Couples Therapy Oakland
Relationships can bring deep joy — and deep pain. Many couples in Oakland come to us feeling disconnected, unheard, or unsure how to move forward. Whether you’re navigating constant arguments, the aftermath of betrayal, or simply want to rebuild closeness, couples therapy at Calm Again Counseling offers a safe, compassionate space to begin healing together.
Our approach is rooted in evidence-based methods that help couples understand one another, restore emotional safety, and create lasting change.
When Couples Need Therapy in Oakland?
Every relationship goes through difficult seasons. Sometimes those challenges are triggered by life transitions — new jobs, children, or moves. Other times, the pain runs deeper: emotional distance, broken trust, or unresolved resentment.
Couples often reach out to us when communication feels tense, intimacy fades, or conflict keeps looping without resolution. You don’t have to wait until things fall apart. Couples therapy in Oakland can help you both learn new ways to connect and repair before resentment builds.
How We Work: Couples Counseling in Oakland?
At Calm Again Counseling, we don’t take sides. Instead, we help both partners feel seen, understood, and supported. Our couples counseling in Oakland focuses on rebuilding trust and creating space for honest, caring communication.
Together, we explore what’s beneath the surface of your conflicts — the emotions, fears, and unmet needs that often drive arguments. From there, we practice new relational tools that bring more empathy and balance to your partnership.
Evidence-Based Methods We Use
Our therapists draw on proven models known for improving relationship satisfaction and emotional connection:
Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Structured interventions based on 40+ years of research that improve communication and rebuild friendship between partners.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Helps couples identify negative cycles and replace them with patterns of closeness, safety, and secure bonding.
Brainspotting and EMDR for Relational Trauma: Addresses trauma that affects emotional regulation and attachment, helping partners heal old wounds that resurface in the relationship.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Couples: Encourages each partner to understand their inner parts — the protectors, critics, and wounded selves — that shape how they relate.
CBT for Couples: Practical strategies to interrupt unhelpful thinking patterns and reduce defensiveness.
Each couple’s plan is customized. Whether you’re dealing with conflict, betrayal, or drifting apart, we meet you where you are — with empathy, not judgment.
Find a Couples Therapist in Oakland Who Understands Your Story
Finding the right couples therapist in Oakland, CA can feel overwhelming. You need someone who won’t take sides, who understands complex emotions, and who knows how to guide you toward real connection.
Our therapists bring years of experience working with couples from diverse backgrounds — married, unmarried, LGBTQ+, monogamous or polyamorous. We respect your values and relationship goals. The goal isn’t to decide who’s right or wrong, but to help both of you feel safe, respected, and heard again.
Online Couples Therapy in Oakland
If getting to the office is difficult, we also offer online couples therapy in Oakland through secure telehealth sessions. Many couples find that meeting from home reduces stress and allows them to engage more openly.
Virtual therapy offers the same effectiveness as in-person sessions, especially for couples with busy schedules or those living outside central Oakland. It’s confidential, flexible, and accessible — allowing your healing work to fit seamlessly into your week.
Specialized Couples Services
Every relationship has unique challenges. That’s why we provide specialized services tailored to your needs:
Infidelity & Betrayal Trauma Counseling
Rebuilding trust after an affair or betrayal takes time and structured support. We help couples process the pain, rebuild emotional safety, and work toward forgiveness — whether you choose to stay together or separate with clarity.
Premarital Counseling in Oakland
For couples preparing for marriage, premarital counseling helps build a strong foundation. We’ll explore communication styles, shared values, finances, intimacy, and conflict resolution skills to set you up for long-term success.
Parenting & Co-Parenting Support
Balancing parenting and partnership can feel overwhelming. We guide couples through the challenges of raising children while maintaining a supportive, connected relationship.
Sex & Intimacy Counseling
When emotional or physical intimacy feels strained, therapy can help you both explore desires, barriers, and ways to reconnect with trust and vulnerability.
Separation & Healthy Breakups
Sometimes, love transitions rather than ends. Therapy can help couples separate respectfully, especially when children are involved, minimizing lasting emotional harm.
What to Expect in a Couples Therapy Session?
The first few sessions focus on understanding your relationship’s patterns. We’ll explore what each partner experiences, where communication breaks down, and what changes you hope for.
As therapy progresses, sessions become more interactive — practicing real conversations, rebuilding empathy, and learning tools to de-escalate conflict. Each session lasts about 50 minutes, though extended sessions are available for deeper work.
Outcomes: What Couples Can Gain?
Through couples therapy in Oakland, many partners notice a gradual shift: conversations feel calmer, connection feels safer, and affection begins to return naturally. Over time, you’ll both gain:
Clearer communication and less defensiveness
More emotional safety and trust
A deeper understanding of one another’s needs
Renewed closeness and intimacy
Tools to manage conflict without fear or blame
Our aim isn’t perfection — it’s reconnection. Even small moments of understanding can begin to change how you see each other.
Fees, Insurance & Session Logistics
We know that therapy is an investment in your relationship. Session fees depend on the therapist and length of sessions. Sliding scale options are available to make care accessible.
We are an out-of-network provider but can offer superbills for insurance reimbursement. If you have questions about couples therapy cost in Oakland, our admin team can help clarify options before your first session.
FAQs
How many sessions does couples therapy take?
Every relationship is unique, but most couples notice improvement within 6–12 sessions. Long-standing issues may take longer to resolve.
Do you offer Gottman or EFT couples therapy in Oakland?
Yes. Our therapists are trained in both the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), two of the most researched and effective approaches for couples work.
Can we do online sessions?
Absolutely. We provide secure online couples therapy across Oakland, giving you flexibility to attend from home or during travel.
What if my partner doesn’t want to come?
You can still start therapy individually. Many relationships begin to change when one partner learns new tools and perspectives.
Is couples therapy covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan. We’ll help you navigate reimbursement paperwork and provide documentation for out-of-network benefits.
Ready to Start Couples Therapy in Oakland?
If your relationship feels strained, it doesn’t mean it’s broken. With guidance, compassion, and the right tools, reconnection is possible.
At Calm Again Counseling, we’re here to help you both find your way back to safety, trust, and closeness — one conversation at a time.
Book your couples therapy in Oakland today or schedule a free consultation to learn how we can support your next steps together.
Meet The Team
Paulina Machi, ACSW
Jonathan Mitchelmore, LCSW
Chris Hershey-Van Horn, ASW
John Clarke, LPCC, Clinical Dir.
Marcus Ghiasi, AMFT