Please reach us at info@coupleschattherapy.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
We focus on emotional safety and attachment, not blame. Whether it's rebuilding trust or breaking old cycles, we help partners slow down and reconnect through evidence-based therapy. We do not do nod-and-smile therapy; our approach is direct, compassionate, and focused on creating emotional safety without sugarcoating.
Yes, we provide secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual therapy for clients across California and in-person sessions in San Diego.
You will start to notice subtle but real shifts like more calm in difficult conversations, quicker repair after conflict, and a sense of being on the same team. Growth is not linear, but progress will look like a new awareness, accountability, and staying connected even when it's hard. The goal is not perfection.
For Couples Therapy:
Some couples notice improvements in communication and emotional connection within a few sessions. Deeper issues like trust or long-term conflict may take more time and consistency to heal.
For Individual Therapy (Couples Therapy for One):
Clients often experience increased clarity, self-awareness, and emotional relief early on. Creating lasting change in relational patterns may take a bit longer, depending on your goals and circumstances.
At Couples Chat Therapy, we tailor the process to your unique needs and pace, using proven, effective approaches.
Research shows that consistent, weekly therapy sessions are more effective and more cost-efficient than sporadic visits. That’s why we meet with clients on a weekly basis, establishing a recurring appointment time that supports momentum and progress.
You’ll get the most out of therapy by actively engaging in the process, both inside and outside of sessions. The ultimate goal is to help you take what you’re learning in therapy and apply it to real-life situations, so you can experience lasting growth, insight, and emotional well-being.
At Couples Chat Therapy, we are an out-of-network provider (OON) and do not accept insurance directly. However, we can provide you with a superbill which is a detailed receipt of services rendered, which you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.
If you would like to take the approach of a superbill, you can find out if your insurance offers OON benefits by calling them directly.
Yes, absolutely. Some clients choose to use Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) to pay for therapy services.
At Couples Chat Therapy, we believe in transparent, fair pricing for high-quality, personalized care. Our fees range from $180 to $300. Payments are made at the time of your session.
Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged for the full session. Payment is due at the beginning of the therapy session.
To respect everyone’s time and ensure availability for all clients, Couples Chat Therapy requires at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
If you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice or do not attend your scheduled session, you will be responsible for the full session fee.
We appreciate your understanding and commitment to the therapeutic process.
At Couples Chat Therapy, we typically recommend weekly sessions, especially at the beginning of therapy. Research shows that meeting weekly helps build momentum, strengthen the therapeutic relationship, and create lasting change more efficiently.
While bi-weekly sessions may be considered in later stages of therapy or for maintenance, they are not available during the early phases of treatment.
*If you are experienced with therapy and feel bi-weekly could work for your situation, please email me for a free consultation to discuss.
Yes. Couples Chat Therapy is an affirming, inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ couples, polyamorous and CNM relationships, kink-informed partnerships, and multicultural or non-traditional relationship structures. We understand the unique challenges these partnerships face and offer therapy grounded in respect, inclusivity, and proven methods that honor who you are and how you love.
You can still make meaningful progress on your own. In Couples Therapy for One, one motivated partner can shift the dynamic. Couples Therapy for One is a specialized, individual-focused approach for people who want to improve their relationship, even if their partner isn’t ready or willing to attend therapy. Couples Therapy for One focuses on the changes you can make to identify your patterns, communicate differently, set boundaries and express your needs clearly, and build deeper connections.
While it takes two to maintain a relationship, it only takes one person to begin the process of change.
Yes, absolutely. You don’t have to be in a relationship to benefit from therapy at Couples Chat Therapy. We support individuals who want to:
Some of the most powerful relationship work happens when you’re not currently in a partnership because you can reflect with greater objectivity and focus on your personal growth without distraction.
Whether you’re exploring past dynamics, preparing for future love, or simply working on showing up more intentionally in all your connections, we’re here to help.
Yes, while many partners find couples therapy to be a powerful space for learning new communication skills and strengthening their relationship, it's important to be aware of potential challenges that may arise during the process.
Possible risks of couples therapy include:
Note: We generally recommend that each partner have their own individual therapist, whenever possible, to support personal growth alongside the work done in couple's sessions.
While couples therapy can be transformative, there are times when it may not be the most effective or safe option at least initially.
If there is ongoing physical aggression in your relationship, couples counseling is usually not the best choice until internal changes take place in a person that enable the aggressive acts to be controlled. However, sometimes going through the initial assessment sessions will help motivate an aggressive partner to get individual treatment. Couples therapy may also be of limited or no value if one or the other partner is actively engaged in an ongoing secret affair or is making covert significant financial decisions without the other partner’s knowledge.
In these situations, we may recommend individual therapy, safety planning, or a combination of services as the first step. At Couples Chat Therapy, we’re committed to helping you get the right support, even if that means starting outside of the couple dynamic.
Yes, confidentiality is one of the most essential components of effective therapy. At Couples Chat Therapy, we understand that building trust requires a safe, private space to explore sensitive topics that may not be shared anywhere else.
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and a psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but in the therapist’s office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in the session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Attorney, or another provider). In these cases, we will only share information if you’ve signed a written Release of Information form.
There are a few legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality, such as:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.
*Judge's court order
These exceptions will be reviewed during your intake process, so you know exactly what to expect. At Couples Chat Therapy, your privacy, safety, and trust are our top priorities.
Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma therapy that aims to reduce distress and assist in managing overwhelming emotions associated with traumatic memories. EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation (BLS) via eye-movements, tapping or audio to reprocess and rewire memory networks to bring about an adaptive resolution. In doing so, there is a reduction of negative thoughts, physiological symptoms and emotional distress.
What to expect from EMDR?
EMDR therapy helps clients process painful experiences that block connection and emotional safety. At Couples Chat Therapy, I use EMDR to help individuals and couples heal from trauma that interferes with closeness and trust.”
EMDR and Couples
When one or both partners in a relationship have trauma, it can adversely affect the relationship. EMDR can be used in couple therapy to work with couples to help reduce the effects of trauma as well as foster relationship intimacy. EMDR works best with couples when there is already a sense of emotional safety or somewhat secure attachment between the partners. For this reason, we would recommend doing EMDR later in couple therapy. It is also best used with couples who are committed to their relationship and who can be vulnerable in front of each other.
Learn more about EMDR
EMDR Therapy and Couples - EMDR International Association
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