Online Marriage Counseling & Therapy for California Residents

Do you want to improve the communication and connection in your marriage from home?

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Online marriage counseling teaches techniques that promote increased awareness, understanding, self-esteem and empowerment within your marriage

Does it feel like your marriage experiences the same struggles over and over again? Is there something specific that you and/or your spouse are currently worried about with regards to your marriage? Does this worry create concern around the future of your marriage… or potential divorce? Perhaps your marriage went through something recently and you would like to address it before it’s too hard to come back; or even divorce. Maybe there isn’t even anything in particular that is “interfering in your marriage”, but you feel that it would just be helpful to talk to a professional before things get too off track. And has having to travel in order to address it delayed seeking out help?

Marriage is hard and it takes work

Not only do you have to navigate growing as individuals, but do so in a way where you grow together as well. Even when a marriage doesn’t have the added strain of a pandemic, there can still be difficulties with finances, kids, family, career, and so much more. Not only are these struggles normal, but studies show that marriages and couples wait an average of six years with these struggles before reaching out. By this time, couples can feel their most hopeless and even feel like they are on the verge of separation. But there’s hope! You don’t need to endure anymore, and you are not alone. If your marriage is struggling, I would love to help. And the best part? You don’t even have to leave home…

Why Do Most Couples Seek Online Marriage Counseling Services?

Seeing an Online Marriage Counselor Can Help!

Virtual marriage counseling and therapy teaches self-soothing and communication techniques that promote healthy problem-solving, open-communication, emotional awareness, and other aspects that are conducive to a fulfilling and successful marriage. And I will be there every step of the way. I will listen and support both of you as you develop productive systems, and grow as individuals and a team!

In online marriage therapy, you both will learn how to:

What Are the Benefits of Doing Marriage Counseling Online?

Virtual marriage counseling can provide the same therapeutic benefits that you would get in-person, but in the comfort of your own home! Imagine improving/learning new coping skills and self-soothing techniques, better understanding both your and your partner’s needs and emotional experience, and improving emotional awareness and communication in your relationship; but without having to drive somewhere and find parking. You can even do all of the above in your jammie jams if you so choose! With online marriage therapy, traffic, getting ready, and other time management stressors, is either dramatically simplified or eliminated altogether. Discussing emotions can be hard, and discussing wounding and conflict in a relationship can be even harder, so why add any other difficulties when you can be in a place where you already feel comfortable. Finally, online marriage therapy allows you to broaden your search for the perfect marriage therapist to the entire state! Since I am licensed in California, online therapy allows me to see anyone, anywhere in California!

Why Book an Online Marriage Therapy Session with Me?

In addition to my specific training as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), I also have years of experience in the field working specifically with just that… marriages and families. I have worked with marriage and relationships throughout my career in a variety of circumstances and treatment settings including school, community-based mental health care, private practice, and yes… online. I have successfully helped many couples (including marriages) facing numerous hardships, complications and life changes through improving emotional awareness, individual self-worth, and communication. Additionally, if you are an individual seeking marriage counseling online, I have lots of experience working with that as well, and I would love to provide any support I can!

I love marriage work. Working on a marriage is working on a relationship that wants to be together forever. A commitment such as that deserves every ounce of support, and I believe my positive therapy approach is built for establishing the strong foundations, friendship, intimacy, and trust that your marriage deserves. I truly enjoy making it easier for couples to communicate and support one another, so they may grow together. I find it is often more easily accomplished than the couple initially thinks! With my combined knowledge, passion and experience, I will provide you with the skills and guidance that could help you both feel empowered and confident to use them on your own as you continue your life… together.

Are you ready to improve your marriage?

Contact me today to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation and see if online marriage counseling is right for you!

MY STANDARD RATE IS $200 PER SESSION (50 MINUTES)
Prefer a longer session time? Just ask for details!

I do not accept insurance but I do offer Superbills that can be presented to insurance companies for reimbursement. Learn more about my rates and insurance.

Here are some typical questions regarding online marriage counseling and therapy

Is online marriage counseling effective?

Although this answer largely depends on the skill of the therapist and the specific factors associated with the marriage/couple in question, traditional marriage counseling – as it is done today – has a success rate of 70% to 80% after the introduction of evidence-based practices like Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman Therapy, or PACT. However, as I mentioned before, couples both have to work to make meaningful change, it takes time, and it really helps to have a marriage therapist you trust and connect with.

What does an online marriage therapist do?

An online licensed marriage and family therapist meets with you via telephone call or video call in order to teach specific tools and techniques that help partners improve emotional awareness, communication, conflict-resolution, and many other skills that are highly conducive to a successful marriage. Additionally, an online marriage therapist provides the safety and space for couples to discuss their respective expectations around marriage; which increases the understanding and clarity that is so important to marital satisfaction.

What are the most common causes of divorce?

