Finding the right couples therapist can make all the difference in breaking through frustrating cycles, strengthening your relationship, and feeling closer than ever.
As a licensed marriage and family therapist in San Diego, I have a deep understanding of how our early experiences impact our present-day relationships. I specialize in helping couples navigate the impacts of complex trauma and attachment issues and learn new ways of connecting with each other.
My clients are often partners who struggle with repeated arguments, feelings of disconnection, trust injuries, and patterns rooted in childhood experiences. My approach integrates evidence-based methods like the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy with trauma-informed care.
If you’re looking for an experienced therapist to help you and your partner heal past hurts and improve communication, I’d love to help. Contact me today for your free consultation to learn more about my approach and start the process.
There may be some situations where my practice isn’t the best fit. You and your partner deserve support that feels right for you, whether that’s with me or another therapist. I’ve curated this resource to help you find a therapeutic match for your relationship.
5 highly recommended San Diego marriage therapists
1. Taylor Smith, LMFT
While my practice is welcoming to couples of all gender identities and sexual orientations, some partners may find it helpful to work with a couples therapist who identifies as queer themselves. Taylor is a queer-identifying San Diego couples counselor with expertise in supporting LGBTQ+ communities. She also specializes in supporting neurodivergent individuals and couples, which may be especially helpful if you or your partner has ADHD or is on the autism spectrum.
2. Jennifer Calderon-Mendenhall
Jennifer Calderon-Mendenhall, LMFT, is a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 10 years of experience in working with couples. Jennifer blends both short and long-term approaches, including Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, psychodynamic, and attachment-focused modalities. She specializes in helping couples work through communication issues, trust repair, and intimacy challenges. Jennifer also has experience working with same-sex couples and polyamorous couples.
3. Isiah Green
If you or your partner’s experience as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces is impacting your relationship, you may find it helpful to work with a therapist who has expertise working with active duty service members and veterans. Isiah is a local couples counselor who has spent eight years serving as a member of the U.S. Navy, and he is trained in the Gottman Method.
4. Elizabeth A. Hill
While my practice welcomes people of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds, some couples may, understandably, prefer to work with a clinician who has expertise in supporting BIPOC communities. Elizabeth’s practice specializes in couples counseling for marginalized groups, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ populations.
5. Kelly Goldsteinholm
If you’re looking for a San Diego couples therapist with expertise in kink, polyamory, and other diverse relationship structures, Kelly’s practice could be a good fit. She also uses a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach to support people who experience disordered eating.
FAQs about couples counseling
What percentage of couples survive couples therapy?
Research shows that about 70% of couples experience improvement from couples therapy.. The effectiveness often depends on both partners’ commitment to the process and willingness to engage openly.
Plus, success means different things to different couples. For many, that means improving communication, building trust, and breaking long-held patterns. For others, it may mean an intentional separation. We’ll work together to identify your goals for therapy and establish a plan to help you get there.
How do we know if we need couples therapy?
Consider couples therapy if you:
- Have the same arguments repeatedly without resolution,
- Feel emotionally disconnected or lonely in your relationship,
- Struggle with trust issues,
- Have difficulty communicating your needs,
- Feel defensive or criticized frequently, or
- Notice that childhood patterns are affecting your current relationship.
Many couples benefit from therapy even when their relationship is generally strong. It can be a helpful tool for deeper connection and preventing future issues, even if things feel okay now.
What kinds of relationship issues do you help with?
I specialize in helping couples work through the ways in which past trauma impacts their current relationship. If you’re not sure whether that’s the case for you, you’re not alone—many of my clients are surprised that their challenges can be tied back to past experiences.
Common themes in my sessions include
- Recurring conflict patterns,
- Communication breakdowns,
- Trust issues,
- Infidelity recovery,
- Feeling disconnected, and
- Challenges with intimacy.
I also work with couples navigating life transitions, parenting challenges, and partners who struggle with the impacts of low self-worth on their relationship.
What is your approach to marriage counseling?
My approach is grounded in trauma-informed care, recognizing that many relationship challenges stem from early life experiences. I help couples understand their attachment styles and how unconscious emotional patterns drive recurring conflicts. My treatment integrates several evidence-based modalities, including:
- Gottman Method: Research-based techniques to improve communication and manage conflict constructively
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT): Helps partners identify and express underlying emotions to create secure attachment bonds
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Body-based therapy that addresses how trauma is stored physically and affects relationship dynamics
- Internal Family Systems: Explores how different parts of your personality show up in relationships and create conflict patterns
Our work together can uncover emotional blind spots, improve communication, and create the safety needed for deeper connection and intimacy.
What can we expect from the therapy process?
In our initial sessions, we’ll explore your relationship history, current challenges, and goals for therapy. I’ll help you identify recurring patterns and the underlying emotions driving conflicts.
As we progress, you’ll learn new communication tools, develop greater emotional awareness, and practice expressing needs more directly. Many couples notice decreased tension, improved understanding of each other’s perspectives, and increased feelings of safety and connection.
How do we know if your practice is the right fit?
My practice is ideal for couples dealing with patterns rooted in childhood experiences. I work well with partners who are curious about understanding themselves and each other more deeply and willing to explore how past experiences shape their current relationship dynamics. If you’re drawn to an integrative approach that addresses both the emotional and physical aspects of healing, we may be a good match.
During our free consultation, we’ll explore your specific situation and see if my specialized approach aligns with your relationship needs.
How do we get started?
Getting started is simple—reach out to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation where we can discuss your relationship concerns and determine if we’re a good fit. During this call, I’ll answer your questions about the therapy process, explain my approach, and help you understand what to expect.
If we decide to move forward, we’ll schedule your first session where we’ll begin exploring your relationship patterns and goals. I offer flexible online sessions with evening availability to make getting support as convenient as possible.