Couples Therapy

Reclaim Your Connection and Find Solid Ground

Relationships rarely break because of a lack of love; they break under the weight of the unspoken. Whether you are navigating a specific crisis, like the strain of infertility or the recovery journey, or simply feeling disconnected from your partner, the path forward can feel impossible to navigate alone.

Whether you are facing a specific crisis or simply feeling a 'drift,' we use Gottman-informed tools to affirm and strengthen relationships of all structures and orientations. We help you interrupt conflict cycles, heal communication breakdowns, and find solid ground again.

At ECA Recovery and Wellness, I offer more than just a referee for conflict. I provide a specialized, evidence-based approach to help you interrupt negative patterns and rebuild safety.

Drawing on the Gottman Method (the gold standard in couples research) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we will move beyond surface-level arguments to address the root cause of your disconnection. My goal is to equip you with practical tools to manage conflict, deepen your friendship, and align your life together with your shared values.

I support couples in five key areas of growth:

1. Communication & Conflict Resolution

Focusing on stopping the cycle of repetitive arguments.

The "Four Horsemen" Antidotes: Identifying and stopping the four specific behaviors that predict divorce (Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, Stonewalling) using Gottman tools.
De-Escalation Strategies: Practical techniques to "take a break" and self-soothe when arguments become overwhelming, preventing emotional flooding.
Navigating "Gridlock": Learning how to discuss perpetual problems (the issues that never seem to go away) without hurting each other, by moving from "winning" to understanding.

2. Rebuilding Trust & Safety

For couples navigating the aftermath of addiction, infidelity, or "micro-betrayals."

Recovery-Informed Relationship Work: Specialized support for couples where one or both partners are in recovery, focusing on shifting out of "codependency" and into healthy interdependence.
Healing from Betrayal: A structured approach to processing the trauma of broken trust (whether financial, emotional, or sexual) and creating a roadmap for transparency.
Restoring the "Sound Relationship House": Re-establishing the foundation of trust and commitment so you feel safe being vulnerable again.

3. Intimacy & Reconnection

Addressing the "Drift"—when partners feel more like roommates than lovers.

Building "Love Maps": Re-learning your partner’s inner world—their current stressors, hopes, and dreams—to deepen emotional intimacy.
Turning Towards: Practicing the art of small, daily connections ("bids for attention") that build up the emotional bank account.
Aligning Values (ACT for Couples): Using ACT principles to clarify your shared values as a couple and ensuring your life together is moving in a direction you both choose.

4. Parenting & Family Transitions

Protecting the partnership during high-stress life phases.

The Fertility-Proof Partnership: Specific tools to keep the relationship alive and supportive while navigating the grueling schedule of IVF or the grief of loss.
Parenting as a Team: Resolving conflicts about parenting styles and maintaining a "united front" to reduce household stress.
Postpartum Adjustment: Navigating the identity shift of new parenthood and finding space for the relationship amidst the chaos of a new baby.

5. Pre-Marital & Pre-Commitment Counseling

Proactive work for couples looking to build a strong foundation.

Values & Vision Alignment: Ensuring you are on the same page regarding finances, family, career, and lifestyle before making a long-term commitment.
Expectation Management: openly discussing "unspoken rules" you both grew up with to prevent future resentment.
Strengthening Friendship: Solidifying the friendship at the core of the relationship, which research shows is the best predictor of long-term satisfaction.