Couples Therapy
Awakenly's Approach to Couples Therapy: Guiding Relationships Toward Connection, Growth, and Healing
At Awakenly, we believe that relationships are one of the most meaningful and complex parts of our lives. When nurtured, they can be a profound source of connection, growth, support, and joy. But when conflict arises or disconnection takes root, it can deeply affect our sense of self, safety, and satisfaction—not just within the relationship, but in our lives more broadly.
Our team at Awakenly has extensive experience in working with couples at various stages of their journey. Whether you’re seeking therapy to address a recent rupture, longstanding patterns of conflict, or simply want to deepen your emotional connection, we are here to help. We love working with couples and are committed to fostering real, lasting change that aligns with your shared goals and values.
We understand that choosing to begin couples therapy is a vulnerable step—one that often comes with hope, uncertainty, and a deep desire for something to shift. At Awakenly, we meet that courage with compassion, experience, and a structured, evidence-based approach that helps couples move toward healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
A Safe Space for Honest Conversations
Central to our approach is the creation of a safe, nonjudgmental space where both partners can feel seen, heard, and respected. We know that vulnerability doesn't come easily, especially when trust or communication has been strained. That’s why we prioritize emotional safety in every session. Our therapists are trained to guide conversations with care and intention, creating an environment where you can share openly—about your struggles, your desires, your frustrations, and your fears.
We don’t take sides. Instead, we seek to understand each partner’s perspective and help illuminate the dynamics at play in your relationship. We recognize that each person brings their own experiences, attachment patterns, and communication styles into the relationship, and we honor those complexities as we work together toward change.
In couples therapy, we also make space for each partner’s individual journey. While the focus is on the relationship, we understand that you are also individuals with your own needs, triggers, and emotional landscapes. Supporting personal growth within the context of the couple is often key to creating the kind of transformation that sustains.
Grounded in the Gottman Method
At Awakenly, our couples therapy is grounded in the Gottman Method, a research-based approach developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman after decades of studying what makes relationships succeed or fail. The Gottman Method is renowned for its practical tools, deep emotional insights, and measurable outcomes.
What sets the Gottman Method apart is its strong foundation in science. The Gottmans’ research has followed thousands of couples over time, identifying the behaviors, emotional patterns, and communication habits that lead to either stability or breakdown. This wealth of data informs our approach to therapy and allows us to offer interventions that are not just hopeful—they’re proven.
Here are some of the core components of the Gottman Method that we integrate into our work:
1. Assessment and Understanding
We begin with a thorough assessment of your relationship, including a joint session, individual interviews, and online questionnaires. This helps us understand the strengths and challenges in your partnership so we can tailor therapy to your specific needs.
2. Building Love Maps
Love Maps are the mental roadmaps we have of our partner’s inner world—their worries, dreams, stresses, and joys. Couples with strong Love Maps are more emotionally attuned. We help you strengthen these maps to rebuild or deepen your emotional connection.
3. Managing Conflict Constructively
All couples experience conflict. The key is how you manage it. We work with you to identify the “Four Horsemen” of communication—criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling—and replace them with healthier alternatives. Our goal is to help you navigate disagreements in a way that leads to understanding rather than escalation.
4. Enhancing Friendship and Intimacy
Friendship is the foundation of lasting love. Through Gottman-based exercises, we help you reconnect with the positive aspects of your relationship—shared memories, fun, admiration, and emotional intimacy. This foundation supports resilience during more challenging times.
5. Creating Shared Meaning
A fulfilling relationship involves shared values, goals, and dreams. We help you explore and align on what gives your relationship meaning, whether it’s parenting, spirituality, adventure, or building a future together.
6. Promoting Positive Affect
We incorporate techniques that help increase positivity in your interactions, build affection, and foster mutual appreciation. These seemingly small moments can have a huge impact on how secure and connected you feel as a couple.
Working Toward Your Relationship Goals
Every couple is different, and every relationship has its own story. That’s why our approach is always personalized and collaborative. Whether your goals involve rebuilding trust after betrayal, improving sexual intimacy, navigating parenting stress, managing life transitions, or simply communicating better, we work with you to identify what matters most.
Our therapists act as both compassionate guides and skilled facilitators. We don’t just “listen and nod”—we provide structure, insight, and actionable strategies to help you make progress toward the relationship you want. We believe in setting clear goals, tracking your progress, and celebrating the wins—no matter how small.
Who We Work With
Our couples therapy services are inclusive and affirming. We work with couples of all orientations, identities, and backgrounds. Whether you are dating, engaged, married, separated, polyamorous, or anywhere in between, we welcome you.
We are also mindful of the social and cultural factors that shape relationships. Issues related to race, gender roles, family expectations, and past trauma can have a significant impact on how couples connect and communicate. Our therapists are trained in cultural humility and trauma-informed care, and we aim to hold space for the unique intersections that define your relationship.
Why Couples Choose Awakenly
Couples choose Awakenly because they want more than just a place to vent—they want change. They want to feel connected again. They want to be seen and valued. They want to grow, together.
What makes our practice stand out is the combination of warmth, expertise, and structure we bring to every session. Our therapists are not only experienced in working with couples, but they are also deeply passionate about this work. We consider it a profound privilege to walk alongside people as they navigate one of the most important and tender areas of their lives.
We also know that therapy is an investment—of time, trust, and emotion. That’s why we take our role seriously. We’re committed to creating a supportive experience that feels safe, productive, and attuned to your needs. Our goal is not just to help you survive as a couple, but to thrive.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re considering couples therapy, we’re honored to be part of your journey. At Awakenly, we are excited to be taken into consideration for something as important as helping you navigate the challenges, changes, and opportunities that come with loving another person—and being loved in return.
We’re here when you’re ready.