Couples Counseling Therapists in Downtown, Charlottesville, VA
Susan Dendtler
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, -MHSP
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
I love working with couples. Maybe you are couple who deeply love each other but just can't stop fighting, a couple who is trying to decide if staying together still makes sense, or maybe you have a specific issue to address, I welcome you. I use a couples counseling model based on attachment science called Emotionally Focused Therapy. In EFT we believe that when we have a safe and secure attachment base, in this case with our partner, we are empowered to live more fully into a true self that is able to take risks, explore our world, and respond with resilience to the ups and downs of life.
I love working with couples. Maybe you are couple who deeply love each other but just can't stop fighting, a couple who is trying to decide if staying together still makes sense, or maybe you have a specific issue to address, I welcome you. I use a couples counseling model based on attachment science called Emotionally Focused Therapy. In EFT we believe that when we have a safe and secure attachment base, in this case with our partner, we are empowered to live more fully into a true self that is able to take risks, explore our world, and respond with resilience to the ups and downs of life.
Jeff Jennings
Psychologist, PhD, LCP
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Many high-performers know they are capable of achieving more but feel stuck at times. Do you feel that despite having a lot of things together, something is missing that is holding you back? The clients I work with have typically achieved success in many aspects of life, but they struggle in others. When facing challenges that seem insurmountable, we all can benefit from expert guidance and counseling. As a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of education and experience, I empower high-achieving professionals, athletes, and couples to reach their goals and create the changes in life they most desire.
Many high-performers know they are capable of achieving more but feel stuck at times. Do you feel that despite having a lot of things together, something is missing that is holding you back? The clients I work with have typically achieved success in many aspects of life, but they struggle in others. When facing challenges that seem insurmountable, we all can benefit from expert guidance and counseling. As a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of education and experience, I empower high-achieving professionals, athletes, and couples to reach their goals and create the changes in life they most desire.
The Downtown Counseling Center
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW
Verified Verified
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Our therapy model is first and foremost relationship-based.
The Downtown Counseling Center exists to provide professional, affordable, and relational mental health support to individuals, couples, families, and children (ages 5-17) regardless of their background or ability to pay. We see clients for a variety of issues, including but not limited to anxiety and stress, depression and loneliness, trauma, marital and family conflict, grief, and more.
Our therapy model is first and foremost relationship-based.
The Downtown Counseling Center exists to provide professional, affordable, and relational mental health support to individuals, couples, families, and children (ages 5-17) regardless of their background or ability to pay. We see clients for a variety of issues, including but not limited to anxiety and stress, depression and loneliness, trauma, marital and family conflict, grief, and more.
Parenting can bring overwhelm, loss of sense of self, as well as anxiety, depression, and conflict with your spouse.
I specialize in working with college and graduate students as well as all individuals who suffer from depression and anxiety. Life can feel incredibly hard when you are stuck in anxious or negative thought patterns. I use a strength based approach and provide tools and insights to help break unconscious sabotaging patterns that keep you stuck. Anxiety can be paralyzing and debilitating. I can help you get unstuck and feel better. I provide a nurturing and compassionate space to help you regain your sense of self, as well as provide skills to stop negative, debilitating, critical and anxious thoughts.
Parenting can bring overwhelm, loss of sense of self, as well as anxiety, depression, and conflict with your spouse.
I specialize in working with college and graduate students as well as all individuals who suffer from depression and anxiety. Life can feel incredibly hard when you are stuck in anxious or negative thought patterns. I use a strength based approach and provide tools and insights to help break unconscious sabotaging patterns that keep you stuck. Anxiety can be paralyzing and debilitating. I can help you get unstuck and feel better. I provide a nurturing and compassionate space to help you regain your sense of self, as well as provide skills to stop negative, debilitating, critical and anxious thoughts.
