Common Reasons to Seek Couples Therapy in Austin

Communication problems

Feeling unheard, misunderstood, or like every conversation turns into an argument? Many Austin couples struggle with communication breakdowns—whether it's avoiding difficult topics, shutting down during conflict, or falling into patterns of criticism and defensiveness. Research shows that 69% of relationship problems are "perpetual problems" based on personality differences that never fully go away—the key is learning to discuss them without damage. Our therapists use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method techniques to help you develop healthier communication patterns, express your needs clearly, and truly listen to one another.

Difficulty with life transitions

Major life changes like moving to Austin, having a baby, career shifts, becoming empty nesters, or dealing with illness can strain even the strongest relationships. These transitions often bring new stressors, shifting roles, and different expectations that couples haven't navigated before. Marriage counseling helps you adjust to these changes together, maintain your connection during stressful times, and support each other through the uncertainty that transitions bring.

Being caught in a negative pattern

Do you feel like you're having the same fight over and over? Many couples find themselves stuck in negative cycles—pursue-withdraw, criticize-defend, or blame-shutdown patterns that leave both partners feeling frustrated and hopeless. Our Austin couples therapists help you identify these patterns, understand what triggers them, and develop new ways of interacting that break the cycle. Using evidence-based approaches, we help you create positive patterns that foster connection instead of conflict.

Feeling disconnected and distant

When you feel more like roommates than romantic partners, it can be lonely and disheartening. Emotional distance often creeps in gradually—through busy schedules, unresolved conflicts, or simply losing touch with what brought you together. Couples therapy helps you rebuild emotional and physical intimacy, rediscover what you love about each other, and create intentional time for connection. Whether the distance has been building for months or years, it's possible to feel close again.

Feeling criticized or unsupported

Constant criticism, contempt, or feeling like you're facing life's challenges alone can erode even the strongest bond. When one or both partners feel unappreciated, judged, or unsupported, resentment builds and intimacy suffers. Our marriage counselors help couples learn to express complaints without criticism, offer support during difficult times, and cultivate a culture of appreciation and respect. We teach you how to be each other's biggest cheerleader instead of harshest critic.

Balancing life and relationship

Austin's fast-paced lifestyle, demanding careers, parenting responsibilities, and endless to-do lists can make it challenging to prioritize your relationship. Many couples struggle to find time for each other amidst work deadlines, kids' activities, household responsibilities, and personal needs. Couples therapy helps you create realistic expectations, set boundaries around work and other commitments, and carve out meaningful time for your relationship.

Affair recovery and infidelity recovery

Discovering infidelity is one of the most painful experiences a relationship can face, but healing is possible with the right support. Whether the affair was physical, emotional, or online, rebuilding trust after betrayal takes time, commitment, and skilled guidance. Our Austin therapists are skilled in affair recovery, helping couples process the betrayal, understand what led to the infidelity, decide whether to stay together or separate, and—if you choose to rebuild—create a stronger, more honest relationship moving forward.

Anger and resentment toward your partner

Unresolved hurt, unmet needs, and accumulated disappointments can turn into chronic anger and resentment that poison your relationship. When you're constantly irritated with your partner or holding grudges about past hurts, it's nearly impossible to feel connected or loving. Marriage counseling provides a safe space to express these difficult emotions, understand what's underneath the anger, heal old wounds, and learn to address conflicts before they turn into lasting contempt.

Uncertainty about the relationship's future

When one or both partners are considering separation or divorce, we offer Discernment Counseling—a short-term approach (typically 1-5 sessions) designed for couples at this crossroads. Unlike traditional couples therapy, which assumes both partners are committed to working on the relationship, Discernment Counseling helps you gain clarity about your path forward without pressure to reconcile. Through structured conversations, your therapist helps you understand what contributed to where you are now and what feels right for you both.

Desiring closeness and to be understood

Even when things aren't "bad," many couples long for deeper emotional intimacy and connection. You want to feel truly seen, understood, and valued by your partner—not just coexisting but thriving together. Our couples therapists help you move beyond surface-level interactions to create genuine emotional intimacy. Through vulnerability, active listening, and new ways of connecting, couples therapy can help you achieve the closeness and understanding you've been craving.

Problems with your sex life

Sexual intimacy challenges are common in relationships and often connected to emotional intimacy, communication, stress, life transitions, or past trauma. Whether you're dealing with mismatched desire, performance anxiety, painful sex, or simply feeling disconnected physically, our therapists create a safe, non-judgmental space to address these concerns. We understand that sexual health is an important part of relational wellness and help couples navigate these sensitive topics with compassion and practical strategies.

Being preventative — tackling small issues now before they get worse

You don't have to wait for a crisis to benefit from couples therapy. Many couples seek counseling proactively—before getting engaged, after having their first child, or when they notice small issues starting to surface. Premarital counseling and preventative therapy help you build strong communication skills, align on important values and expectations, and develop tools for navigating future challenges together. Investing in your relationship now can prevent bigger problems down the road and set you up for long-term success.

