Couples Therapy in Oakland
and Across California

Psychotherapy For Couples

Couples who come into therapy often have issues with managing conflict and communication. Partners may feel like they are not being heard or understood. They may feel a lack of affection and emotional distance or feel that they lost the spark that brought them together. They may have issues with sexual intimacy.

Working with couples, I use attachment theory, Gottman techniques and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to understand the complex interplay of attachment and emotional needs which happen in relationships.

I create a space for clients to better understand themselves and each other. Using EFT, I get to the root of couples’ negative patterns which are keeping them stuck. I work with couples to understand their triggers and reactions in conflicts, helping them change how they handle disagreements. Using exercises influenced by Gottman’s theories, I show couples how to de-escalate conflict and create intimacy and emotional connection.

I encourage couples to see themselves as a team when meeting challenges. The ultimate goal is for the couple to not only feel like they can meet life’s demands together, but to feel joy in each other and contentment in their relationship.