Daphne Ingene
Licensed Professional Counselor, PhD, LPC
Verified Verified
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
I enjoy helping people establish and maintain relationships. It could be a relationship with your significant other, colleagues, or your family where values, beliefs, expectations, or even the cultures may be different. I also help people maintain a positive relationship with themselves by achieving an internal balance and being at peace with their past experiences.
I enjoy helping people establish and maintain relationships. It could be a relationship with your significant other, colleagues, or your family where values, beliefs, expectations, or even the cultures may be different. I also help people maintain a positive relationship with themselves by achieving an internal balance and being at peace with their past experiences.
Ethan Richardson
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
I provide individual therapy and couples therapy that is direct, welcoming, and down-to-earth.
I predominantly work with men and couples. The men I see are often going through a stressful change in their relationships, whether it's a new baby, a new family crisis, a new job, or a new loss. These men are seeking to deal with things differently than how they were brought up to deal with them. Maybe they want to really talk instead of shutting down, to be more available as parents or partners; maybe they want to feel more comfortable expressing themselves; they want to weather the conflicts of life, and stay calm while doing so. For a litany of reasons, this is hard to achieve just by wanting to!
I provide individual therapy and couples therapy that is direct, welcoming, and down-to-earth.
I predominantly work with men and couples. The men I see are often going through a stressful change in their relationships, whether it's a new baby, a new family crisis, a new job, or a new loss. These men are seeking to deal with things differently than how they were brought up to deal with them. Maybe they want to really talk instead of shutting down, to be more available as parents or partners; maybe they want to feel more comfortable expressing themselves; they want to weather the conflicts of life, and stay calm while doing so. For a litany of reasons, this is hard to achieve just by wanting to!
Finding a therapist who you feel comfortable with and supported by is key to any successful therapy. I work to develop a strong, trusting relationship with every client and design a treatment that is tailored to your needs. I enjoy working with a wide range of people struggling with many different issues, including relationship problems, anxiety, depression, grief, reactions to trauma, and child and adolescent problems, among other difficulties.
Finding a therapist who you feel comfortable with and supported by is key to any successful therapy. I work to develop a strong, trusting relationship with every client and design a treatment that is tailored to your needs. I enjoy working with a wide range of people struggling with many different issues, including relationship problems, anxiety, depression, grief, reactions to trauma, and child and adolescent problems, among other difficulties.
Fabian Kuttner
Resident in Counseling, MA, RIC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Working with couples and men is awesome. My clients always surprise me with their intelligence and strength, even if muted by their immediate troubles. Focusing on the connection the couple does have, we can work on the skills to being our own individual within the relationship. Working with men often involves negotiating the contradictions the world presents, attending to power differentials and how they impact our inner world, discovering where our habits developed and how we want to change and grow who we are in the world. I utilize a multitude of maps to offer my clients impactful and effective interventions.
Working with couples and men is awesome. My clients always surprise me with their intelligence and strength, even if muted by their immediate troubles. Focusing on the connection the couple does have, we can work on the skills to being our own individual within the relationship. Working with men often involves negotiating the contradictions the world presents, attending to power differentials and how they impact our inner world, discovering where our habits developed and how we want to change and grow who we are in the world. I utilize a multitude of maps to offer my clients impactful and effective interventions.
Suzanne Wilberger LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
We all set out on our life's path choosing the direction that will bring us the most joy. Sometimes that pathway leads us off the course of happiness and fulfillment, and into the unexpected. When this happens, you may find yourself feeling anxious, depressed, or in the middle of an unhealthy relationship. It's possible to find a new pathway to take so that you can feel your life is back on track. Therapy can provide you with the tools and support you need. It will also create a feeling that you are no longer alone on your journey. I'd love to help you become more confident and ready to take on a new direction in your life.
We all set out on our life's path choosing the direction that will bring us the most joy. Sometimes that pathway leads us off the course of happiness and fulfillment, and into the unexpected. When this happens, you may find yourself feeling anxious, depressed, or in the middle of an unhealthy relationship. It's possible to find a new pathway to take so that you can feel your life is back on track. Therapy can provide you with the tools and support you need. It will also create a feeling that you are no longer alone on your journey. I'd love to help you become more confident and ready to take on a new direction in your life.
