needs that aren't being met.

It's not a quick fix. Real progress takes time. Expect to invest several months, sometimes longer, depending on what you're working through.

It's not always about staying together. Sometimes clarity means realizing the relationship has run its course. If that's where things land, therapy can help you separate with less damage—especially important if children are involved.

A note for the reluctant partner

If you're here because your partner asked you to come, that's okay. It's common for one person to be more eager than the other. All I ask is that you show up with some openness to participate. You don't have to believe therapy will work. You just have to be willing to try.

Often, the reluctant partner ends up finding the process more useful than expected. There's something powerful about having a structured space to actually be heard.

Couples therapy for Austin relationships

Austin puts specific stress on relationships. The tech industry's long hours and persistent digital link. The city's rapid growth and transplant culture can leave couples without nearby family support. The financial stress of rising housing costs.

I work with couples across Austin and Central Texas, including those in Westlake, Bee Cave, Lakeway, and surrounding communities. Either in-person or telehealth sessions are available.