Couples Psychotherapy
Couples Psychotherapy in San Diego, California
Do we need couples' therapy?
Being in a relationship can be deeply fulfilling and genuinely difficult at the same time. Many couples find themselves stuck in the same arguments, struggling to feel heard, or noticing patterns that seem to repeat no matter how hard they try. Couples therapy offers a space to slow down, understand what's happening between you, and begin to shift those patterns.
At Shibley Psychology, our therapists are trained to help couples navigate life's challenges in a safe, supportive environment. We work with couples from all backgrounds and specialize in cross-cultural relationships, new parenthood and parenting challenges, life transitions, and LGBTQ relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Couples come to us for many different reasons. You may benefit from working with us if you are experiencing:
Recurring conflicts that never seem to get resolved
Difficulty communicating without things escalating
Feeling disconnected or emotionally distant from your partner
Struggles with trust or intimacy
Adjusting to a major life transition together — a move, a new baby, a career change
Differences in parenting styles or values
Patterns that feel familiar but hard to change
A desire to strengthen your relationship before problems take hold
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Couples therapy at Shibley Psychology begins with a thorough evaluation that typically spans three to five sessions. In the first session, you and your partner will come together to share a bit of your relationship history and what's bringing you in.
In the following sessions, your therapist will meet individually with each of you. This allows us to get to know each of you as individuals, understand your personal histories, and gain a fuller picture of how each of you functions both independently and within the relationship.
After those individual sessions, we will all meet together again. Your therapist will share initial impressions, and together you will discuss your goals and develop a treatment plan. Sometimes individual therapy is recommended for one or both partners, in addition to or instead of couples therapy. The length of treatment varies — some couples benefit from a focused short-term approach, while others work through deeper patterns over a longer period of time.
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It depends. Some couples benefit from a focused short-term approach and see meaningful change in a handful of sessions. Others work through deeper patterns over a longer period of time. We often start with weekly sessions and taper down to biweekly or monthly as things improve. Your therapist will discuss recommendations with you as the work progresses.