Menu
Life in California moves fast. Whether you’re stuck on the 405, managing Bay Area tech pressures, or shuttling kids to sports in San Diego, careers and commutes can leave your relationship on autopilot.
Online couples counseling across California offers practical tools to communicate better, rebuild intimacy, and strengthen your partnership without adding more stress to your busy life.
Whether you’re in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, or anywhere in between, couples therapy online gives you flexible scheduling, weekend appointments, and effective tools to stop negative patterns & communicate like partners.
One of the most eye-opening lessons I learned in graduate school at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles was this: The biggest factor in a client’s success isn’t the type of therapy, the technique, or even the duration. It’s the strength of the therapeutic relationship.
After 15 years of marriage and two decades of counseling couples, I’ve seen what works. The key is becoming a TEAM against the defenses that keep you apart. If you’re ready to stop feeling disconnected in your relationship, book your free 15-minute introductory call now.
“Debbie & her coaching saved our marriage! We have had so much going on these past few months, I’m not sure if we would have made it out still together if it weren’t for her help. The support has helped us communicate, listen, and react so much better to each other!”
– COUPLE ON THE BRINK OF DIVORCE IN CA
While you’re managing work, your social life, and endless California responsibilities… from back-to-back meetings to kid drop-offs to fighting traffic on the 101, tension builds and small triggers turn into big disconnects.
Get back to enjoying weekend hikes in Griffith Park or sunset beach walks in Santa Cruz without that undercurrent of tension. Schedule your free consultation and see how online couples counseling in California can help you feel like a team again without adding more stress to your schedule.
The fighting cycles ended.
We now feel safe to share
anything with each other.
When life in California moves fast, your relationship starts to feel like just another task on your to-do list. You used to feel that rush of excitement when you saw each other… maybe when you first explored Malibu together or cheered on your team at a Giants game, but now you feel more like roommates.
You don’t have to settle for feeling distant. With expert support & practical tools, you can break through the tension, rebuild trust, and bring back the ease and closeness that once felt effortless.
Online Couples therapy gives you flexible scheduling, weekend appointments, and effective tools to become better partners… even if your week is packed with after-school activities, LA auditions, or board meetings in Palo Alto. Reconnect from wherever you are in California. Reignite the connection that makes everything else in life feel lighter.
There is nothing more painful than feeling completely alone… right next to the person who used to get you the most. A California relationship therapist can help you break old patterns and rebuild trust.
Married. Engaged. Dating. Committed. Straight. Bi. Gay. Neurodivergent. Polyamorous.
“WE HAVE HAD MORE AWARENESS & CHANGE FROM THIS PROCESS & TOOLS
THAN ANY OTHER THERAPY WE’VE EVER DONE.”
– COUPLE MARRIED FOR 20 YEARS
DEBBIE CHERRY, LMFT
Exactly What To Say to Improve Couples Communication
Fix Relationship Problems With These 15 Empathy Statements
25 Fun Questions To Better Understand Your Partner’s Needs
Couples therapy is a collaborative process where a trained therapist helps partners improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen their emotional connection. The strategic support of an relationship expert can help you learn tools for managing disagreements and strengthening your bond… even for busy couples in Orange County or The Bay Area who feel stuck on autopilot.
Finding the right therapist is a big predictor of positive therapy outcomes. I offer a free 15-minute consultation if you want to talk more about working together.
Yes. I provide secure video sessions for couples anywhere in California… from San Francisco to San Diego, LA to Sacramento. You can get support without the traffic or commute. Research shows that online couples therapy is as effective as in-person. It’s convenient, discreet, and allows partners to join from different locations.
Being in your own space lowers defenses, builds rapport faster, and helps you open up more easily, so you get results sooner. You can see client success stories, reviews and results here.
Some of the most common relationship issues include:
Not all therapy is the same. My approach is collaborative, actionable, and grounded in 20+ years of experience helping high-achieving couples reconnect without blame or overwhelm. I use research-based, practical approaches (like the Gottman Method and attachment theory) that focus on skill-building, not just talking. Many couples tell me it’s the first time they’ve felt real progress.
Research indicates that therapy sessions led by a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, can help improve communication, resolve conflicts, heal from infidelity, and deepen emotional connections… essential for couples living in high-stress, high-cost areas like The Bay Area, Sacramento, Palo Alto, and Orange County.
