Heart-Centered Therapy in Reno, Nevada for Couples and Individuals

In-person and Virtual Therapy

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“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”
— Brenee Brown

Couples Therapy

Find Deeper Connection and Healing

Many of us grow up believing love should be easy - that finding "the right person" means smooth sailing forever. Real relationships don't work that way. The deepest connections come not from perfect compatibility, but from learning to love well together.

Here in Reno, NV, I help couples understand how their emotional blueprints - formed in childhood - shape their relationships today. Some of us naturally seek closeness while others need more space. These differences often cause pain not because we're with the wrong partner, but because we haven't yet learned to bridge our emotional styles.

Attachment-based therapy creates a safe space to understand and shift these patterns. Instead of repeating old arguments, you'll discover how to build security, communicate needs clearly, and turn conflicts into opportunities for intimacy. The result isn't a perfect relationship - it's a real one, where both partners feel truly seen and valued.

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Relational Life Therapy (RLT): Healing Power Imbalances

Developed by renowned therapist Terry Real, Relational Life Therapy (RLT) focuses on addressing power imbalances, unhealthy communication habits, and childhood wounds that impact adult relationships. RLT is particularly effective for couples where one or both partners struggle with:

  • Defensiveness or criticism

  • Controlling behaviors

  • Emotional withdrawal

  • Resentment from unmet needs

RLT helps individuals take accountability for their actions while teaching them to communicate with honesty and vulnerability. A key principle of RLT is moving away from "right fighting" (needing to win arguments) and toward relational competence—learning how to engage in conflict in a way that strengthens, rather than damages, the relationship.

In our sessions, I’ll help you and your partner recognize how past experiences shape your current interactions and guide you in developing new, healthier relational habits.

How does Relational Life Therapy (RLT) work?

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Rebuilding Secure Attachment

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, is a highly effective, research-backed approach that helps couples create deeper emotional bonds. EFT is based on attachment theory, which recognizes that humans are wired for connection—when that connection feels threatened, we often react with fear, anger, or withdrawal.

Couples in distress typically fall into negative cycles, such as:

  • Pursuit-Withdrawal (one partner pushes for closeness while the other pulls away)

  • Criticism-Defensiveness (blame leads to shutdown or counterattacks)

  • Avoidance-Avoidance (both partners disconnect emotionally)

Through EFT, I help couples identify these cycles, express their underlying emotions (such as fear of abandonment or feelings of inadequacy), and rebuild trust and security. The goal is to shift from reacting out of fear to responding with love, creating a relationship where both partners feel valued, understood, and emotionally safe.

What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)?

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Relationship counseling helps couples improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen emotional connection. Using evidence-based approaches like Relational Life Therapy (RLT) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), we'll work to identify negative patterns and build healthier ways of relating. Whether you're facing communication breakdowns, trust issues, or emotional distance, therapy provides practical tools for creating a more fulfilling partnership.

  • Consider therapy if you're experiencing:
    • Constant arguments that never get resolved
    • Emotional distance or lack of intimacy
    • Trust breaches like infidelity or secrecy
    • Criticism, defensiveness or contempt in conversations
    • Feeling more like roommates than romantic partners
    Therapy can help at any stage - don't wait until problems feel overwhelming.

  • • RLT (developed by Terry Real) focuses directly on power imbalances and accountability. As your therapist, I'll actively challenge disrespectful behaviors and help you develop relational competence.
    • EFT (developed by Sue Johnson) works through attachment needs, helping couples break negative cycles by fostering emotional safety and vulnerability.
    I expertly blend these approaches based on your unique relationship dynamics.

  • Most couples see meaningful progress in 6-12 sessions, though some complex issues may require longer-term work. Brief, focused interventions can create significant change when both partners are engaged. We'll establish clear goals and regularly assess your progress together.

  • Absolutely. Intimacy challenges often stem from emotional disconnection, stress, or unaddressed relationship dynamics. In a safe, non-judgmental space, we'll explore the roots of your intimacy issues while providing practical tools to rebuild physical and emotional closeness. Many couples emerge with a more satisfying intimate connection.

