Relationship and Marriage Counseling therapists in Golden Hills, California CA
Relationship and Marriage Counseling
Dr. Ingrid Solano
Psychologist, PhD
I have over a decade of expertise in conceptualizing and treating struggling interpersonal and intimate relationships. Through a honed lens of social constructionism, I focus on understanding and meeting the unique needs, meanings, and values of each relationship. Every relationship is unlike any other. This stance promotes authentic curiosity and explores how we make meaning together. Meaning and action are closely interwoven in our relationships, and each member of the relational context influences the culture and landscape of the interpersonal experiences within. In therapy, we collaborate in creating a new way of relating that allows the rediscovery of empathy for each other in these contexts, and resolves troubling patterns of communication and differences in expectations that negatively impact understanding, connection, and value...
I believe relationships and context matter. Research shows that relationship distress causes problems in mental health, work, children, and even your own physical health. Yet, healthy relationships protect you from stress and help you thrive.
I believe in using relationship therapy that works. I practice evidence-based therapy, which means I use therapeutic practices that have been studied and supported by empirical research studies.
I work with clients to improve their interpersonal functioning both within relational contexts (i.e., couples, families), as well as with individuals who would like to focus on their past, present, and future interpersonal interactions. Clients explore the relational impacts of experiences such as rejection sensitivity, feelings of codependency, attachment concerns, life transitions, divorce, trust, shame, self-esteem, assertiveness, and the impact of dating in the digital-age (i.e., feeling ignored, insecure, ghosting, text communications).
Unfortunately, most people don't have access to effective help for their relationships nor have they been taught what healthy relationships and communication look like. Because of this, I also prioritize increasing access to couple therapy by offering telehealth, evening and weekend scheduling, and lower-cost options that are tailored to Client needs and resources.
I strive to understand your goals, help you communicate and form these goals explicitly, and reach them effectively. I have worked with couples, families, parents, Veterans, adolescents, and individuals on strengthening their relationships and interpersonal skills. I have expertise in working with LGBTQIA+ relationships, sex therapy, and increasing physical and emotional intimacy between partners who seek nonjudgmental therapeutic space and openness to non-traditional relationships (i.e., polyamory, open relationships, play partners, swingers, friends with benefits (FWBs), BDSM etc.). I work with couples/relationships and individuals addressing pornography consumption, kink, and all manner of consensual play. (See additional relational competencies in the ‘diversity’ sections and relationship based ‘services.’) I often employ a mixture of Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy and Emotion Focused Couples Therapy when working with intimate partners. I have an extensive background in Family Systems modalities as well, including Gottman Method, Structural Family Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Family Systems, and others.
There are several forms of relational therapy you can engage in:
Couple Therapy and Therapy with Romantic Partners
Family Therapy
Therapy for Friends or Coworkers
Relationship Therapy for Individuals (just you!)
Relationship Education
Relationship Coaching (for just you or you and your partner(s))
Premarital Coaching
11 Years Experience
Relationship and Marriage Counseling
Jean Wolfe Powers
Marriage and Family Therapist, M.A., L.M.F.T., International Life Coach, A.C.C.
When working with a couple, I focus on healing through developing insight. I know this is difficult when you are facing many life struggles such as depression, addictions, affairs, grief, anxiety, and misaligned values. Through the vulnerability that comes up in therapy, healing is possible to an enormous degree.
36 Years Experience
Relationship and Marriage Counseling
Rinat Kass
Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Relationships are a crucial component to our well being and fulfillment in life. Unfortunately, most of us did not have good role models while growing up to show us how to successfully navigate the conflicts and challenges that every relationship is bound to experience. Thankfully, it is never too late to learn how to build healthy and meaningful relationships. In our work together, I will lean on years of studying relationships and the best ways to help people create fulfilling connections.
17 Years Experience
Relationship and Marriage Counseling
Dr. Donald Dufford
Psychologist, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Director, Anxiety Treatment Services
Successful relationships start with knowing and accepting ourselves. Then we can be clear about our needs and wants and learn to communicate clearly and appropriately. From there we can be genuinely empathetic and understanding of others points of view ultimately learning to identify and resolve dysfunctional patterns in your relationships.
38 Years Experience
Relationship and Marriage Counseling
David J. Kest
Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified IMAGO Relationship Therapist, MFT, and EMDR
In addition to being a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist , I became certified in Imago Relationship Therapy providing couples with the tools and skills required to actually turn conflicts into loving connections.
31 Years Experience