Relationship Counseling in San Diego

The Gottman Method is one of the approaches we use at Novara Counseling. The Gottman Method was created through extensive research on what causes successful and unsuccessful relationships. The method is used to help couples discover their personal conflicts, build trust and friendship, and learn how to handle future conflicts. Our approach goes beyond just dealing with the problem before you but digs deeper into why such a problem exists in your relationship, therefore, leading to sustainable change. The process is a collaborative effort and done at a pace comfortable for you and your partner.

We provide relationship counseling in San Diego for couples who experience issues, including but not limited to, recurring conflicts, poor communication, emotional detachment, intimacy problems, life changes, parenting struggles, and healing from betrayal. Applying research-driven techniques such as the Gottman Method, we aim to support couples in understanding each other and fostering a relationship that is built on trust and security. Learn more about relationship counseling from our couples therapy blog.

What to Expect from Relationship Counseling at Novara Counseling

Your initial session will give us a chance to get to know you both, your history as a couple, the struggles you have faced, and what you would like to see happen. After that first session, our couples therapist will typically schedule one individual session with each partner. This gives each person the full 55 minutes with the therapist to share their own perspective, background, concerns, and goals in a private space.

Once both individual sessions are completed, sessions usually continue as couples sessions moving forward.

We can then collaborate to create a treatment program suited to your unique relationship dynamics. Most couples start to experience changes in their communication and conflict resolution process during the early few sessions; however, all relationships have different paces.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know that I need relationship counseling?

If you're experiencing repeated conflict, distancing or having problems with feeling understood by your partner, then counseling can help; you don’t have to be in crisis to get support for your relationship.

How fast will relationship counseling produce results?

It depends on each specific couple and issues you discuss in counseling. Some couples experience positive changes in several weeks, other couples might require more time to address certain issues.

Do you provide virtual sessions for couples counseling?

Yes. We have an option to provide in-person counseling in San Diego and also virtual counseling for couples in the state of California and Florida.

What should I do if my partner is not willing to go to counseling?

While couples counseling is most effective when both partners attend the session, individual counseling can still prove helpful in understanding your place in this relationship and what you should do next.

Why Seek Relationship Counseling?

For couples, relationship counseling may help with:

• Frequent conflict or repeated arguments

• Difficulty communicating effectively

• Emotional distance or feeling disconnected

• Trust issues or healing after infidelity

• Intimacy and vulnerability concerns

• Parenting disagreements or family stress

• Life transitions, including marriage, moves, or career changes

No relationship is perfect, and needing support doesn't mean something is wrong with you or your partnership. If you're ready to reconnect, rebuild trust, or simply communicate better, we'd love to help you both get there.

Offering in-person sessions in San Diego & virtual sessions throughout California!