Our Approach to Couples Therapy

At Austin Relational Wellness, we don't just help you argue less—we help you understand the deeper patterns and attachment needs driving your conflicts. Our couples therapists believe that most relationship struggles aren't about the surface issues (dishes, money, schedules) but about feeling disconnected, unseen, or unimportant to each other.

Using research-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method Couples Therapy, we help you get beneath the arguments to what you're each truly longing for: to feel valued, secure, and connected to your partner. We'll help you break the negative cycles keeping you stuck and create new patterns of turning toward each other instead of away.

What to Expect in Couples Therapy

Your First Session

Couples therapy provides a safe, confidential space for you and your partner to explore your thoughts, emotions, and needs with the guidance of a trained professional. In your first session, your Austin couples therapist will get to know you both, understand what brought you to therapy, hear each partner's perspective, and learn about your relationship history and goals. This initial session helps your therapist understand your unique dynamics and begin creating a personalized treatment plan.

Ongoing Couples Therapy Sessions

In ongoing sessions, your couples therapist or marriage counselor will teach you new ways to communicate effectively, help you identify the negative patterns keeping you stuck, and guide you in developing healthier ways of relating to each other. Using evidence-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method Couples Therapy, your therapist will help you understand the emotions and attachment needs underlying your conflicts, not just manage surface-level disagreements.

Session Frequency and Timeline

Most couples attend weekly or biweekly sessions, though frequency can be adjusted based on your needs and goals. Some couples see improvement in just a few months, while others benefit from longer-term support as they work through deeper issues or major life transitions. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to determine what's working, adjust the approach as needed, and help you build skills you can use long after therapy ends.

A Safe, Neutral Space

Throughout the process, your therapist maintains a neutral, supportive stance—never taking sides but helping both partners feel heard, validated, and understood. The goal isn't to assign blame or determine who's "right," but to help you both understand each other more deeply, break negative cycles, and reconnect as a team. Whether you're in crisis or simply want to strengthen an already good relationship, couples therapy can help you build the lasting intimacy and partnership you're seeking.

Common Questions About Couples Therapy in Austin

How much does couples therapy cost?

Couples therapy sessions at Austin Relational Wellness start at $150 per 50-minute session. We're private pay, so we do not accept insurance directly. However, we can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement if your insurance provider offers out-of-network benefits.

What if my partner doesn't want to come to therapy?

It's common for one partner to be more hesitant about therapy than the other. We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation where we can talk with both of you (or just the hesitant partner) about what to expect and address any concerns. Our therapists also offer individual sessions for each partner during the first phase of couples therapy, which ensures each person can share their perspective fully and can help both partners feel comfortable and connected to the process.

Do you see unmarried couples?

Absolutely! We work with couples at every stage—dating, engaged, married, committed partnerships, or non-traditional relationship structures.

Can couples therapy save our relationship?

Couples therapy can't guarantee any specific outcome, but research shows that Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method Couples Therapy are highly effective at improving relationship satisfaction and helping couples reconnect. Whether your goal is to strengthen your bond, improve communication, or gain clarity about your relationship's future, we're here to support you.

What if we're not sure we want to stay together?

That's okay, and you're not alone. Many couples come to therapy with uncertainty about their relationship's future. When one or both partners are considering separation or divorce, we offer Discernment Counseling—a short-term approach designed to help you gain clarity about whether to stay together, separate, or commit to working on the relationship. Through structured conversations with each partner, your therapist helps you explore your options and understand what each path forward might look like. We support you wherever your journey leads.

Do you offer premarital counseling?

Yes! We offer premarital counseling using PREPARE/ENRICH to help engaged couples build a strong foundation before marriage. This can help you address potential areas of conflict, strengthen communication, and enter marriage with confidence.

Why Choose Austin Relational Wellness for Couples Therapy?

✓ Skilled, Specialized Therapists - Our couples therapists bring specialized training in multiple evidence-based approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and psychodynamic therapy, allowing us to tailor therapy to what your relationship needs most

✓ Relational Focus - We help you understand the patterns and cycles keeping you stuck, not just the surface-level arguments

✓ All Couples Welcome - We provide affirming, inclusive therapy for LGBTQIA+ couples, non-traditional relationship structures, and partners at every stage—dating, engaged, or married

✓ Flexible Options - In-person sessions at our North or South Austin locations or secure online couples therapy throughout Texas

✓ Evening Appointments - Convenient scheduling to accommodate both partners' busy schedules

✓ Warm, Non-Judgmental Space - We don't take sides. We help you see each other's perspectives and get back on the same team

✓ Cozy, Inviting Office - Comfortable, welcoming space designed to help both of you feel at ease

✓ Free Consultation - Talk with us before committing to your first session to make sure we're the right fit