Couples and Marriage Counseling

You are hurting.

You’ve tried counseling before, but it didn’t bring the change you hoped for. Now, you’re searching online, looking for someone who can truly help you rebuild your relationship.

You agree on one thing - something has to change.

Maybe you wouldn’t still be together if it weren’t for the kids. The same fights happen over and over again. Or maybe you both gave up arguing long ago, and now, things just feel stale. You’re simply roommates, going through the motions, waiting for the kids to graduate.

This is where I come in.

My approach to therapy may be different from what you’ve tried before.

I believe in joining with my clients through the truth. My approach is straightforward, transparent, and honest. I will help you and your partner confront the challenges and difficult truths in your relationship. I will always be upfront about where I feel your relationship stands.

I believe it is disrespectful to not be honest about the patterns I see in your relationship. I will not be a passive observer, nor will I allow you to avoid confronting your own role in the decisions you make.

This is not about “harsh truth” or “tough love.” This is about using data-driven research on how relationships work to help you and your partner take accountability. My training and experience will help you see where you may be unintentionally self-centered, unfeeling, or counterproductive—and I will guide you in recognizing and correcting those behaviors.

You Want Real Change—That’s Why You’re Here.

I promise to be direct and honest about what is holding you back from having the relationship you want. I will help you become more intentional in the way you approach your challenges.

I am confident that I can give you the tools to improve and strengthen your relationship because I have spent years training, researching, learning, and practicing these skills.

Using multiple evidence-based approaches allows me to provide highly specialized interventions for every couple I work with. Some couples want skills to manage conflict, while others want to build deeper emotional connection. Not only will I give you those skills, but I will also help you work through the parts of yourself that resist using them.

My Training in Couples Therapy

Gottman Method Couples Therapy

The Gottman Method is my primary foundation for couples therapy. This research-based approach is built on 50+ years of clinical research on what makes relationships succeed or fail. It provides clear, practical tools to help couples improve communication, strengthen emotional connection, and resolve conflict in a way that brings them closer together.

I am the only Gottman Leader in North Dakota, offering:
✔ The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work program
✔ Bringing Baby Home program
✔ All three levels of Gottman Clinical Training

I also offer the Gottman Relationship Checkup, a 480-question assessment that evaluates key relationship areas like friendship, intimacy, emotions, conflict, values, and trust. This tool is beneficial for both premarital couples and long-term partners who feel stuck.

The Gottman Method Helps Couples:
✅ Increase respect, affection, and closeness
✅ Break through and resolve conflict when they feel stuck
✅ Generate greater understanding between partners
✅ Keep conflict discussions calm and productive

Relational Life Therapy (RLT)

I am also trained in Relational Life Therapy (RLT), a powerful and direct approach to couples therapy developed by Terry Real.

RLT goes beyond traditional therapy—it gets to the root of relational struggles quickly and helps couples create deep, lasting change. Unlike some approaches that focus solely on communication skills, RLT dives into how each partner’s behaviors are contributing to the relationship dynamic.

The objectives of Relational Life Therapy include:

• Helping individuals recognize and shift negative relational behaviors

• Encouraging radical honesty and deeper emotional connection

• Holding both partners accountable for their role in relationship struggles

• Teaching effective communication and conflict resolution

• Moving past cycles of blame and resentment

This method is especially effective for couples who feel disconnected, stuck in repeated conflicts, or uncertain about their future together. RLT works because it pushes couples to take responsibility for their actions while learning how to reconnect on a meaningful level.

Reasons Couples Seek Marriage Counseling

I work with all couples—at any relationship stage, in any status. Whether you’re dating, engaged, married, or considering separation, I bring expertise and training unique to the Fargo area.

I work with couples facing a variety of challenges, including:

• Pre-Marital Counseling

• Relationship Conflict

• Contemplating Divorce / Discernment Counseling

• Controlled Separation

• Transition to Parenthood

• Co-Parenting

• Emotional and Relational Intelligence

• Life Transitions

• Infidelities/Affairs

• Intimacy Issues

• Secret Keeping

• Couples Intensive Counseling

Let’s Work together

If you are looking for real change, I can help. My training in multiple relationship counseling models allows me to create a customized approach that works best for you and your partner.

If you're ready to take the next step, I invite you to complete my counseling inquiry form, where you’ll find my availability. You can also learn more about me and my approach on my About page. Many common questions, including service fees, are answered on my FAQ page. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out—I’m happy to help!

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