Online Couples
Therapy in Iowa
& Washington
Couples therapy gives you a neutral space where both sides of the relationship can be explored, with expert guidance every step of the way. I utilize DBT principles to help couples manage tough communication patterns, emotional dysregulation, and more.
Let’s balance acceptance and change, together.
I offer couples counseling for partners who feel stuck in painful communication patterns, frequent conflict, or cycles of disconnection that leave both people feeling misunderstood. Using a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)-informed approach, we work to slow these interactions down, better understand the emotions underneath them, and build skills that support more effective communication, validation, and connection.
Couples therapy is not about determining who is “right” or assigning blame. Instead, we focus on helping both partners recognize patterns that keep conflict going and learn new ways of responding to one another with greater awareness, compassion, and emotional balance. My goal is to create a space where both people feel heard and supported while working toward a more stable and connected relationship.
What can I help with?
When I’m working with couples, I’m focused on addressing both sides of the relationship with compassion and understanding. I can work with you on a variety of focus areas, including but not limited to…
· Trust Issues
· Recurring Arguments
· Intimacy
· Life Transitions
· Disconnection
· Communication Breakdowns
Frequently Asked Questions
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a skills-based approach that helps you learn how to navigate intense emotions, cope with stress, and improve relationships. It focuses on building practical tools in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT is especially helpful if you often feel overwhelmed by your emotions or stuck in patterns that are hard to change. The goal isn’t to “get rid” of emotions, but to help you feel more in control of them and more confident in how you respond to life’s challenges.
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan. Research shows that DBT is most effective when all components of treatment work together. My comprehensive DBT program includes individual therapy, skills training, between-session coaching, and a therapist consultation team composed of intensively trained DBT clinicians who have received training through Linehan's team.
Through individual therapy and skills training, you'll learn practical strategies for managing emotions, improving relationships, and navigating life's challenges more effectively. Between-session coaching provides support when difficult situations arise, helping you apply DBT skills in real time rather than waiting until your next appointment. This level of support can be especially beneficial for individuals who struggle with intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or recurring crises.
Comprehensive DBT is one of the most extensively researched behavioral treatments available. Research has shown that DBT can reduce suicidal behaviors, self-harm, and other high-risk behaviors while improving emotion regulation, relationships, daily functioning, and overall quality of life.
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy that helps your brain process and heal from difficult or overwhelming experiences. Sometimes, past events can feel “stuck,” continuing to affect how you think, feel, and respond in the present.
EMDR uses a structured approach—often involving gentle, guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation—to help your brain reprocess those experiences so they feel less intense and more resolved. Many people find that memories become less distressing, and they’re able to move forward with a greater sense of ease.
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Couples counseling from a DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) perspective may be a good fit if you and your partner want to improve communication, manage conflict more effectively, and build a stronger emotional connection. DBT-informed couples work focuses on balancing acceptance and change—helping partners understand each other more deeply while also developing practical skills to create healthier patterns. This approach may be helpful if you and your partner want concrete tools and skills rather than only talking about problems.
In our work together, you'll learn skills related to mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, effective communication, and relationship effectiveness. Sessions provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space to better understand one another, address challenges, and create meaningful change.
Couples counseling may not be appropriate when there is ongoing domestic violence, coercive control, or situations where one partner does not feel emotionally or physically safe. In those cases, individual support and safety planning may be the more appropriate first step.
If you're unsure whether DBT-informed couples counseling is the right fit, I welcome a consultation to discuss your goals, concerns, and what you're hoping to achieve in therapy. Together, we can determine the best path forward.
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At my core, I'm a behavioral therapist. If you're looking to change patterns in your behaviors, thoughts, or emotions, we'll work together to identify what's getting in the way and develop practical strategies for change. I often ask clients to track patterns and practice skills between sessions because meaningful change happens both inside and outside the therapy room.
My style is active, collaborative, and genuine. I'll challenge you when needed, support you along the way, and celebrate your progress. I value authenticity and bring that into every session, creating a space where you can be honest, vulnerable, and focused on growth.
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I am a private pay/out-of-network provider. I do not take insurance, but am happy to provide the documentation you need to submit out-of-network (OON) claims. If costs are an issue for you, please ask about my sliding scale rates when you reach out.
Couples Session - $200
Individual Session - $185
Group Session (Iowa Only) - $50 per session