Erin Johnson
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, LMFT, FAMI
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Your decision to start counseling represents a meaningful commitment to yourself, and to a life that is more satisfying and balanced. The clients I work with appreciate my focused, sensitive and caring approach to the issues they present for counseling. If you are dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, or relationship issues, I will work with you to develop strategies that will help you improve self-esteem and self-confidence, enhance self-awareness and relationship skills, reduce worry and negative thinking, and improve mood and energy.
Your decision to start counseling represents a meaningful commitment to yourself, and to a life that is more satisfying and balanced. The clients I work with appreciate my focused, sensitive and caring approach to the issues they present for counseling. If you are dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, or relationship issues, I will work with you to develop strategies that will help you improve self-esteem and self-confidence, enhance self-awareness and relationship skills, reduce worry and negative thinking, and improve mood and energy.
Is your job high stress with unique challenges? And, lately your personal life feels over-complicated too? No wonder it’s a struggle to keep generating solutions, even if you are typically an over-achiever. Let me help. I’m a distinguished relationship psychologist with extensive mastery in navigating the intricate realm of human connections, both professionally & personally. Do relationships, whether in your personal life or on the career front, often feel like you're grilling a steak on high heat – charred & intense? REGRETS? We've all got a list of those, but somehow, you find ourselves in the thick of it, yearning for answers.
Is your job high stress with unique challenges? And, lately your personal life feels over-complicated too? No wonder it’s a struggle to keep generating solutions, even if you are typically an over-achiever. Let me help. I’m a distinguished relationship psychologist with extensive mastery in navigating the intricate realm of human connections, both professionally & personally. Do relationships, whether in your personal life or on the career front, often feel like you're grilling a steak on high heat – charred & intense? REGRETS? We've all got a list of those, but somehow, you find ourselves in the thick of it, yearning for answers.
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You may wish to come alone or bring your partner for couples therapy.
Being a psychotherapist means being available to you in a way that is different to other forms of human relatedness. It means I listen to the painful events and relationships troubling you in your life and open a conversation about them between us. This conversation is private and confidential, yet allows for the most honest and accessible way to both explore and understand your reactions and feelings. Although the foundation of my knowledge lies in the psychoanalytic tradition, I incorporate contemporary knowledge and methods that have developed since Sigmund Freud's first discoveries at the end of the 19th century.
You may wish to come alone or bring your partner for couples therapy.
Being a psychotherapist means being available to you in a way that is different to other forms of human relatedness. It means I listen to the painful events and relationships troubling you in your life and open a conversation about them between us. This conversation is private and confidential, yet allows for the most honest and accessible way to both explore and understand your reactions and feelings. Although the foundation of my knowledge lies in the psychoanalytic tradition, I incorporate contemporary knowledge and methods that have developed since Sigmund Freud's first discoveries at the end of the 19th century.
Stephanie A. Geiger
Counselor, MA, CN, LMHC, LPC
Verified Verified
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
I work with individuals, couples, and families of all ages. I have a Masters in Clinical Health Psychology and a Masters in Nutrition/Dietetics, which helps lend to a holistic approach to my work with clients. I commonly work with health behavioral change, anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, ADHD, and relationship change. My treatment approach utilizes a biopsychosocial lense in long-term therapy based in psychodynamic, strengths-based, and integrative work in overall health. I utilize coping skills from CBT, DBT, ACT, and Mindfulness. I incorporated life-skills such a assertiveness, boundaries, and career.
I work with individuals, couples, and families of all ages. I have a Masters in Clinical Health Psychology and a Masters in Nutrition/Dietetics, which helps lend to a holistic approach to my work with clients. I commonly work with health behavioral change, anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, ADHD, and relationship change. My treatment approach utilizes a biopsychosocial lense in long-term therapy based in psychodynamic, strengths-based, and integrative work in overall health. I utilize coping skills from CBT, DBT, ACT, and Mindfulness. I incorporated life-skills such a assertiveness, boundaries, and career.
