In relationships, we naturally encounter parts of ourselves that are difficult to face—vulnerabilities, fears, and conflicts that can feel impossible to untangle alone. It is common to feel stuck and alone when we can’t quite reach our partner, or find ourselves trapped in a negative, escalating chain reaction neither intended to start.

At Tempe Trails Counseling, we will slow down to understand what is happening in your relationship, and move toward greater security and connection.

In-person and online psychotherapy services for couples in any stage of their relationship: whether you're dating, engaged, married, or have been together for decades.

How Does Couples Therapy work?

Marriage therapy or couples counseling, is a form of psychotherapy that provides a structured space to support adults work through conflict and build a closer relationship. Typically done by a board licensed therapist (a counselor, social worker, or psychologist), it uses fundamentally different strategies than individual counseling, and is a unique treatment option for adults to work through difficulties. Typically couples ‘counseling lasts between 10-25 sessions and involves understanding both each individual and how they relate to one another.

Common Roadblocks Couples Face & When to Seek Professional Help

Communication problems
Recurring conflict
Emotional distance
Repairing Broken Trust
Difficulty vocalizing one’s needs
Life transitions
Parenting styles

Add:

support 6 times
needs, needs, needs
conflict, conflict conflict x1-4
Challenges 1-3x
Patterns (make title?
Couples counselor
Health 3-18, health health
appointment book
mental health
provider
therapists
lgbtq
sessions
family

Our relationships may encounter recurring patterns where topics escalate quickly, or certain subjects feel off-limits. You may recognize these:

Reach and Retreat: one partner feels needy, while the other one feels overwhelmed by demands.
Silent Disconnection: it may feel like you don’t matter or your partner doesn’t care, or communication leads to more complication or disconnection.
Failure Narrative: feeling like you can never get it right or that your efforts are never enough.
Gricklock: Dealing with communication problems or push and pull cycles that don’t seem to resolve

What to Expect in Couples Therapy sessions

In couples counseling YOU WILL
Find ways to slow down, understand how each of you influence one another. We talk about this in terms of cycles, or the more one does this the more one does that.
understand your cycle.. . common cycles include..

More than just communication skills and conflict resolution

Unpacking the Science Behind Relationship Repair

I utilize two primary, attachment-based methodologies to help couples in the Phoenix Metro area find their way back to one another:

build home, positive expectancy. quote from sue Johnson?

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples

EFT is a structured, highly effective approach designed to address the underlying emotional triggers behind common conflicts. We start by identifying the negative cycle you get caught up in, interrupting it, and learning a new way through. You will learn how to stop working against one another, and start the process of active repair with openness and flexibility.

Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) for Couples

MBT, like EFT, is heavily based on attachment research and helps improve our ability to understand our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and that of our partners, especially in times of stress. Often, when provoked to stress, we find it difficult, at times near impossible, to think clearly and be present with our partner. We get stuck in modes of operating that, although at times protect us, can provoke our partner to give us more of what we don't want. This can leave us in a strange sort of Chinese finger trap situation that becomes impossible to escape without hurting each other. Understanding and working to resolve how this happens opens up new possibilities in how we relate to one another.

How to make the most (or worst!) of couples therapy to support your relationship

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In Person vs Online Couples Therapy Options: choosing the right approach for your needs

H2 Take the Next Step: Begin Your Healing Journey in Tempe

Downloadable Checklist: Preparing for Your First Couples Therapy Session

Why Choose Tempe Trails for Couples Therapy?

As a researcher and practitioner, I am committed to providing depth-oriented, trauma-informed care. Whether adjusting to a major life change or working to heal relational rifts, I offer a collaborative space in-person in Tempe (and via telehealth across Arizona) to help you build a secure foundation for your future.

Ready to break the cycle?

But I’m Scared of Confronting my Partner!

It’s quite common for couples to enter nervous and on edge. Many partners seek help when their relationship is on the verge of collapse. Though it doesn’t have to be, couples counseling is often the last resort to saving a relationship. Perhaps you’re walking on eggshells, afraid of how your partner will react, or you know your loved one is quick to shut down and it gets so frustrating and lonely. This is normal and ok! Thankfully this does not have to last forever.

There is a way out, and we will do this together. Creating space for change means slowing down, and tuning into ourselves and each other. It won’t happen over night, and it’s normal to fall back into old habits along the way—that is part of the normal learning process! Patience is key, and the first 5-10 sessions will be focused on building an environment where we feel comfortable and safe to engage and take risks, or repair when disruption happens. This can be difficult and feel impossible to do alone which is why having a trained professional psychotherapist helps guide you.

It’s normal to fear going right back into that same cycle. Therapies like EFT help break those cycles and help you discover new ways of connecting with your partner and creating environments where it’s safe to work through things not hit the same old roadblocks. While some of the same issues will inevitably show up in session, we will work hard together to make sure it doesn’t get too overwhelming.

// [encourage them to set this aside, sometimes we don’t want to show up like we do at home] Part of the process is showing up how you do at home, which is sometimes messy. We will do our best to contain things in each session.

hope; together
it’s tough, but not too tough
stick along for the ride, before you know it you’ll be soaring!

Thankfully it does not have to always be this way and there is a way out. We will do our best to contain each session and make sure the tension doesn’t rise to an overwhelming degree. We certainly don’t want be replaying everything at home in session to no avail, but we will need to see it in action before reigning it in.

How to make the most (or worst!) of therapy.

Check in.. let us know if we get something wrong.
Therapy is difficult in the following situations, or made worse by..
- when you believe your partner is the one with problem
- When threats of separation are active
Making the best of it..
- honest but kind - sometimes it’s finding a way through
- Slow down
- Notice the process
- Remember you and your partner love one another: this is a difficult reframe, but a subtle change in how we view the problem can go a long way.

Frequently Asked Questions

We offer a range of solutions designed to meet your needs—whether you're just getting started or scaling something bigger. Everything is tailored to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
Counseling isn’t just about resolving problems. Many couples start therapy when they notice emerging challenges or simply want to strengthen their foundation. Every relationship benefits from better communication, deeper support, and proactive care.
You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.
We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.
Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.

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