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.
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.
"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
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.
My Approach to Couples Therapy
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
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.