Jenny Pfeiffer
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
10 Endorsed
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
I work with those struggling with childhood trauma, PTSD, complex grief, depression, relationship issues.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Life Coach. My approach to therapy is to help clients identify, understand, and ultimately change the areas in their lives that have contributed to emotional and relationship pain. I deeply believe that to have the breakthrough we need in current relationships we must understand our history and how it profoundly colors and impacts us as adults. Once we learn to own our history, it no longer owns us.
I work with those struggling with childhood trauma, PTSD, complex grief, depression, relationship issues.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Life Coach. My approach to therapy is to help clients identify, understand, and ultimately change the areas in their lives that have contributed to emotional and relationship pain. I deeply believe that to have the breakthrough we need in current relationships we must understand our history and how it profoundly colors and impacts us as adults. Once we learn to own our history, it no longer owns us.
Susan Horne
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (Online Only)
I use a person-centered, trauma-informed approach to create a safe space where you can explore the challenges that are preventing you from thriving in your daily life. I work with individuals, families and couples to identify behavior patterns and past experiences that are currently causing distress in their lives. We will work together to develop effective coping strategies that will support you feeling confident in your own abilities to reach your therapeutic goals.
I use a person-centered, trauma-informed approach to create a safe space where you can explore the challenges that are preventing you from thriving in your daily life. I work with individuals, families and couples to identify behavior patterns and past experiences that are currently causing distress in their lives. We will work together to develop effective coping strategies that will support you feeling confident in your own abilities to reach your therapeutic goals.
Jesse Luckett, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
I work with individuals and couples to help them actualize their innate qualities of goodness and wholeness. I support people who are overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, or depression, in order to help them learn to transform their life challenges into opportunities for healing and growth. Individuals and couples will learn to recognize behaviors that keep them stuck and are provided with tools to help them process difficult emotions and connect and communicate more effectively and lovingly. Through establishing a caring therapeutic relationship clients can become more confident and secure within themselves.
I work with individuals and couples to help them actualize their innate qualities of goodness and wholeness. I support people who are overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, or depression, in order to help them learn to transform their life challenges into opportunities for healing and growth. Individuals and couples will learn to recognize behaviors that keep them stuck and are provided with tools to help them process difficult emotions and connect and communicate more effectively and lovingly. Through establishing a caring therapeutic relationship clients can become more confident and secure within themselves.
Barbara Groves
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
In couples therapy, we will examine how you relate to each other: Do you support each other, do you listen to each other, do you understand each other, do you have a common vision for the future? We will explore what gets in the way and I will teach you how to practice compassionate curiosity and deep listening.
As your therapist, I will guide you to recognize learned patterns of thinking, acting and feeling that may be creating suffering in your life. Together we will explore where and why you learned those patterns and what purpose they served. Once fully understood, you will find the courage to release those learned patterns and cultivate healthier ways of being. Through this process you will find greater self-awareness, self-compassion and new skills to create healthier relationships with yourself, others and life in general. You will feel lighter, happier and more confident.
In couples therapy, we will examine how you relate to each other: Do you support each other, do you listen to each other, do you understand each other, do you have a common vision for the future? We will explore what gets in the way and I will teach you how to practice compassionate curiosity and deep listening.
As your therapist, I will guide you to recognize learned patterns of thinking, acting and feeling that may be creating suffering in your life. Together we will explore where and why you learned those patterns and what purpose they served. Once fully understood, you will find the courage to release those learned patterns and cultivate healthier ways of being. Through this process you will find greater self-awareness, self-compassion and new skills to create healthier relationships with yourself, others and life in general. You will feel lighter, happier and more confident.