If you want to learn more about my style, to relationship challenges, start with a free 15-minute consultation to get a feel for the process. Sometimes, a fresh approach with trauma informed care makes all the difference.
Online couples counseling helps you break old patterns, develop a deeper understanding, and handle real-life stress better… whether you’re navigating tech industry burnout, parenting pressures, or relationship ruts.
First, it brings awareness to the habits and reactions that keep you stuck. Then, it offers new ways to connect… like learning how to truly listen and feel heard, even in tough moments. You’ll also get practical tools to manage conflict, improve communication, and rebuild trust.
I use research-backed methods like the Gottman Method and attachment-based approaches to help California couples feel safer, closer, and more supported. Change doesn’t come from talking alone… it comes from doing things differently, together.
To see what’s possible with expert guidance, check out the couples’ success stories here.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some couples benefit from just a few sessions focused on one issue. Others may engage in longer-term work to address deeper patterns. Many couples in California attend every other week for 3–6 months, depending on goals. Every couple is different, but many start to feel relief and make real progress from the first session.
Yes, I see clients on Saturdays and Sundays. Many busy couples prefer meeting on the weekends so they can make space for improving their relationship. I am off Mondays and Tuesdays which actually works well for my family as well since we homeschool. Clients have access to the calendar and can schedule and reschedule as needed on their own.
In your first session, we’ll discuss your goals, relationship history, and concerns… whether it’s tension after long Silicon Valley hours or frustration over too many hours spent on the 405. You’ll each have space to share, while I help identify the patterns that keep you stuck.
As your California couples therapist, I’ll guide you through tough conversations without shutting down or blowing up. We’ll focus on what matters most to you, using proven tools to improve communication, reduce conflict, and rebuild connection. It’s a welcoming process focused on making both partners feel heard, no judgments or “ganging up” on one person. You won’t just vent. You’ll leave with clear takeaways and tools to start feeling like a team again, and create a fulfilling relationship.
Yes, every session includes practical, research-backed tools tailored to your relationship. This isn’t just talk therapy. You’ll walk away with strategies you can use right away.
Here’s what you might get:
These tools are designed to help California couples go from stuck and disconnected to more secure and supported, together. Want a sneak peek? Download the Connected Communication Toolkit here.
While individual therapy focuses on your personal experiences, couples therapy focuses on the relationship as the client. Your therapist will guide both of you to better understand each other’s perspectives and patterns and work as a team to improve connection.
No, therapists remain impartial, focusing on the relationship’s well-being. They don’t judge or advise breaking up; instead, they help partners understand each other better. Any decision to separate is up to the couple.
Many of the couples I work with are not in crisis, and find marriage counseling effective. They are proactive, high-achieving, and just feeling disconnected, stuck in the same arguments, or wanting to grow together more intentionally. Couples therapy isn’t only about fixing what’s broken; it’s also about leveraging your strengths and building habits that help you stay close, even during stressful times. Think of it as relationship coaching for your emotional bond. The earlier you start, the easier it is to shift patterns and create real connection.
Couples counseling in CA can be covered by insurance in some cases, when it is considered a medical necessity. Relationship therapy for couples focused on communication, creating new patterns and growing closer is often not considered a medical necessity and does not fit the traditional medical model where there is a diagnosis and specific treatment. Insurance acceptance varies by provider and insurance plan. It’s essential to verify benefits with both your insurance company and your California couples therapist so you don’t run into surprises. Always confirm your benefits before beginning therapy to avoid unexpected costs and ensure a smooth therapy experience.
The investment for each couples counseling session ranges from $175 to $350 per 50-minute session, depending on the level of support you choose and your benefits… often far less than the cost of a single night out in LA or the Bay Area, and potentially life-changing for your relationship.
Most couples in California experience real momentum and clarity within just a few sessions. Many clients also use their HSA/FSA benefits or receive up to 50% reimbursement through their insurance provider.
If you’re not sure what’s covered, I can help guide you through the right questions to ask on a free consultation call.
It depends. Most insurance plans in California don’t cover couples or family therapy unless it’s deemed medically necessary under one partner’s diagnosis. Many therapists offer private pay options to keep your work fully confidential and tailored to your needs.
If marriage counseling is tied to a diagnosable mental health condition (like depression or anxiety), some plans may cover it. However, therapy focused on relationship dynamics, communication, and emotional growth is often not considered a “medical necessity” and may not be covered.