  • We'll address how these concerns impact your relationship while coordinating with individual therapists as needed. Mental health challenges often affect partnerships, and vice versa. Our work will focus on building understanding, adjusting communication patterns, and creating mutual support strategies.

  • My approach varies by method:
    • In EFT, I remain neutral to help both partners express vulnerable emotions
    • In RLT, I will directly name and challenge unhealthy behaviors when I see them - not to blame, but to advocate for fairness in your relationship
    In all cases, my loyalty is to your relationship's health, not to either individual's "side".

  • I typically recommend weekly 55-minute sessions initially to build momentum. As you make progress, we may shift to biweekly. Consistency is crucial - think of it like physical therapy for your relationship. We'll adjust frequency based on your needs and progress.

  • Conflict in sessions is actually valuable material for our work! As your therapist, I'll help you:
    • Slow down heated exchanges
    • Identify the emotions beneath the anger
    • Practice new communication tools in real-time
    • Understand your conflict cycle
    Some of the most productive breakthroughs happen when tensions surface in session.

  • Yes, when appropriate. Research shows couples make faster progress when applying skills between sessions. Homework might include:
    • Structured communication exercises
    • Reading relevant relationship materials
    • Practicing new conflict resolution techniques
    • Mindfulness or connection-building activities
    These are always tailored to your specific goals and comfort level.

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How Counseling Can Help Your Relationship

Whether through RLT’s focus on relational accountability or EFT’s emphasis on emotional bonding, my approach is designed to help couples:

✔ Improve communication – Replace criticism and blame with empathy and understanding.

✔ Break negative cycles – Identify and change patterns that keep you stuck in conflict.

✔ Deepen emotional intimacy – Reconnect on a vulnerable, authentic level.

✔ Heal from past hurts – Address betrayals, resentments, or unmet needs with compassion.

✔ Strengthen commitment – Build a partnership based on mutual respect and love.

If you and your partner are ready to transform your relationship, I invite you to reach out. Together, we can create a path toward healing, connection, and lasting love.

Let’s take the first step—contact me today to schedule a session.

Individual Counseling

Counseling is A Safe Space for Healing and Growth

Life can feel overwhelming at times. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, past trauma, a relationship, or simply feeling stuck, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Individual counseling offers a safe, supportive space where you can explore your emotions, gain clarity, and develop the tools to move forward with greater confidence and resilience.

Guidance and Support

Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, which is why I tailor our sessions to your unique needs. Some days, you might need to process difficult emotions. Other times, we may focus on building coping strategies or shifting unhelpful thought patterns. No matter where you are in your journey, my role is to guide and support you—not to dictate the "right" way forward.

You might come to therapy with a specific concern, such as:

  • Anxiety or excessive worry

  • Depression or low motivation

  • Grief and loss

  • Trauma or past experiences that still affect you

  • Life transitions (career changes, relationships, identity shifts)

  • Self-esteem or self-criticism

  • Stress management and burnout

Or perhaps you’re not entirely sure why you feel the way you do—you just know something is off. That’s okay, too. Together, we’ll explore what’s beneath the surface and work toward clarity and relief.

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Therapy isn’t just about talking through problems; it’s about creating real, lasting change. Through our sessions, you may:

  • Gain insight into patterns that keep you feeling stuck

  • Develop healthier coping strategies for stress and emotional pain

  • Improve relationships by understanding your needs and boundaries

  • Process past experiences that still weigh on you

  • Build self-compassion and quiet your inner critic

  • Rediscover a sense of purpose or direction

This is your journey, and we’ll move at a pace that feels right for you. Some clients find relief in just a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. Wherever you are, I’m there to help you navigate the process.

How One-on-One Therapy Can Help

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Taking the Next Towards Inner Peace

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, but it’s often the first step toward a more balanced, healthy, and awakened life. If you’re curious about whether we might be a good fit, I invite you to reach out for your first session.

Contact me to schedule your first in-person or virtual therapy session or ask any questions.