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Accessible Evidence-Based Couples Therapy
Welcome.
I work with couples of all backgrounds, helping them to enrich and reinforce their relationships for meaningful partnerships and value-based lives.
Whether you're preparing for a major transition, grieving a loss or betrayal, or just seeking to maintain relational health,
couples therapy can help you and your partner move forward together.
Our work will emphasize three domains of relational health:
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Manage the conflict inherent in intimate connection, helping you to move from gridlock to dialogue;
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Deepen the friendship & intimacy at the core of your relationship; and
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Build shared meaning and purpose through mutual exploration and rituals of connection.
These themes, and my approach overall, are guided by the principles of The Gottman Method, the leading evidence-based modality of couples therapy.
Peter Governali, Pre-license Therapist
Our Goals
Managing Conflict
You will work towards mutual understanding, compromise, and gentle start-ups to difficult conversations.
You will learn to recognize and redirect contempt, criticism, defensiveness, and stonewalling in order to facilitate compassionate and productive dialogue.
Strengthening Friendship
The foundation of a strong relationship is a strong friendship. You will deepen trust and connection by building maps of each other's values, identities, and worlds.
You will practice holding space for each other's dreams and fears within a supportive therapeutic environment.
Building Shared Meaning
Though we might not always be on the same page as our partners, we must each learn about the page the other is on.
With shared understanding and rituals of connection, partners move from "I" to "We" and unite around shared purpose and meaning.
FAQ
How do we get started?
To begin, simply reach out by email or text to schedule a free 15-minute phone intake. If it seems like a good fit, I'll ask each of you to complete an assessment prior to our first session in order best serve you.
What can I expect during our first session?
Our first session focuses primarily on the shared and diverging narratives of relationship that each partner brings into the room. This provides us with a foundation upon which to build as we move forward in therapeutic work.
What does therapy look like?
Even as the content of therapy changes, I will emphasize a dyadic style. This means that you and your partner will be encouraged to speak directly to each other, rather than to me. This reflects our focus on the dynamic between you, rather than "problems" within one or both of you.
What is your clinical training?
Beyond my Master's level academic and clinical training, to be completed by the spring of 2026, I have completed trainings in various approaches including: Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
How much does therapy cost?
Each 80 minute session costs $20, payable by cash or card. The entirety of this fee goes to my supervisor to help me provide the highest quality care.
What is a "Pre-license Therapist?"
As a pre-license provider, I have completed the bulk of my master's level training and provide therapy under the license of an experienced supervisor, with whom I consult regularly to ensure the most up-to-date evidence-based care.
Supervisor:
Kim Hannan, LPC 4450-125