Couples Therapy in Pasadena

When couples come to therapy, they’re often exhausted. Conversations have become circular, communication feels adversarial, and conflict flares easily — even over seemingly small things. Beneath the conflict, though, there is usually something tender: a longing to feel close again, to be understood, to be seen. Couples therapy creates a space where that deeper longing can be heard — and where the path back to connection can begin.

My approach to couples therapy is both relational and psychodynamic, which means I’m interested in the why beneath the conflict. In addition to the surface-level tension, we’ll focus on the deeper emotional undercurrents that shape how each partner communicates, reacts, and connects.

My role is not to tell you what to think or how to feel, but to translate. I help ensure you both feel heard so that each of you can better understand the other.

Together, we explore the dynamics that are playing out in your relationship, the unmet needs or unspoken expectations, and the protective patterns that may be keeping you disconnected. We’ll take an honest look at how you operate together, and how you can begin to move in tandem again, instead of in opposition. 

Couples therapy is a space to slow down, listen differently, and make sense of what’s happening between you. Early sessions focus on understanding each partner’s perspective and the recurring dynamics that create distance or conflict. As clarity grows, we work toward improving communication, rebuilding trust, and fostering genuine empathy — not just surface-level compromise.

Progress doesn’t mean never disagreeing; it means being able to stay connected even when you do. Over time, couples often find that what once felt stuck or adversarial begins to feel more open, collaborative, and alive.

My approach is psychodynamic and relational, which means we look beyond surface disagreements to the deeper emotions and histories that shape your relationship. Together, we’ll explore the underlying patterns, unmet needs, and protective behaviors that keep you stuck.

This isn’t just about resolving today’s arguments. It’s about creating the conditions for greater intimacy, trust, and resilience in the long run — so your connection can feel not only repaired, but renewed.