Couples Counseling in Cleveland, Ohio
Real repair, real skills, real change so you can feel like partners again.
Not in Cleveland?
Cleveland Couples Are Strong And You Don't Have to Do This Alone
Cleveland has a way of teaching people to push through long Ohio winters, long workdays, and the constant grind of keeping everything afloat. But when work stress, kids, and house responsibilities pile up, the relationship often becomes the place where the pressure leaks out.
Communication breaks down, feelings get hurt, and the same issues replay without resolution. If you’re searching for couples counseling Cleveland couples benefit from, the most important thing to know is this: couples work is a specialty. Not every therapist has the training and experience to treat relationship dynamics, and the wrong fit can make therapy feel worse instead of better.
If you’re not sure whether online sessions are right for you, I offer a FREE 15-minute consultation so you can ask questions and decide without pressure. You can read about how online sessions help couples by tapping here.
I OFFER A FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION!
15 min • Free
Relationship Counseling in Cleveland That Starts With Assessment
Couples counseling is different than individual counseling because the relationship is what’s being treated. I complete a thorough assessment before I diagnose or treat the relationship.
I ask my couples for a minimum of four sessions: the first is to take a history of the relationship and talk about what’s bringing the couple into therapy. The second session I spend half the time with one partner then the other half with the other partner so I can hear what they have to say independent of the other.
In between the second and the third session, I have the couples complete the Gottman Relationship Checkup, which is an assessment that helps me gauge the couples relationship satisfaction in different parts of their lives. The third session includes the three of us discussing the results of my assessment and present a treatment plan for them to follow. We will discuss the appropriate tools to focus on to help the couple achieve their treatment goals.
The couple will practice using the tool outside of the session and the 4th session is a discussion of what it was like for each partner to use the tool. At that point, we decide how to best move forward in the treatment process.
I use ongoing assessments to measure progress towards the threatment goals. Therapy with me is not meant to be long, so we'll discharge you when you feel like your toolbox is full and your treatment goals have been reached.
This is the structure that makes couples therapy feel clear, measurable, and worth the investment.
Couples Therapy In Cleveland That’s Structured And Not a Blame Game
Sessions with me are neither bitch sessions nor do we play the blame game. If you want me to gang up on your partner with you, I’m not the right fit.
Instead, I use evidence-based strategies tailored to the couple's needs, which keeps sessions structured and focused, so Cleveland marriage counseling is about repair, not rehashing.
Communication Training helps you practice active listening, reflective speaking, and respectful self-expression so needs can be heard without defensiveness.
Conflict Resolution includes learning how to disagree, identifying triggers, and using time-outs to de-escalate before things turn damaging.
Gottman Method tools (Sound Relationship House) help you rebuild friendship, trust, and shared meaning.
Emotionally Focused Therapy targets negative attachment cycles (like pursuer/withdrawer) to rebuild emotional safety.
Behavioral interventions include practicing tools outside sessions like a State of the Union check-in and intentional quality time because change happens at home.
Common Reasons
Couples Seek Treatment
Therapy Just For You
We offer individual therapy to adults in your city for Ohioans who need support for anxiety, depression, ADHD, or bipolar disorder.
I also offer referrals to psychiatric support if you're looking for medication to help you manage your focus and mood.
Resolve Past Hurts
The same fights repeat because the core issue never gets repaired, so resentment builds and small triggers hit like big ones.
Improve Communication
Patterns like defensiveness, shutdown, criticism, or misfires in tone and timing keep partners from feeling heard and understood.
Individual Partner Support
You don’t have to wait to start healing.
Sometimes change starts with just one person. (And spoiler: it still counts.)
Discernment Decision
Discernment counseling helps couples clarify whether they want to repair the relationship, pursue separation, or make an intentional decision—without pressure, blame, or endless looping.
Preparing for Marriage
You plan for a lifetime.
Arm yourself with valuable tools for overcoming life’s obstacles as a team.
