Couples Therapy in California
You've had the same argument more times than you can count. Or maybe the arguments have stopped entirely, replaced by something quieter and harder to name. You're not sure if what you're experiencing is a rough patch or something that needs more serious attention. You're not sure therapy is the answer, but you're here, reading this, which means part of you thinks it might help.
Couples therapy in California is available through my teletherapy practice for adults and teens ages 13 and older. I'm Amy Johansson, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist in California (License #35977) who works with couples facing communication breakdown, life transitions, emotional distance, and the strain that builds when two people are trying to move forward but keep getting stuck. Sessions are available via secure video to clients anywhere in California, and I also offer therapy in Swedish.
It Doesn't Have to Be a Crisis to Be Worth Addressing
One of the most common things I hear from couples before they reach out is some version of: "We're not sure it's bad enough for therapy." The truth is that couples therapy isn't reserved for relationships on the edge. Many couples come in wanting to understand each other better, prepare for a significant change, or work through something that's been quietly draining them for months.
When communication breaks down or a relationship reaches a turning point, couples therapy offers a structured space to work through what feels stuck, not just manage it.
What Brings Couples In
The reasons vary. Some couples are navigating a major life transition: a move, a new baby, a career change, a loss. Some are dealing with patterns that have been present for years but feel harder to ignore now. Some have recently experienced a rupture, something that shifted the trust between them, and they're not sure how to rebuild.
What these situations share is that both people are trying, and trying alone isn't enough anymore. Therapy offers a place where both of you can be heard, where a third perspective helps surface what's getting in the way.
Communication is often the first thing that erodes under stress, and couples therapy for communication challenges in California goes deeper than teaching scripts; it helps you understand what's actually getting in the way.
What Sessions Actually Look Like
My approach to couples work is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the methods that have the strongest evidence base, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and client-centered approaches. I don't come into the room with an agenda about what your relationship should look like. I come in interested in understanding both of you.
Early sessions tend to focus on understanding each person's experience and identifying the patterns that have become entrenched. From there, the work shifts toward building different ways of responding, repairing what's been strained, and clarifying what both of you actually want. Sessions are 50 minutes and take place via teletherapy, so you can participate from wherever you are in California.
Some people find that the individual work they've been doing in individual psychotherapy in California naturally leads them toward wanting to address patterns that show up in their relationship as well. That kind of transition is something we can discuss.
Fees and Practical Details
Couples therapy in California is $350 per 50-minute session. I am not in-network with insurance providers, but I can provide documentation for out-of-network reimbursement; contact your insurance company directly to confirm your coverage. Sliding scale options are available, and full session rates for couples therapy in California are listed for both states. Payment is accepted via cash, check, or Venmo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is couples therapy only for relationships that are in serious trouble?
No. Many couples come in for reasons that have nothing to do with crisis. Some want to strengthen communication before a major life change, some are working through a period of distance or disconnection, and some simply want a structured space to understand each other better. Therapy is useful across a wide range of situations, not just the ones that feel urgent.
What if my partner is skeptical about therapy?
That's common, and it's worth starting with a conversation rather than pressure. A 15-minute consultation is a low-stakes way for both of you to get a feel for the process before committing to anything. Some people find that skepticism softens once they've had a chance to ask questions directly. If only one person is ready and the other isn't, that's something we can talk through as well.
How long does couples therapy usually take?
It depends on what you're working on and what you're hoping to get out of it. Some couples come in for a focused period of 8 to 12 sessions around a specific issue. Others work together over a longer period. There isn't a standard timeline, and I don't operate from a fixed structure. Length of treatment is something we discuss based on your goals and how the work is progressing.
Do you offer in-person couples therapy sessions?
Couples therapy is available via teletherapy for clients residing in California. In-person services are offered for psychological testing only. Teletherapy sessions take place via secure video and can be joined from anywhere in the state.
Taking the Next Step
If you've read this far, you're probably at least considering reaching out. That step is often the hardest one. If you're wondering whether couples therapy is the right fit, a complimentary 15-minute consultation is a low-pressure way to get a sense of how we might work together.