Couples Therapy in Salt Lake City

Feeling distant from your partner, stuck in cycles of conflict, or unsure about your future together? Whether you're newly engaged, navigating long-term challenges, or simply hoping to reconnect, couples counseling can help you move toward a more fulfilling relationship. My practice in the Salt Lake Valley offers specialized support grounded in the Gottman Method—an evidence-based approach to rebuilding trust, improving communication, and strengthening emotional bonds.

Signs It Might Be Time for Couples Counseling

Couples often wait too long to get support. If you recognize any of the following signs, now might be the right time to start:

• Recurring arguments that don’t get resolved

• Emotional distance or feeling like roommates

• Struggles with intimacy or affection

• Difficulty discussing important topics without conflict

• Lingering resentment or unresolved hurt

• Feeling stuck when trying to make decisions as a couple

Couples counseling in SLC can help you address these patterns with care and clarity.

How Gottman Method Couples Therapy Works

Gottman Method Couples Therapy is rooted in over 40 years of research into what makes relationships thrive—or fall apart. This structured and supportive process offers proven tools to help you:

• Communicate more effectively

• Rebuild trust after betrayals

• Deepen friendship and emotional intimacy

• Create shared meaning through aligned goals and values

• Navigate conflict constructively rather than destructively

One of the most well-known findings from Gottman's research is the Four Horsemen — four communication patterns that reliably predict relationship breakdown: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. Of the four, contempt is the single biggest predictor of divorce. Helping couples recognize these patterns and replace them with healthier alternatives is central to the work I do.

What to Expect from Couples Counseling

Your first session is about understanding where things stand and how you got here. I’ll get a thorough history of your relationship, including the ups and downs, so I understand the patterns behind what's bringing you in. We'll also talk about what each of you wants out of therapy.

Most couples leave this first session with a clearer picture of what's happening, even when they're starting during a difficult stretch. It's the beginning of the process, not the whole thing. Real change takes time and consistent effort from both of you.

Step 1: Relationship Assessment

We begin with a thorough assessment that gives us a clear picture of your relationship dynamics:

• Joint intake session to identify the specific patterns and challenges affecting your relationship right now

• Individual interviews to explore each partner’s perspective

• The Gottman Relationship Checkup—a confidential, research-backed online tool that provides deep insight into your relationship’s strengths and areas for growth

Step 2: Feedback & Planning

Once we’ve completed the assessment, we come back together to review the results and co-create a tailored treatment plan. We’ll identify key goals and focus areas that are meaningful for both partners.

Step 3: Weekly or Biweekly Sessions

In ongoing sessions tailored to your needs, we’ll work together using strategies from the Gottman Method and complementary techniques like DBT and CBT for Couples. Each session is a focused opportunity to build skills, resolve conflict more constructively, and deepen emotional connection.

Couples Counseling in Salt Lake City for Every Relationship

Whether you're navigating the complexities of a long-term relationship or recovering from a period of disconnection, I offer an inclusive and affirming space. I provide:

• Support for current and former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as well as any other faith background

• Couples navigating faith differences

• LGBTQ-affirming, sex-positive counseling

• A compassionate approach that respects your unique history and values