Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling in San Diego
Relationships naturally evolve. Many couples encounter periods where communication becomes strained, conflicts repeat, or emotional distance begins to grow.
Couples therapy and marriage counseling provide a structured environment where partners can explore these patterns with the guidance of a licensed psychologist. Through thoughtful conversation and evidence-based therapeutic approaches, couples can develop new ways of understanding each other, strengthen communication, and move toward a more supportive relationship.
At SD Psychology, couples work with experienced clinical psychologists who help partners identify underlying dynamics, navigate challenges, and build healthier ways of relating.
Couples Therapy Available in San Diego
SD Psychology offers couples therapy in multiple formats so partners can choose the setting that best supports their schedules and comfort.
La Jolla Office
Couples can meet with a licensed psychologist at our La Jolla office, providing a calm and private environment for in-person therapy sessions.
Encinitas Office
Our Encinitas office offers another convenient location for couples seeking in-person marriage counseling in North County San Diego.
Virtual Couples Therapy
For couples who prefer flexibility, virtual therapy sessions are available throughout California. Online sessions allow partners to connect with a psychologist from home while still engaging in thoughtful and structured therapy.
This range of options allows couples to begin therapy in the format that feels most accessible and comfortable.
Understanding Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling
Couples therapy focuses on helping partners explore how they interact with each other and how certain patterns may be affecting the relationship.
Over time, couples may find themselves repeating the same conversations or misunderstandings. Therapy provides an opportunity to slow these interactions down and look more closely at what is happening beneath the surface.
In couples therapy, partners often work on:
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Improving communication and listening skills
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Understanding emotional reactions during conflict
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Identifying recurring relational patterns
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Rebuilding trust after difficult experiences
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Strengthening emotional connection
Rather than assigning blame, therapy focuses on developing insight into the relationship dynamic so that both partners can move forward with greater clarity and understanding.
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Signs Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling May Be Helpful
Many couples seek therapy when they notice patterns that feel difficult to resolve on their own.
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Some common reasons couples pursue marriage counseling include:
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Frequent or unresolved conflict
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Communication breakdowns
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Feeling emotionally disconnected
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Navigating major life transitions
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Rebuilding trust after betrayal
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Differences around parenting, finances, or long-term goals
Couples therapy can also be valuable even when problems feel less defined. Some partners simply want to deepen their understanding of each other and strengthen the relationship.
How Couples Therapy Helps Partners Develop New Patterns
Therapy sessions create a space where both partners can express their experiences openly while a psychologist helps guide the conversation in a constructive direction. Through this process, couples often begin to:
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Identify emotional triggers that lead to conflict
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develop more effective communication strategies
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understand each partner’s needs and perspectives
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strengthen emotional awareness within the relationship
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build more supportive ways of responding to one another
Over time, couples may find that therapy helps them approach disagreements with greater patience and understanding while reinforcing the strengths already present in their relationship.
Licensed Psychologists Supporting Couples Therapy
Couples therapy at SD Psychology is provided by licensed clinical psychologists who specialize in relationship dynamics, emotional insight, and thoughtful psychotherapy.
Each therapist brings a different clinical background while sharing a common focus on helping partners better understand their communication patterns, emotional responses, and relational needs.
Dr. Stamatis Dardaglis
Licensed Clinical Psychologist | Founder
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Dr. Dardagani is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of SD Psychology. In couples therapy, she helps partners examine recurring interaction patterns, understand emotional responses during conflict, and develop healthier communication strategies. Her approach emphasizes reflection, psychological insight, and thoughtful dialogue.
Dr. Ivy Kernigher
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
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Dr. Keatinger is a licensed psychologist who works with adults navigating relationship challenges, emotional stress, and life transitions. In couples therapy, she helps partners explore how past experiences, communication styles, and emotional patterns influence their current relationship.
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Her approach encourages curiosity, reflection, and a deeper understanding of each partner’s perspective.
Dr. Cindy Adamson
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
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Dr. Abramson is a licensed clinical psychologist with experience supporting individuals and couples through complex emotional and relational concerns. Her work often focuses on helping couples identify the underlying dynamics that shape their interactions.
In therapy, she helps partners develop greater awareness of their relational patterns while working toward more supportive and collaborative ways of relating.
Dr. Diana Gonzalez Cano
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
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Dr. Gonzalez-Cano works with adults and couples seeking greater emotional clarity and connection in their relationships. Her therapeutic style emphasizes thoughtful exploration of communication patterns, emotional responses, and interpersonal dynamics.
Couples working with her often focus on strengthening emotional understanding while developing healthier ways of navigating challenges together.
Therapy Approaches Used in Couples Counseling
Couples therapy may incorporate several evidence-based approaches depending on the needs of the relationship.
Therapists may draw from approaches such as:
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Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
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Attachment-based therapy
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Communication and conflict-resolution frameworks
These approaches help couples better understand emotional responses, strengthen empathy between partners, and build more stable relationship patterns.
Begin Couples Therapy at SD Psychology
Starting couples therapy can provide space to better understand the patterns that shape your relationship. With the support of a licensed psychologist, partners can explore challenges, improve communication, and develop healthier ways of relating.
SD Psychology offers couples therapy and marriage counseling at our La Jolla and Encinitas offices, as well as virtual sessions available across California.
If you would like to learn more or schedule an appointment, you can contact SD Psychology to speak with our team.