Every relationship is different, but some of the most common things that bring couples to therapy include:

• Frequent conflict or communication that keeps breaking down

• Feeling distant or disconnected from each other

• Trust injuries or betrayals

• The transition to parenthood

• Differences around parenting, finances, or intimacy

• Life transitions, health changes, or outside stress

• Wanting to strengthen a relationship that's already good

Most couples arrive knowing something isn't working but not quite knowing why. A lot of our early work is about understanding the pattern underneath the conflict — what's driving it, what keeps it going, and what each partner actually needs that isn't getting through.

From there, sessions focus on building new ways of responding to each other. That means developing real emotional safety, learning to communicate what's actually happening underneath the surface, and practicing different ways of being together when things get hard.

This work draws from two research-based approaches: Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) and Cognitive Behavioral Couple Therapy (CBCT).

IBCT helps partners understand the emotional patterns shaping their relationship — with an emphasis on empathy, acceptance, and learning to respond differently when familiar cycles arise.

CBCT helps couples identify and shift the thoughts, assumptions, and communication habits that reinforce distance or conflict.

Together they address both the emotional and practical sides of change.

The first step is a brief complimentary consultation — a chance to share what's bringing you in, ask any questions you have, and get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit. Sessions are offered virtually, across 41 PSYPACT states, D.C. and California.