I am a clinical psychologist with experience providing individual, couples, and family therapy in outpatient and inpatient settings. My areas of interest include working with couples, parents of adolescents, high-stress families, and women with trauma histories. I enjoy working with couples and families to help them find new ways of communicating with each other and their children. I provide comprehensive psychological assessments for children and adults using cognitive, achievement, and personality measures. I aim to make assessments a useful addendum to therapy, psychiatric care, and improved classroom and home functioning.
I am a clinical psychologist with experience providing individual, couples, and family therapy in outpatient and inpatient settings. My areas of interest include working with couples, parents of adolescents, high-stress families, and women with trauma histories. I enjoy working with couples and families to help them find new ways of communicating with each other and their children. I provide comprehensive psychological assessments for children and adults using cognitive, achievement, and personality measures. I aim to make assessments a useful addendum to therapy, psychiatric care, and improved classroom and home functioning.
Chapin Faulconer
Licensed Professional Counselor, MEd, LPC, NCC
Verified Verified
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor specializing in individual, couples and family therapy. Also, I am a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator (CDWF) based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown. My treatment approach is to provide support with insight and feedback to help clients address current challenges and long-standing issues. With sensitivity and compassion, I draw from different styles and techniques to incorporate what is most helpful for each individual. Together with each client, I work to build on strengths and achieve life goals.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor specializing in individual, couples and family therapy. Also, I am a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator (CDWF) based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown. My treatment approach is to provide support with insight and feedback to help clients address current challenges and long-standing issues. With sensitivity and compassion, I draw from different styles and techniques to incorporate what is most helpful for each individual. Together with each client, I work to build on strengths and achieve life goals.
Full Life
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
Downtown, Charlottesville, VA 22902
***Please note that calls and emails are answered by my intake coordinator, Madeline Schultz.*** I work with individuals, couples and families collaborating with them to reach their goals. These goals range from finding relief from depression, anxiety, past trauma, and addiction to finding deeper joy and satisfaction in work, leisure and relationships. I have specialized training in individual and family therapy, couples therapy, and sex therapy. I provide a safe environment for people to reflect on their lives with curiosity and compassion and make desired changes based on this reflection.
***Please note that calls and emails are answered by my intake coordinator, Madeline Schultz.*** I work with individuals, couples and families collaborating with them to reach their goals. These goals range from finding relief from depression, anxiety, past trauma, and addiction to finding deeper joy and satisfaction in work, leisure and relationships. I have specialized training in individual and family therapy, couples therapy, and sex therapy. I provide a safe environment for people to reflect on their lives with curiosity and compassion and make desired changes based on this reflection.
See more therapy options for Downtown, Charlottesville
Couples Counseling Therapists
Does couples counseling work?
Research shows that couples counseling is effective; it can reduce relationship distress and improve emotional awareness, communication, empathy, intimacy, and overall relationship satisfaction. For example, emotionally focused therapy was found to be effective for about 75 percent of couples, and those benefits lasted at least two years.
When should a couple seek counseling?
Couples can benefit from counseling if they consistently struggle in their relationship. They may have lost the ability to communicate effectively, become entrenched in harmful patterns, begun to fight more than usual, broken the other’s trust, suffered from a mental or physical illness, or faced any number of other challenges. Many therapists offer free consultations, so if a couple isn’t sure whether therapy is necessary, asking directly can provide clarity.
How can I get my partner to go to couples therapy?
The decision to seek couples therapy is often driven by one partner, who then convinces the other to participate. When discussing the idea, the initiator should be direct and assertive. They can state the problems they see and explain how the relationship would benefit from therapy. In more serious cases, they can also explain how their relationship may suffer without making any changes or seeking professional help.
How does a couple prepare for couples counseling?
The anticipation of beginning couples counseling can be difficult—sometimes more difficult than the first session itself. Taking a few moments to reflect can allay those concerns: What are the current challenges? When and how did they begin? What do they want the relationship to look like in the future? Reflecting on these questions can help individuals or couples articulate their goals. Of course, the therapist will also ask questions and guide couples through the process.