Virtual Couples Therapy Removes the “We Can’t Both Make It” Barrier
Virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for couples, and it’s often what makes consistency possible. I started my practice in 2018 and quickly realized that I could reach more Ohioans by offering virtual sessions. My practice has been 100% online session delivery since.
When a relationship is strained, it’s hard for two people to hit pause at the same time, especially while raising kids, working, running a household, paying bills, and carrying the emotional weight of what’s happening in the world. Many couples are stretched emotionally, financially, spiritually, so logistics become one more reason to delay help.
Online sessions remove a barrier so you can actually show up, practice the tools, and build momentum. If you’ve been looking for couples therapy around Cleveland but timing and commute keep getting in the way, this format makes progress more likely.
Meet Our Expert
Hi, I'm Terri! A GenX cisgender severe ADHD neurospicy suburban mom from Toledo, Ohio. My journey from an HR executive into mental health has gifted me with unique insights into the human psyche.
I've helped a lot of individuals and couples figure themselves out and live their best lives.
I'm also a board-certified licensed professional clinical counselor based in Ohio.
Beyond therapy, I'm a storyteller, avid traveler, and animal enthusiast, bringing diverse experiences into my sessions. This is a no pressure no blame no stress no judgment zone, so we laugh a lot.
Yes, I talk about politics too because it's a safe space. I hope to meet you soon!
My reviews
I randomly collect reviews after my sessions. It's part of how I measure the effectiveness of treatment.
This is the feedback I collected over the last 2 months.
Where my expertise comes from:
I've spent nearly
10K hours
face to face with couples over the last 10 years.
That’s the equivalent of spending five years meeting with couples on a full-time schedule.
I've treated over
900 individuals
for challenges with focus, anxiety, depression, and communication.
It's about four full years at 40 hours a week sitting with individuals helping navigate life's shit.
I've been in practice for
10 years
and my clients are all over Ohio. During COVID I served NY, MO, CA, and GA
Up until recently I've not done a lot of marketing. Word of mouth has kept me busy - I hope to be busier!
I spent
25 years
in Human Resource Management
I worked for Hudson's/Marshall Fields, The Weather Channel, weather.com, Zurich and served on global HR teams.
Your Insurance + My Electronic Patient Portal = Affordable and Easy!
I take insurance through a service called Headway. You enter your insurance information on my landing page (click the link!) and you'll be provided with an estimate of how much therapy will cost.
I provide you with a UserID and a password for my private practice patient portal where you can manage your session schedule, complete assessments, see your progress, and private message me directly.
Sessions are 60 minutes. I make it easy and affordable and make marriage counseling in Cleveland straightforward with no surprises.
When We Need to Pause Couples Work to Protect Progress
Couples therapy only works when both partners are in a place where they can participate and make progress.
Some barriers can block the work, including domestic abuse, active substance abuse, or obvious untreated mental health issues like depression or anxiety that are significantly interfering with stability, honesty, and follow-through.
If I identify a barrier that’s preventing meaningful progress, I will pause couples counseling and recommend an individual therapist for the partner who needs support, then we can revisit couples work when it’s safe and productive.
Couples therapy costs time, energy, and money, so I’m going to ask what you want that investment to create right now.
Less conflict?
More connection?
Better communication?
Rebuilding trust?
We’ll talk through the stages of change and focus on getting you into the “action” stage, because insight without follow-through doesn’t change patterns. The biggest shift happens when each partner is willing to take responsibility for their part, rather than waiting for the other person to change first.
This is relationship counseling Cleveland couples turn into momentum and progress.
Ready to Start? Schedule a Couples Intake
If you’re tired of repeating the same fight and ready for a structured path forward, schedule an intake session.
Couples counseling in Ceveland Ohio has never been more simple. See real progress in as little as four weeks.
Initial Intake Appointment
1 hr • $160
WHAT TO DO
Advice Blog
Initial Intake Appointment