Marriage and couples
Counseling for couples who want to stop repeating the same fight and start hearing each other again.
Most couples do not come to counseling because they stopped loving each other. They come because the same argument keeps circling back, because one of them has gone quiet, or because trust took a hit and neither knows how to rebuild it. Often one partner is more ready than the other.
Brett is a licensed marriage and family therapist as well as a clinical counselor, and he has worked with couples for more than two decades. Sessions are structured, fair to both people, and focused on changing how you communicate, not on deciding who is right.
What it can look like
- The same argument on repeat, with no resolution
- Conversations that turn into criticism, defensiveness, or silence
- Feeling more like roommates than partners
- A breach of trust that has not healed
- Big decisions ahead, such as marriage, children, a move, or retirement, that you cannot agree on
- Wanting to strengthen a good relationship before it strains
How counseling helps
Couples counseling begins with an assessment of the relationship itself: how you handle conflict, how you repair after it, and what each of you needs that you are not getting. Both partners get room to speak and both get heard.
The work draws on attachment theory and the Gottman Method. You learn what each of you reaches for when you feel disconnected, how to notice the pattern as it starts, how to say what you mean without attacking, and how to listen without preparing a rebuttal. Trust is rebuilt through consistent, specific actions rather than promises.
Sessions are for both of you. If individual issues surface that need their own attention, Brett will say so and help you decide how to handle them.
Three steps, and the first one is free
- 01
Free 10-minute call
Either partner can make the first call. Brett explains how couples sessions work and answers practical questions.
- 02
Couple assessment
A longer first session with both of you to understand the relationship, the current strain, and what each of you wants to change.
- 03
Regular couple sessions
Usually weekly at first. You practice new ways of talking in the room, then take them home. Brett keeps the sessions balanced and on track.
How long it takes
Couples often see the tone shift within a few sessions once the pattern is named. Rebuilding trust or working through a major decision takes longer. Most couples finish within a few months and return for a tune-up if they need one.
Counseling is a good fit if
- You both want the relationship to work, even if one of you is more skeptical about counseling
- You are stuck in a loop you cannot break on your own
- You are preparing for marriage and want to start strong
- You want a neutral third person who will be fair to both of you
Before the first call
Anything not answered here is a good question for the free call. All FAQs →
My partner is not sure about counseling. Can I come alone first?
Yes. An individual session can help you clarify what you need and how to invite your partner in. Couples work itself requires both of you.
Do you take sides?
No. Brett is the relationship's counselor, not either partner's. Both of you will be challenged, and both will be heard.
Can we do couples sessions by video?
Yes. Both partners join the same secure Carepatron session from the same room or from separate locations. In-person sessions are available at the Clifton Avenue office.
What does couples counseling cost?
A couple assessment is $275 and couple sessions are $225. Some insurance plans cover couples work under certain conditions; ask on the free call and Brett will check your plan.
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