Therapy for Couples
Relationships take a shit ton of work - if only love were enough.
You want closeness more than anything, yet it seems so far away.
It’s the same fight, again and again, in a different room, a different time of day, but highlighting the same mistrust, the same push-and-pull, argue-and-withdraw, trying to win more than winning together.
It only takes a word, a tone, a look – and you’re back in it, whether it’s the angry words or the quiet between you that could kill. If you have kids, you are so ashamed that they have to see this, that they don’t have a better model, yet you’re too in it to stop.
It’s been years since you felt that warm, undefended glow, wanting to spend every moment together. Perhaps it’s been years since you’ve been intimate, and you fantasize about being with someone else.
You don’t understand: “How did the person I adored the most become my enemy? Where did my best friend go?”
What if you could find each other again and dissolve the patterns of resentment and defensiveness…
Transform patterns of attack and blame into honest and vulnerable exchanges, confidently advocating for your needs.
Reignite mutual trust and care to strengthen your bond and reestablish your significance in each other's lives.
Become a reliable ally for yourself and your partner, navigating conversations calmly and providing support where needed most.
How I can help…
Hi, I’m Marina! I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist. I offer skills-based therapy for couples to help you return to the love, honesty, and vulnerability that drew you together.
My approach includes:
✦ Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
✦ Internal Family Systems (IFS)
✦ Mindfulness-based therapy
Stop crossing your fingers and hoping for your partner to change. Become the kind, compassionate, direct, and empowered partner you want to be today, and help your partner become the person they want to be for you in the process. You don’t have to wait — another day, another year — for the stars to fall in place.
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.
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.
I have several sliding scale spots and offer them as they become available.
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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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 both a Marriage & Family Therapist 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 — and too precious — 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.