Couples Therapy

Rebuild trust, improve communication, and strengthen your relationship

Together we will work towards yours and your partner's goals by establishing skills needed to bring stability and balance back into your life and relationship.

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How Couples Therapy Can Help?

Good Counsel Therapy offers HIPAA-compliant online couples therapy for partners in Texas and New Jersey. Whether you're navigating betrayal, communication breakdowns, or life transitions, therapy provides a respectful, neutral, and judgment-free space to heal and grow together.

Are you conflicted with feelings of betrayal within your marriage or intimate relationship? In a respectful, neutral, and judgment-free space, you and your partner can find support and empowerment to make the necessary changes within yourselves that can affect the wellbeing of your relationship. Getting the appropriate guidance within a therapeutic setting can help you and your partner have a fulfilling partnership and choose the best course of action for yourselves.

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"I used to avoid so many things because of anxiety. Now I feel like I can actually live my life."

Client Testimonial

Common Issues We Address in Couples Therapy

    • Infidelity (emotional or physical affairs)

    • Broken promises and dishonesty

    • Rebuilding trust after betrayal

    • Deciding whether to stay together or separate

    • Constant arguing or conflict

    • Feeling unheard or misunderstood

    • Difficulty expressing needs and emotions

    • Defensiveness and criticism

    • Stonewalling or withdrawal

    • Emotional distance or disconnection

    • Sexual difficulties or mismatched desire

    • Feeling more like roommates than partners

    • Loss of romance or passion

    • Becoming parents (or navigating parenthood)

    • Career changes or financial stress

    • Blended family challenges

    • Illness or loss

    • Retirement or empty nest

    • One or both partners healing from trauma

    • Childhood wounds impacting adult relationships

    • Patterns from previous relationships

    • Discernment counseling (should we stay or go?)

    • Navigating separation with respect

    • Co-parenting support

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happy couple after online couples therapy

What to Expect in Couples Therapy

In your first session, we'll meet together to understand your relationship history, identify the issues bringing you to therapy, and hear both partners' perspectives. We'll discuss your goals for therapy, establish ground rules for respectful communication, and explain how couples therapy works. This is a safe space where both partners will be heard without judgment.

Typical couples therapy sessions are 50-60 minutes and may include practicing communication skills, processing conflict in a constructive way, exploring patterns and dynamics in your relationship, addressing past hurts and rebuilding trust, strengthening emotional connection, and homework or exercises to practice between sessions.

Occasionally, I may meet with each partner individually to process personal trauma or issues, discuss sensitive topics privately, and ensure both partners feel heard. However, the primary focus is on working together as a couple.

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My Approach to Couples Therapy

A joyful young couple hugging outdoors on a rooftop terrace, with a scenic landscape of trees, hills, and a cloudy sky in the background.

I provide a neutral, non-judgmental space where both partners feel safe to express themselves. I don't take sides—my goal is to help both of you understand each other better and develop the skills needed for a healthy relationship.

Key Principles:

  • Respect: Both partners are treated with dignity and respect

  • Empowerment: You make the decisions about your relationship

  • Skill-building: Learn practical communication and conflict resolution tools

  • Accountability: Both partners take responsibility for their role in the relationship

  • Hope: Even in difficult times, positive change is possible

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Skills You’ll Learn in Couples Therapy

Effective Communication

  • Expressing needs and feelings clearly

  • Active listening without defensiveness

  • Using "I" statements instead of blame

  • Asking for what you need

Conflict Resolution

  • Fighting fair (avoiding criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling)

  • De-escalating arguments

  • Finding compromise and common ground

  • Repairing after conflict

Emotional Connection

  • Expressing appreciation and gratitude

  • Building intimacy and vulnerability

  • Understanding each other's emotional needs

  • Creating rituals of connection

Trust and Accountability

  • Rebuilding trust after betrayal

  • Keeping commitments

  • Being transparent and honest

  • Offering and accepting repair

Why Choose Good Counsel Therapy?