Although divorce can occur for various reasons, and largely depend on specific circumstances within a particular marriage, the most commonly reported reasons for divorce are typically:

Infidelity
Money
Lack of communication
Perpetual conflict
Change in physical appearance or weight
Unrealistic expectations
Lack of intimacy
Lack of equality

How long does it take for online marriage therapy to work?

Online marriage therapy can take time to start showing that it’s “working” or can feel that way immediately. Talking through a screen can throw people off, or it can make things feel more safe. In my experience, it depends on how much needs to be addressed. Areas/topics that get addressed earlier will often yield results sooner than areas, but can provide a feeling of progress as different areas begin to improve. However, other times there is an overarching theme that impacts essentially every facet of the marriage; and once it is addressed, can result in multiple areas of the marriage improving all at once. In short, seeing an online marriage therapist can take anywhere from a couple of sessions to however long you want/need it to be.

What is the difference between marriage counseling and couples therapy?

Technically, a “counselor” focuses on today’s issues and provides suggestions and techniques for that specific issue; whereas “therapists” focus on past struggles – in marriage, or personally for one or both spouses – to increase understanding around why we relate to others in the ways that we do. However, these terms are typically used more generally as synonyms for each other. Truth is, my style as a marriage and family therapist emcompasses both; as I have found that marital struggles are most often a combination of historically developed patterns and current problematic systems.

What Can I Expect from Online Marriage Therapy?

An online marriage therapist can help you and your spouse discover and express what is most important in your marriage, so that you can both get what you want and need. While situated comfortably at home, online marriage counseling sessions teach effective techniques that promote clear and considerate communication, while avoiding so many of the unnecessary miscommunications that disrupt intimacy and friendship in marriages. Additionally, an online marriage counselor teaches calming and solution-focused techniques, so that your marriage can better maintain these productive patterns for the rest of your lives together. Each session, my intention is to be a real person on the other side of the screen that cares about you, and creates a safe space for you and your spouse to share all of your current thoughts, concerns, and struggles. Together, we will identify and set goals by determining what you both want for your relationship, marriage, and yourselves; as individuals. Once we have a clear idea of where your marriage is – as well as where you want it to be – I will tailor treatment to what is most needed for you and your marriage; based on your respective Love Languages, Enneagram Tritype, and more. By establishing patterns that are both productive and authentic, we can further ensure lasting and positive change; even well after you have stopped seeing me. Whatever is learned during the session will be practiced between sessions as well, so that we can continue to refine the approach as we get to know each other better. I utilize various techniques that promote increased awareness, understanding, self-esteem and empowerment within marriages. One technique that I am specifically trained in that is geared toward the treatment of couples is the Gottman Method, which includes specific assessments and techniques to be used both inside and outside of session; some of which are specific to marriage counseling. I am also currently working towards certification for Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for the treatment of couples and marriages; so that I may be of even better assistance to you both on your journey.

Methods I Use in Online Marriage Counseling

Gottman Method

The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that assesses various areas of your marriage and integrates research-based interventions to help couples overcome obstacles and achieve greater understanding, connection, and intimacy in their marriage. In our sessions together, I will use various techniques from the Gottman Method to assess which areas could use the most support and provide techniques that best fit the obstacle(s) at hand. For more information about the Gottman Method for the treatment of married couples, visit the website for the Gottman Method Institute.

Emotionally Focused Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a structured approach to couples therapy developed by Drs. Sue Johnson and Les Greenberg in the 1980s. It is grounded in research while focusing on negative communication patterns and love as an attachment bond. In our sessions together, I will use evidence-based techniques of EFT to improve how you communicate in your marriage, and the love that bonded you in the first place. For more information about EFT for the treatment of married couples, visit the ICEEFT website.

Enneagram

The Enneagram is a personality assessment tool that is extremely useful in improving personal self-knowledge and personality development, offering a powerful tool for self-mastery, conflict resolution, team dynamics, leadership and emotional intelligence. I have been certified in the Enneagram, Enneagram Tritype, and Instinctual Types and Subtypes by Katherine Chernick Fauvre, the creator of Enneagram Tritype; who also just so happens to be my mother. Having grown up around this unique form of personality diagnostics I have applied and studied the Enneagram throughout my personal and professional life, and I am very passionate about using its power to help couples. I am not only able to help you and your spouse better understand each other’s motivations and communication styles, but also provide a better understanding of the very important characteristics that make you YOU. For more information about Katherine Chernick Fauvre, the Enneagram, Enneagram Tritype, and/or Instinctual Types and Subtypes, click the corresponding link(s).

Online Marriage Counseling for California Residents

If you’re ready to build a stronger marriage and learn more about my online marriage counseling and therapy services, please use the button above or call (858) 634-0502 for a free 15 minute phone consultation.

Spencer Chernick, LMFT
ADHD, Teen & Couples Therapy
5330 Carroll Canyon Rd Suite 120,
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 634-0502

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