Therapy for Couples
This isn’t what you signed up for when you said, “I do.” You never thought it would be like this.
Here’s what your dealing with:
Feeling insecure and unsettled with each other, not sure if your partner is really trustworthy and has your back where you most need care and support.
Yelling and losing patience with each other and with your kids, in part because you both feel stressed out and alone in the relationship, and aren’t getting enough support from each other.
Spending more time alone than together, even if you’re in the same room. It’s not so much what is said, but what is regularly *not* said. The silence speaks volumes.
More chaos than togetherness. More rupture than repair. You find yourselves distrusting and at arms’ length with the person you once adored being around.
Your communication isn’t working. You try again and again to talk about what’s hard, but end up yelling and/or feeling further apart. You feel hopeless that talking about hard things could go any other way between you two.
You don’t get enough quality time with each other. You blame each other for the reasons for this, but neither of you is truly satisfied with the amount of closeness and memories being made together.
Repeating the same painful, dysfunctional patterns that you experienced when you were kids with your parents, or that played out with your exes.
The truth is…
The health of your relationship isn’t about the childhood you had, or whether your attachment style is avoidant, anxious, disorganized, or secure. It’s about what you create, it’s about the relationship you choose to build – one that fosters safety and security with one another – or not.
The best couples act in ways that help their partners to feel secure, regardless of their early life and past relationships.
Even the most difficult couples with the most painful histories can learn how to do this. You can, too.
Love is not enough. The most successful couples act in ways that build safety and security for their partner. They have a shared sense of purpose and vision for their relationship. They’re not just bumbling along, at the mercy of ever-changing difficulties and frustrations. They make agreements – and keep them. They know how to treat each other with care, even when they themselves are having a hard time.
It’s not your fault if you didn’t learn how to “do” intimate relationship. Most of us didn’t – not from our parents, not from our teachers, not from our friends, and not from Hollywood.
But the good news is, you can learn how to create a securely functioning relationship now, a relationship in which both you and your partner feel deeply safe, supported, loved – and free to thrive.
Imagine if you could…
Finally feel secure in the relationship.
Feel like you “come first” in one another’s life.
Enjoy each other’s company more often than you argue.
Collaborate and share power in a relationship that feels fair and balanced.
When you do have conflict, you make up quickly and genuinely.
Feel physically healthier because the fighting and stress of your relationship are no longer sapping your energy.
Communicate well and help each other through the stresses of parenting, work, and relationships.
Live with your biggest ally and best friend. Have a partner who knows you inside and out. You trust them to care for what matters most to you, and to have your back always.
Hi, I’m Marina…
I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist, Certified Nonviolent Communication (NVC) trainer, and practitioner of the cutting edge Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT).
I have found the PACT approach to be profoundly impactful on the couples I work with. While I have studied a number of modalities, it is PACT in particular that has made the most transformative impact. PACT integrates attachment theory, developmental neuroscience, and arousal regulation, and teaches you how to create a secure relationship regardless of your histories and attachment styles. PACT is known for its effectiveness with even the most difficult couples.
As a therapist, my style is warm, empathetic, and emotionally sensitive on the one hand… and brave, bold, and honest on the other. I believe couples deserve both to be emotionally attuned to and supported, and also challenged to meet their true potential.
I’m real, down-to-earth – and dare I say “funny” – about the uncensored truth of how hard intimate relationships can be, and passionate about empowering couples to live their best lives together. This life is too precious and short for anything else.
It’s easy to get started…
Step 01.
Schedule your free, 20-minute consultation.
Step 02.
We’ll chat via phone to see if we’re a good fit.
Step 03.
On the call, we’ll schedule your first session.
Session Rates
$160 | 50-minutes
Schedule a Consult →
Frequently Asked Questions
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I work with new moms, women, and couples of all walks of life — LGBTQIA, folks of color, and folks of other marginalized identities — and encourage you to bring your whole self to therapy.
As an ever-aspiring anti-racist practitioner, it’s essential to me to support my BIPOC clients in feeling seen, held and understood within the context of the unequal power, privilege, and oppression that shape our world. I aspire to support and create a safe space for my clients, and always welcome feedback as to how to ever-better see, respect, and support you in your wholeness and complexity.
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Individual sessions are 50 minutes for $135 or 75 minutes for $160.
Couples sessions are 50 minutes for $150 or 75 minutes for $190.
Some clients appreciate the extended sessions of 75 minutes either when they’re in a particularly tough place and could use more support or simply because the increased spaciousness allows their nervous systems to unwind and respond with more ease. Couples, in particular, often request longer sessions.
I have several sliding scale spots and offer them as they become available.
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No. I do not bill insurance companies directly, but I can provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for my services as an out-of-network provider.
It’s important to call and confirm with your insurance company in advance that they will reimburse you for my services. If they do, you will then pay me directly, submit the superbill I provide you to your insurance, and be reimbursed by your insurance company.
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Clients across Florida are welcome to meet with me via telehealth. We use Doxy, a user-friendly, HIPAA-compliant service similar to Zoom. This way, you can meet with me from the comfort of your own home, office, or even (parked) car - cars are great for privacy! - so long as I know where you are located.
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115 NE 7th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601I am currently meeting clients in person at this location on Mondays only. It’s a beautiful old Victorian across the street from the Thomas Center. You can park in the lot or on the street and go for a walk under the oak trees when you’re done.
Unfortunately, it is not handicap accessible.
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Monday through Friday between 10 am and 5 pm. I don't currently work evenings or weekends to balance work with family and raising a little one.
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To establish safety and trust between us and to develop momentum in our work, I like to meet with clients either weekly or every other week to start. This is what allows us to get to know each other, and you start to see and feel changes in your life.
After 4-8 weeks, some clients who are currently weekly will feel ready to move to biweekly. After working together for some time, some clients will choose to see me for "maintenance" on a less frequent basis.
The frequency of our work is something we discuss together, and we co-create a plan that works best for you.
You are always free to discontinue therapy for any reason.
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To support both of us in having predictability in our scheduling, I request 24 hours notice of cancellation and will offer the same at a minimum. I otherwise charge my full fee for the session missed.
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Developed by Dr. Stan Tatkin, PACT is a fusion of attachment theory, developmental neuroscience, and arousal regulation. PACT has a reputation for effectively treating the most challenging couples.
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In my work, I use IFS, a form of therapy predicated on the radical notions that we all contain a bunch of parts (at times contradicting and at each other’s throats), that this is totally okay rather than pathological, and that you can find clarity and help your more extreme and burdened parts out by accessing “Self” — your already-existing kind, calm, strong, wise essence.
IFS therapy empowers you to be your own best friend and ally and to hold yourself (and your many parts) with compassion and tenderness while making effective change.
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I also use NVC, a radically transformative communication practice for individuals, couples, and communities alike. Therapy with NVC gives you down-to-earth, practical help when you don’t know how the heck to respond to your stressed-out partner or how to initiate that scary conversation with a friend.
I’m a Certified NVC Trainer and can help you with communication tools and practices to empower you to be your most free, compassionate, and honest self when it counts.
You don’t have to choose anymore - you can be your whole self and be in love.
As a Marriage & Family Therapist, student of the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), and Certified Trainer in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), I teach you practical communication tools to help you dissolve the patterns of resentment and defensiveness and find your best friend again.
You deserve it. Your kids deserve it.
Life is too short to stay in the same rut forever. Reach out for a free 20-minute consultation and start taking steps toward the intimacy and trust that are truly possible for you and your partner.