Couples Counseling in Toledo, Ohio
Licensed, professional counselor for couples in Ohio (Toledo, Sylvania, Perrysburg, & more)
Not in Toledo?
When Toledo Life Gets Loud, Couples Start Misunderstanding Each Other
In Toledo, couples are often running on fumes, with work stress, raising kids, keeping the house moving, and trying to stay kind when everyone’s overloaded. That pressure can turn into communication breakdowns, hurt feelings, and issues that never really get resolved because there’s never time to slow down.
If you landed here after searching for couples counseling in Toledo Ohio, you’re definitely not looking for a lecture - you’re looking for a way back to each other. The most important factor in success is working with a therapist who is trained and experienced in couples work (not every therapist has that competence, and it truly can make or break the outcome).
If you’re unsure 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
A Clear, Structured Process That Treats the Relationship
Couples counseling is different than individual counseling because the relationship is what’s being treated. We won't jump right into who did what to whom; rather I complete a thorough assessment before I diagnose or treat the relationship.
To achieve this, 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 relationship satisfaction in different parts of their lives. The third session includes the three of us discussing the results of my assessment and I 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, so 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 treatment 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 I use for relationship counseling in Toledo Ohio so the work stays focused and measurable.
Evidence-Based Couples Therapy Means No Blame or Ganging Up
Sessions with me are neither bitch sessions nor do we play the blame game. If you want me to gang up on their 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. Here are some areas we address:
Communication training helps partners learn active listening, reflective speaking, and respectful self-expression to express needs without causing defensiveness.
Conflict resolution includes practicing how to disagree, identifying triggers, and learning when to take time-outs to de-escalate heated arguments.
I use the Gottman Sound Relationship House to explain concepts and tools.
Emotionally Focused Therapy helps identify and change negative attachment cycles (like pursuer-withdrawer) to rebuild emotional safety.
Behavioral interventions include practicing tools outside of sessions, like a State of the Union discussion or scheduling intentional quality time—because change happens at home.
If you’ve been looking for marriage counseling Toledo couples can benefit from this is designed to help you build skills, not just revisit pain.
This is what Toledo marriage counseling should feel like: structured, fair, and focused on the treatment goals.
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 Sessions Make It Possible for Two Busy People to Show Up
Virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for many couples. I started my practice in 2018 virtually because I recognized the need for easy access couples counseling all over Ohio.
In my experience, when couples are struggling, it's hard for two people to hit the pause button at the same time - especially if they’re raising kids, working outside the home, responsible for the home itself, paying the bills, and carrying the heavy emotional burden of what's happening in our country and in our world.
Lots of individuals are struggling emotionally, financially, spiritually, and the logistics of getting to an office can become one more barrier. Online sessions remove friction so you can be consistent, and consistency is what creates change. If you’re trying to find couples counseling in Toledo that actually fits real schedules, virtual care helps.
If you searched couples therapy in the Toledo area, this format is built for couples who need progress without adding more stress.
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 + A Simple Portal to Keep Everything Organized
I take insurance through a third-party 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 so there are no surprises.
I provide you with a UserID and a password for my private practice patient portal where you can manage their session schedule, complete assessments, see your progress, and private message me directly. Sessions are 60 minutes. I make it easy and affordable.
When Couples Counseling Needs a Pause to Protect Progress
Couples therapy only works when both partners are in a place where they can participate, regulate, and make progress, even if it’s imperfect progress.
Some barriers can block the work no matter how motivated you are, including domestic abuse, active substance abuse, or obvious untreated mental health issues like depression or anxiety that are significantly interfering with communication, stability, or follow-through.
If I identify a barrier that’s preventing meaningful progress, I will pause couples counseling and recommend individual therapy for the partner who needs support. Once that barrier is addressed and stability improves, we can revisit whether couples work is appropriate and productive again.
Couples therapy costs time, energy and money, so I’m going to ask what you want to get out of this investment right now.
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 is deciding whether you’re ready to take responsibility for yourself - such as your tone, your reactivity, your follow-through - instead of waiting for the other partner to change first.
That’s where momentum starts.
Ready to Start? Schedule a Couples Intake
If you’re ready to stop repeating the same fight and start building new skills together, schedule an intake session.
You’ve been searching marriage counseling in Toledo Ohio; the next step is simple: get on the calendar and let’s build a plan you can actually use!
Initial Intake Appointment
1 hr • $160
WHAT TO DO
Advice Blog
Initial Intake Appointment