Couples Counseling In Houston & Across Texas

As a couples counselor, I understand the unique challenges faced by newly married couples, young couples, and new parents. 

After the initial honeymoon stage, life settles down and sometimes those changes can be wonderful and thrilling, while at other times, frustrating and difficult. The truth is, it can often be difficult to navigate life, no matter which direction it takes. I’m here to walk with you and your partner as you figure out how to move forward as a couple. My approach is client-centered and collaborative, based on how you want to approach therapy. As a couples counselor, my goal is to provide a safe and empathetic environment. This safe space is where you can explore topics like:

  • How to fight fair about common challenges like money, parenting and sex

  • How to strengthen communication so you can understand each others’ values

  • How to create a deeper connection that leads to deeper intimacy and stronger communication

  • How your expectations about your relationship are sabotaging your happiness

  • And of course more as it relates to your life and specific situation.

Common Relationship Problems That Lead Couples To Therapy

For newly married couples, navigating the early stages of marriage can be both exciting and overwhelming. Relationship counseling can help you build a solid foundation by addressing common challenges such as:

Balancing Individual and Shared Goals

It’s one thing to assume you know the person you’re with and another to find out who they truly are. Wanting children, making career decisions, and deciding on where and how you’ll spend your money are just a few of the topics we can explore together. 

I will guide you to discover who your partner is on a deeper level so you’re not clouded by your own perceptions and history. When you are able to understand your differences, you will learn how to appreciate the values that make you different, and unite on decisions together. This is how couples learn how to navigate life transitions without resentment and build a strong foundation based on shared goals and commitment to one another.

Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution

We learn how to fight at the knees of our parents or the people who raised us. Those conflict resolution skills may or may not be working for you and your partner. The truth is, without a safe environment to understand what your partner means when they’re trying to have a difficult conversation, your frustrations and resentments will only continue to grow. 

In couples counseling, we work to get you on the same page understanding why you want and need the things you do. You’ll learn how to fight fairly and to hold space for your similarities and differences.

Parenting Challenges

Just because you both share the desire to become parents does not mean you share the same values and goals for your children. The perceptions, expectations, and traditions you bring to your new family don’t always easily meld together. 

I will help you uncover your original vision of parenting and how it is different now in reality. We’ll focus on what led you to this place so we can create a new set of agreements about how you want to coparent together moving forward. I will help you create an environment amenable to talking so that you can figure out how to work on your struggles together. 

Grief and Loss

Relationships tend to get shaken when there is grief or loss between you. Because we each process loss in different ways, it’s important to honor and respect your different values and experience. Also, men and women experience their emotions through traditions, gender roles, and temperament, adding to the confusion when one person expresses their sadness or loss in ways that are foreign or confusing to the other.

If you’re newly married, perhaps the grief doesn’t even make sense - after all, this is a happy time with lots of anticipation about the future (starting a new career, wanting to become parents, or moving can be a few big moments early in married life). But when grief is present and you’re not able to connect with your partner, it can be a very lonely time.

It’s important to learn how to hold space for one another. Emotions don’t always make sense nor do they follow a linear pattern. Learning how to support one another through loss and find ways to come back to one another instead of isolating is the goal. I will gently support you through this experience, giving you both time to process, connect, and heal.  

Work Overwhelm & Stress

Work can bring a sinister set of challenges to relationships because it doesn’t always make sense how stress at work is affecting life at home. That alone can make sorting out where the real issue lies challenging. After a decade working in the corporate world, I am familiar with many work-related stressful situations and have great compassion for those going through career anxiety, intractable deadlines, workplace bullying, and managing work-life boundaries. 

In couples counseling I can help you learn how your natural ways of processing frustrations and stress are potentially contributing to the conflict you’re experiencing in your marriage. From there, we can work on learning how to manage outside complications like work stress in ways that are less harmful to your relationship. By learning how to effectively communicate with your partner when workplace stress arises, you can keep your partner close when the world around you seems unmanageable.