  • Your privacy matters. All online therapy sessions use encrypted, HIPAA-compliant video platforms to ensure your conversations remain completely confidential. We adhere to the highest standards of professional ethics and data security.

  • Maranice Strickland is a licensed professional counselor specializing in trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Fully licensed in Texas and New Jersey, she is committed to your mental health journey with compassionate, professional care.

  • No commute. No waiting rooms. Schedule therapy sessions that fit your work and family commitments, with evening and weekend appointments available. Online counseling makes mental health support accessible when you need it most.

FAQs

  • Ideally, yes. Couples therapy works best when both partners are committed to the process. However, even if one partner is hesitant, we can start and see how it goes.

  • Online therapy (also called teletherapy or telehealth counseling) is a form of mental health treatment conducted remotely using secure video calls. A licensed therapist provides the same kinds of support they would in person—including talk therapy, coping strategies, and treatment plans—but through an online platform.

  • It depends on your goals and the issues you're facing. Some couples see improvement in a few months, while others benefit from longer-term work. We'll discuss your progress regularly.

  • Therapy can help you make that decision with clarity and intention. We can work on discernment, helping you decide whether to stay and work on the relationship or separate respectfully.

  • Yes. Many couples successfully rebuild trust after infidelity. It requires honesty, accountability, and a commitment to the healing process from both partners.

  • Yes, for many people and many mental health conditions, research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy. Studies have found comparable outcomes for conditions like:

    • Generalized anxiety disorder

    • Major depressive disorder

    • Post-traumatic stress disorder

    • Relationship and stress-related concerns

    A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis published in JMIR Mental Health found that psychiatric treatment conducted via telemedicine showed comparable effectiveness to in-person modality for posttraumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.

  • Your first session is usually focused on getting to know each other and setting goals. Common steps include:

    • Reviewing confidentiality and how online therapy works

    • Discussing your concerns, history, and what brought you to therapy

    • Setting short- and long-term goals

    • Testing the technology (e.g., audio/video, comfort with the platform)

    • Asking any questions about the therapist's approach

    You won't have to share everything at once—it's okay to go at your own pace.

  • Relationship issues are rarely one person's fault. In therapy, we explore each partner's contribution to the dynamic without assigning blame. Both partners have a role in creating change.

  • No. I won't tell you what to do. My role is to help you explore your feelings, improve communication, and make the best decision for yourselves.

  • Online therapy may be a good fit if you:

    • Prefer the convenience of home sessions or have mobility or scheduling challenges

    • Feel comfortable communicating over video or phone

    • Want access to more therapist options outside your immediate area

  • Yes, in many cases. Most major insurance plans in Texas and New Jersey cover online therapy (telehealth) similarly to in-person sessions, especially since coverage expanded after the COVID-19 pandemic. Coverage depends on your specific plan—co-pays, deductibles, and in-network requirements may still apply.

    To learn more about our accepted insurance plans and self-pay rates, visit our Rates & Insurance page.

  • Yes. Your privacy is very important to us. All sessions are conducted on a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform to ensure that your information and conversations remain completely confidential.

  • Find a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable and won't be interrupted. It can help to have a notebook or something to drink nearby, and most importantly… just come as you are! There's no need to prepare anything special.

  • Life happens! If you need to reschedule or cancel, just let us know as soon as possible. Our policy requires 24-hour notice to avoid a late cancellation fee, and we'll always do our best to find a new time that works for you.

  • Most clients start with weekly sessions to build consistency and momentum. As you begin to feel more grounded and confident, we can adjust the frequency to fit your needs and goals.

It’s Time to Take the First Step

Seeking couples therapy is an act of courage and commitment to your relationship. Whether you're in crisis or simply want to improve your connection, therapy can help you and your partner create the relationship you both deserve.

Ready to begin? Send an email to schedule your first session or call to learn more.