Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Therapy

Are you accepting new clients?

Yes, I am currently accepting new clients for couples counseling.

What makes your approach to couples therapy different?

Unlike traditional week-to-week therapy that often leads to surface-level changes, I provide a structured approach that creates lasting transformation. As a Certified Gottman Therapist, I help couples identify destructive patterns, develop practical communication skills, and rebuild emotional connection. My approach is direct and solutions-focused – you’ll receive straightforward guidance and concrete tools you can immediately apply in your relationship.

What types of relationship challenges do you help with?

I specialize in helping couples overcome specific relationship challenges including:

• Communication breakdowns that escalate into damaging conflicts
• Rebuilding trust after infidelity or betrayal
• Emotional disconnection that develops over years
• Imbalanced relationship dynamics where one partner over-functions
• The impact of individual patterns on relationship health

What are your qualifications?

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and one of the few Certified Gottman Therapists in Oregon, I bring specialized training in evidence-based approaches to relationship transformation. The Gottman Method is built on over 50 years of research with thousands of couples and provides practical tools for creating lasting change.

How do we get started?

We begin with a Discovery Session where we’ll:

• Understand your specific relationship challenges
• Determine if my approach is the right fit for your needs
• Outline what our work together would involve
• Answer any questions you have about the process

This session helps ensure we’re all aligned before committing to the therapeutic process.

Do both partners need to be committed to therapy?

Yes. My approach works best when both partners are willing to examine their contributions to relationship patterns and commit to the process of change. The couples who achieve the most successful outcomes are those where both individuals are invested in improving their relationship.

How long does couples therapy take?

Rather than open-ended weekly sessions, I provide a structured approach that typically spans 8-12 sessions when both partners are actively engaged in the process. We’ll focus on:

• Identifying destructive interaction patterns
• Developing practical communication skills
• Creating new relationship habits that stick
• Building a stronger emotional foundation

Most couples see meaningful improvement within this timeframe, though complex situations may require additional sessions.

Do you take insurance?

I accept PacificSource Health Plans and PacificSource OHP (Oregon Health Plan). For all other insurance plans, I can provide a detailed statement for out-of-network reimbursement. Many couples find that my structured approach actually costs less in the long run than years of starting and stopping traditional therapy without lasting results.

Do you offer virtual sessions?

Yes, approximately 80% of my work is conducted virtually. I offer both in-person sessions at my Eugene office and secure video sessions, providing the same structured approach and evidence-based methods in both formats.