Coverage depends on your specific plan and the policies of your insurer. Some plans reimburse a portion or all of the cost if the therapy is delivered by a licensed counselor in California. It is advisable to check directly with your insurance provider and CA couples therapist about coverage details and eligibility before starting therapy.
Yes. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists in California are legally and ethically bound to maintain your confidentiality. If anything changes (like one-on-one sessions or disclosures), your therapist will explain how confidentiality is handled.
Therapy sessions are confidential, and what you share won’t be disclosed without your written consent. There are a few legal exceptions to confidentiality, such as if there’s a risk of serious harm to you or others which will be addressed fully in the informed consent. If you’re using insurance, it’s important to know that most insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis for reimbursement. That diagnosis becomes part of your medical record, which some couples prefer to avoid. Because of this, many California couples choose to pay privately to maintain more privacy and avoid labeling their relationship or one partner with a clinical diagnosis.
Start by looking for someone with special training and extensive experience in couples therapy, not just general therapy. A well-trained couples therapist understands the complexity of adult relationships and can guide both of you without taking sides.
I bring over 20 years of experience working with couples and have advanced training in research-backed methods like Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method, and attachment-based approaches. My focus is on helping both partners feel heard, respected, and supported.
It is also important to choose someone you both feel comfortable with. Take time to read bios, check reviews, and schedule a consultation to see if it feels like the right fit for your relationship.
California is home to incredible cultural diversity, and I’ve had the privilege of working with couples from a wide range of backgrounds, identities, and belief systems. Therapy honors your cultural values, communication styles, and unique relationship norms.
I approach each relationship with curiosity, cultural humility, and respect for your values, family history, and lived experience. I tailor my approach to respect your unique traditions, communication styles, and relationship expectations… while helping you build common ground, emotional safety, and connection across differences.
My goal is to create a space where both partners feel understood, respected, and supported in a way that truly fits who you are.
Absolutely. Couples therapy can be especially helpful when you and your partner think, feel, or communicate in different ways. Whether one or both of you are neurodivergent… ADHD, autism, sensory sensitivities, or other processing differences. Therapy can give you a shared language and new tools to bridge those gaps.
You’ll learn how to recognize each other’s needs, reduce misunderstandings, and connect in ways that feel safe and respectful for both of you. Sessions might include structured tools, visual aids, or repetition to support clarity and emotional regulation, tailored to how your brains work best.
The key is working with a therapist who understands neurodivergence and honors your unique dynamic. With the right support, couples therapy becomes a space where you both feel seen, supported, and more connected.
That’s very common. Some partners fear blame, judgment, or feeling like the “problem.” A good therapist creates a safe, balanced space where both people feel supported, not blamed. You can start by attending alone and inviting your partner to join when ready.
You’re welcome to start with a free 15-minute consultation, and I’ll help you figure out a path forward that feels supportive and doable for both of you. Finding the right therapist is a big predictor of positive therapy outcomes.
Yes. I offer affirming and inclusive therapy for LGBTQ+ couples across California. With over 20 years of experience supporting adults and couples, I understand how important it is to feel seen, safe, and respected… especially when navigating identity, relationship dynamics, or the effects of trauma.
Whether you are working through communication challenges, exploring identity, navigating nontraditional relationship structures, or healing from discrimination, therapy can offer a supportive space to reconnect and grow together.
I am currently accepting new clients and continue to provide psychotherapy for adults alongside my work with couples. My approach is grounded in relationship research, culturally responsive care, and practices tailored to your unique values and lived experiences.
That’s okay. Many California couples come to therapy to gain clarity in a safe space with compassionate care, not just to “fix” things. Whether you’re leaning in or unsure, therapy helps you explore your next steps with honesty and respect.
If you’re stuck having the same argument on repeat, feeling emotionally distant, or just want to reconnect, online couples therapy can help. You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit. Whether you’re navigating big life transitions or simply want to strengthen your bond, expert guidance offers practical tools to improve communication, deepen connection, and shift unhelpful patterns quickly.
Many couples just try one session and take it from there. You might be surprised how much clarity and hope you can gain right away. Book your free consultation here and let’s take the first step together.
Couples counseling services may not be suitable for couples experiencing acute mental health emergencies, or domestic violence, where immediate and intensive in-person intervention is needed. Assess your situation carefully with a mental health professional’s guidance before choosing the best support for your relationship.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, Texas & Florida.
Relationship Coaching available worldwide.
Get actionable steps to communicate
effectively and bring out the best in each other.