Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling in Seattle
I offer couples therapy and marriage counseling at my Pioneer Square office in Seattle and by telehealth anywhere in Washington State. My work draws on PACT (Level 2 trained) and psychodynamic therapy, with both partners present. Sessions are $205 for 50 minutes or $310 for 80 minutes, and the first 30-minute consultation is free.
Feeling disconnected from your partner or stuck in the same arguments with no way out? You're not alone. Many couples reach a point where communication breaks down and the relationship starts to feel distant or uncertain.
Whether you're looking for couples therapy or marriage counseling in Seattle, this work can help you understand what's happening in your relationship and find your way back to each other.
Schedule Your Free Consultation or call (206) 488-5543
How Couples Therapy in Seattle Works
I use a psychodynamic and PACT-informed (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy) framework to help couples understand and shift the patterns that keep them stuck. This means we look closely at what's happening between you, not just the arguments on the surface, but the underlying emotions, histories, and needs that drive them.
Over time, you'll develop new ways of communicating, listening, and responding to one another, building a foundation for a more stable and connected relationship.
Your Relationship Is the Client
In couples therapy, I am not working for either one of you alone. The relationship itself is my client. That means I will not take sides or decide who is right. Instead, I help both of you understand what is happening between you, how each of you contributes to the patterns, and what each of you needs in order to feel safe and connected.
Both partners are present for our sessions. This matters, because so much of what happens in a relationship happens in the moment: in a tone of voice, a pause, a turning away. When those moments unfold in the room, we can slow them down and work with them directly, rather than only talking about what happened last week.
Because PACT pays close attention to the nervous system, I listen for the small shifts in your voices, your breathing, and the emotional tone between you that signal when one of you feels threatened or shuts down. Learning to notice those shifts in each other is one of the most powerful ways to build lasting security.
Is Couples Therapy Right for Us?
Couples come to me for many reasons, including:
- Recurring arguments that never seem to get resolved
- Feeling more like roommates than partners
- Rebuilding trust after an affair or other betrayal
- Major life transitions, such as a new baby, a move, a career change, or retirement
- Differences in desire, intimacy, or emotional needs
- Uncertainty about whether to stay together
- The effects of past trauma showing up in your relationship today
Reconnection Can Feel Difficult, But It’s Possible
It’s easy to slowly grow apart in a relationship, but finding your way back can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and at times, hopeless. You may have already tried reading relationship advice, working through couples’ exercises, or listening to input from friends and family. And yet, the disconnection remains.
What once felt natural and close may now feel tense, distant, or fragile. Constant conflict, emotional withdrawal, or unresolved hurt can leave your relationship feeling uncertain and painful.
Couples Therapy for Communication Issues and Conflict
Many couples find themselves stuck in cycles of miscommunication, reactivity, or silence. You may feel unheard, misunderstood, or alone even when you’re together.
Couples therapy provides a space to slow these patterns down and begin understanding what’s happening beneath the surface. Together, we’ll explore how communication has broken down and what’s getting in the way of feeling connected.
Rebuilding Trust and Repairing Disconnection
In some relationships, trust has been damaged, whether through betrayal, ongoing conflict, or emotional distance. This can make it difficult to feel safe, open, or vulnerable with one another.
Therapy helps create a path toward rebuilding trust, repairing emotional wounds, and restoring a sense of stability in your relationship.
Ready to take the first step?
Reaching out is often the hardest part. A free 30-minute consultation gives you a chance to ask questions, share what's going on, and see if working together feels like a good fit, with no pressure or obligation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation or call (206) 488-5543
Building Stronger Communication and Emotional Connection
As therapy progresses, you’ll learn how to express yourself more clearly, hear each other more fully, and respond with greater understanding. This creates space for honesty, vulnerability, and deeper emotional connection, the foundation for a stronger relationship.
What to Expect from a Couples Therapist
Every couple’s story is different, but therapy provides a supportive and structured space to work through challenges together.
In sessions, you can expect:
- A balanced space where both partners feel heard and respected
- Guidance in identifying patterns and unmet needs
- Support in navigating conflict, trust issues, and disconnection
- Practical ways to improve communication and connection
A Safe, Supportive Space for Both Partners
My role as your couples therapist is to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where both partners feel understood. I will help you clarify your goals, work through challenges, and move toward a more connected and stable relationship.
Start Rebuilding Your Relationship
You don’t have to keep going through this alone. Couples therapy can help you reconnect, rebuild trust, and create a stronger path forward together.
Schedule a consultation to take the next step toward a healthier, more connected relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need to be in crisis to start couples therapy?
Not at all. Many couples come to therapy when things feel stuck or distant, not just when they're at a breaking point. In fact, starting earlier often makes the process smoother and more effective.
What if one of us is hesitant about therapy?
It's very common for one partner to feel uncertain. In our first session, I make space for both partners to share their perspective, including any reservations. There's no pressure to commit to anything right away.
How long does couples therapy usually take?
It varies depending on your goals and the complexity of the challenges you're facing. Some couples see meaningful progress in a few months; others find it valuable to continue longer. We'll regularly check in on how things are going.
Do you offer online couples therapy?
Yes. I offer telehealth sessions for couples based in Washington State, in addition to in-person sessions at my Seattle office.
What is PACT couples therapy?
PACT stands for Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy. It's a research-informed method that focuses on how your nervous systems interact as a couple, helping you understand why certain moments feel so activating, and how to build more security and attunement together.
Do we both need to attend every session?
Yes. In my couples work, the relationship is the client, so both partners attend every session. I do not hold separate individual sessions with either partner, which keeps the work transparent and fair to both of you.
Will you take sides?
No. My job is to support the relationship, not to decide who is right. Both of you will be heard, and both of you will be gently challenged at times.
Can couples therapy help after an affair?
Yes. Infidelity and other betrayals are deeply painful, but many couples are able to rebuild trust with support. Therapy offers a structured space to understand what happened, tend to the hurt, and decide together what comes next.
What if we are not sure we want to stay together?
That is an honest and common place to start. Therapy can help you gain clarity, whether that means recommitting to the relationship or separating with more understanding and less harm.
How much does couples therapy cost?
Couples sessions are $205 for 50 minutes or $310 for 80 minutes. Many couples find longer sessions especially helpful. I am not contracted with insurance plans, but I provide a superbill you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Approach I use: PACT couples therapy.
Related reading: PACT Couples Therapy in Seattle: A Psychobiological Approach to Lasting Connection.