Sex & Intimacy

Each couple has their own rhythm and desires when it comes to sex. Creating a safe space to learn how to communicate about intimacy issues isn’t always easy. Parenting, workplace stress and any mental health challenges all take a toll on your intimate time together. I want you to know that’s common and not at all something to be ashamed about.

In therapy, we will work together to understand what is going on underneath so you can understand your partner’s motivations and expectations about sex and intimacy. This will help you connect on different levels so you can build a more loving, intimate relationship no matter what circumstances or outside stressors may be affecting your partnership.

My Approach To Couples Therapy

My training and my goal as a therapist is to have both partners feel comfortable in the room and with me. I want you to feel as if I’m a collaborator working with you to help you understand how you got where you are today and envision where you’d like to go in the future. What works with one couple is not going to work for another and I want to help you create the kind of relationship you aspire to.

Book A Couples Therapy Session With Rachel Today

Are you ready to invest in your relationship counseling and create a stronger connection with your partner? Contact me to schedule a couples counseling session and embark on your journey towards a happier, healthier, more fulfilling relationship.

How Couples Therapy Can Help Your Marriage Or Partnership

Because relationship challenges are a natural part of any partnership, in therapy we aim to explore your unique issues and find solutions that increase your happiness, mental wellness and love for one another. That can include:

  • Exploring communication triggers that cause fights or disagreements

  • Discussing your values and where you are in, or out, of alignment with one another

  • Managing mismatched expectations around important areas of your life like sex, parenting, spending time together, financial decisions and more

  • Addressing and educating on mental health challenges like anxiety or depression that can creep in unexpectedly and cause barriers between couples

  • Building resilience to what’s ahead – newly married couples may face disappointment about the challenges life brings them. Setting your partnership up for success means looking at the road ahead and fortifying your relationship for future challenges before they arise

In-person & Online Couples Counseling Services

For busy couples juggling work, family, and other commitments, finding time to focus on your relationship can be a challenge. That's why I offer both in-person and online couples counseling services to ensure you receive the same high level of care, with the added flexibility to choose the option that best suits your needs.

A Dedicated Space to Connect  

Therapy should provide you with a comfortable, private space to focus on your relationship. Attending sessions together encourages a sense of shared commitment to the process and offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen your connection.

Convenient & Accessible

For couples who find it challenging to coordinate schedules or attend in-person sessions, online counseling offers a convenient alternative. With the flexibility to connect from the comfort of your home, you and your partner can access the support you need without sacrificing other priorities.

Flexible Scheduling

I provide flexible scheduling options, including early morning and evening appointments, to accommodate your needs. Whether you prefer in-person sessions or the convenience of online counseling, you'll find a solution that works for you and your partner.

Personalized Support

I offer every couple regardless of how we connect, personalized and compassionate therapy that is focused on your relationship's growth. Together, we'll explore your communication patterns, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to strengthen your bond together.

With both in-person and online couples counseling services available, you can access the support you need to nurture your relationship without sacrificing your other commitments. Don't let a busy schedule prevent you from taking the first step towards a happier, healthier partnership.

Investing in couples counseling can help you and your partner navigate life's challenges, improve communication, and foster a deeper connection. With flexible in-person and online therapy options available, you can access the support you need to build a stronger, healthier relationship. Don't let a busy schedule stand in the way of your journey towards a more fulfilling partnership. 

Book a couples counseling session with me and let's embark on your journey towards a stronger, more fulfilling connection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Counseling

  • During a couples counseling session, you and your partner will work together with me to explore your relationship dynamics, address challenges, and develop healthier communication patterns. My collaborative and supportive approach ensures both partners feel heard and valued throughout the process.

  • Open and honest communication is key when discussing couples therapy with your partner. Share your feelings and concerns about your relationship, emphasizing that therapy is an opportunity to strengthen your connection and work through challenges together.

  • While it's ideal for both partners to participate in therapy, individual sessions can still be beneficial. We can focus on your concerns and develop strategies to improve your relationship, even if your partner is not present.

  • While couples therapy is most effective when both partners participate, individual sessions can still provide valuable insights and strategies for improving your relationship. We can explore your concerns and develop approaches to address challenges, even if your partner is not present.