Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during the first couples therapy session?

Your first session is $30. I’ll ask how long you’ve been together, whether you have children, and what each of you wants to change. Once I understand your concerns, I’ll start helping both of you shift from blaming each other to taking responsibility for your own thoughts, words, and actions. Most couples start to see things differently after one session. You can schedule here or use the contact page.

How much does couples therapy cost?

50-minute sessions cost $300. Your first session is $30. I don’t take insurance. You can get started here: Click Here to Schedule.

Do you accept insurance for marriage therapy?

I don’t bill insurance directly, but I can provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Some of my clients pay for therapy with HSA cards.

How long does couples therapy take?

Most of my clients improve after each session and feel comfortable stopping after five to ten sessions. Some couples resolve issues quickly; others stay longer for deeper work. Either way, my goal is concrete progress each session. You can read more about the process on How Couples Therapy Works.

What is Crucible Therapy?

Crucible Therapy was developed by Dr. David Schnarch. It focuses on personal growth and responsibility instead of teaching surface-level communication tricks or forcing compromise. It helps each person develop a stronger sense of self while staying emotionally connected.

Can couples therapy really help my marriage?

Yes, if you’re willing to work on yourself instead of waiting for your partner to change. My job is to help each of you see your part in the pattern and change it. When you change, it becomes easier for your partner to change too.

How do we know if we need couples therapy now?

If you keep having the same fight, or you've stopped fighting and started living like roommates, it's time. So is an affair, or one of you talking about leaving. Don’t wait until things are unbearable. See Communication and Disconnection.

How do we rebuild trust after betrayal, deception, or infidelity?

About one-third of the couples I work with are recovering from infidelity. As soon as the cheating stops, repair can start. I help each of you earn your own self-respect, so you stop leaning on each other for approval, and I help you understand how the affair came about. The core of affair recovery is caring more about each other and being more open and honest with each other, on both sides. Start with couples therapy after infidelity.

Can counseling help if we argue constantly or feel like roommates?

Yes. If you argue constantly, we work on pausing before you react, making requests instead of complaints, and revealing what you think instead of trying to convince each other. If you feel like roommates, we work on noticing when you hide, saying what you actually think and want, and treating each other well on purpose. See Communication and Disconnection.

Can therapy help with intimacy, sex, and desire differences?

Yes. In almost every long-term relationship, one partner wants sex more than the other. That's normal, and it's very workable as long as each of you is willing to look at your own part in it. We work on talking about sex directly without blaming each other, calming your own anxiety instead of needing your partner to do it, and letting yourself be seen. Start with couples therapy for sex and desire.

Can couples therapy help with money stress and life transitions like becoming parents?

Yes. Most couples ask me for help with communication, and some also ask for help with anger, arguing, infidelity, sexuality, or parenting. Whatever the topic, the work is the same: each of you looks at your own part in the pattern and changes it. Start with How Couples Therapy Works.

Do both partners need to attend couples therapy?

It works best when both partners attend. That’s where the real work happens. But if your partner won’t come, you can still make meaningful progress by working on yourself. One person changing can shift the relationship dynamic. See Couples Therapy.

Do you offer online couples therapy or telehealth sessions?

I prefer in-person sessions at my Roseville office because I can see relational dynamics more clearly in the room. That said, I do offer online therapy for couples in California and online relationship coaching outside California.

What makes your approach different?

I’m more blunt, direct, and practical than most therapists. I won’t just nod while you talk in circles. I’ll tell you what I see and what needs to change. Almost all of my post-graduate training is focused on couples work, including Crucible Therapy training. My personal experience with ineffective therapy is exactly why I work this way. Read more on Crucible Therapy.

Where is your office, and how do we schedule?

My office is at 300 Harding Blvd, Suite 108, Roseville, CA, with easy access from Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Rocklin, and Granite Bay. Parking is free. My office is on the ground floor, in the left rear corner behind the waterfall. To start, schedule online or call 916-292-8920.