Common Concerns · Relationships
Therapy for relationships, to feel close and understood again.
Relationships can be our greatest source of comfort and our deepest source of pain. Whether it's a partner, a parent, a friend or a pattern you keep repeating in dating, struggling with the people we love affects everything.
Our clinicians work with individuals, couples and families to break unhelpful patterns, talk with more care and rebuild trust, in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and more, online or in person.
Signs it might be time to talk to someone
Relationship struggles take many forms. You might notice some of these:
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In conversations
- The same argument, again and again
- Shutting down or blowing up
- Avoiding hard topics
- Feeling criticized or dismissed
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In how you feel
- Lonely, even when you're together
- Resentment that keeps building
- Anxious about where things are going
- Unsure whether to stay or go
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In your life together
- Less affection or intimacy
- Living like roommates
- Tension spilling over to children or family
- Trust that's been broken
You don't need to be in crisis to get help. Many couples and families come early, when things simply feel harder than they used to, and that often makes change easier.
Relationship concerns we help with
Communication and conflict
Breaking the cycle of arguments and learning to really hear each other.
Trust and infidelity
Understanding what happened and deciding together what comes next.
Dating and attachment
Patterns you keep repeating, and finding relationships that feel secure.
Breakups and divorce
Getting through the end of a relationship with as much care as possible.
Family conflict
Tension with parents, siblings or in-laws, often across generations and cultures.
Friendship and loneliness
Building connection when it feels hard to reach people.
How we help
Your clinician will tailor support to you, whether you come alone, as a couple or as a family.
Couples therapy
Drawing on the Gottman Method, emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and other proven approaches to break the cycle of conflict and reconnect.
Individual therapy
Understand the patterns you bring to relationships, and choose new ones.
Family therapy
Help parents, children and relatives communicate and support each other.
Communication skills
Practical tools for listening, speaking up and repairing after arguments.
Rebuilding trust
Support for couples recovering from infidelity or broken promises.
In the language you think in
Sessions in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean or Spanish, including for families who speak different languages at home.
Clinicians who focus on relationships
Each of these clinicians lists relationships among their areas of focus. Look for someone whose languages and approach feel right to you.
See all clinicians who focus on relationshipsQuestions about relationship therapy
Something else on your mind? Our FAQ covers much more, and our intake team is always happy to talk it through.
Do we have to come together?
Not necessarily. Couples therapy works best with both partners, but individual therapy can also change how you show up in your relationships. Your clinician can help you decide what fits.
My partner won't come. Can I start on my own?
Yes. Many people begin on their own, and that alone can shift how things feel at home. If your partner decides to join later, your clinician will help you plan the next step.
Will our therapist take sides?
No. Your therapist is there for the relationship, not to decide who's right. Each of you will have room to be heard.
Can we have sessions online from different places?
Yes. Each of you needs to be in a state where your clinician is licensed at the time of each session. Our clinicians are licensed across 15 states.
Can I have sessions in Mandarin or Cantonese?
Yes. Many of our clinicians speak Mandarin, and some speak Cantonese, Korean or Spanish. On Our Team you can filter clinicians by language.
Will insurance cover relationship therapy?
It depends on your plan. Insurance often covers family sessions that are part of one person's treatment, but many plans don't cover couples therapy on its own. It's worth asking your insurer what's covered before your first session; our intake team can tell you what to ask and explain our fees clearly. FSA and HSA cards are accepted.
Whenever you're ready, we're here.
- Reach outSend us a short message, or call or text (650) 434-2563. We reply within one business day.
- A free 15-minute callOur care team listens, answers your questions about cost and insurance, and suggests clinicians who fit.
- Your first sessionMany people meet their clinician within one to two weeks. The first session is mostly about getting to know each other, at your pace.
If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please call or text 988 any time, day or night. In an emergency, call 911.
