Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I just try therapy before committing to a weekly or bi-weekly schedule?

We completely understand this request. The reason why we’re careful not to start someone with one of our therapists without first establishing a weekly or bi-weekly appointment time slot that works for both you and the therapist is that there are very few openings in our schedules. If we don’t reserve one of those limited time slots for you now, it’s likely that it will be taken by someone else by the time you’ve completed your first session.

Most people who start with our therapists choose to continue working with them on an ongoing basis. We want to avoid a situation where you connect with your therapist, only to find that they no longer have a regular time slot available that fits your schedule. In fact, we’ve had moments like this before:

Client: "You're great, I can't wait to work with you! Let's get it in the books!"
Therapist: "Wonderful, I'm excited to work with you too! The openings I currently have are every other Tuesday at 2pm and every Thursday at 9am... which would you prefer?"
Client: "Oh shoot, neither of those work for me."

To avoid that, we ask that your availability and your therapist’s availability align in advance, meaning we’ll need to reserve a specific weekly or bi-weekly time slot as part of the intake process.

That said, you’re not signing a contract—therapy with us is always voluntary, and you can stop at any time. We just need to make sure a consistent time is reserved in advance to prevent scheduling issues. Our intake coordinator will walk you through the process and confirm your preferred time slot, should you decide to continue after your initial session. If you're looking for individual counseling or any of our ongoing services, we’re here to help you get started.

Therapy is most effective when it happens consistently, so we ask all clients to begin with either weekly or every-other-week appointments. Research—and our experience—shows that meeting less frequently than that doesn’t provide the structure or momentum needed for real progress.

Later in therapy, some clients choose to scale back and schedule appointments on a more flexible, as-needed basis. At that point, you’re welcome to use our online calendar to book sessions at your own pace, assuming your therapist has availability. But to start, we’ll need to commit to a regular weekly or biweekly time slot so the work can be as effective as possible.

Reach out to us if you have questions about what therapy could look like for you in Seattle or online throughout Washington.

Most people stay in therapy for several months, though the length of time is entirely up to you. You're not signing a contract with us, and you can stop therapy at any time. That said, it’s common for clients to discover that meaningful, lasting change often takes more time than initially expected—and that more than a few sessions are needed to really address deeper concerns.

Therapy is a process, and people and relationships are complex. Our therapists work very hard in sessions to help you get the most out of your time and to move you through the process efficiently, but in most cases, real progress takes a little while.

If you’re curious about what you might gain from a longer course of therapy, you might find our blog post on why therapy isn’t a quick fix insightful.

We’re happy to talk more about what therapy might look like for you. Reach out to us to learn more about starting therapy in Seattle or online throughout Washington.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under federal law, health care providers must give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

This includes the total expected cost of any non-emergency services, such as therapy, as well as related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, or equipment. Mental health providers, including those offering individual counseling or couples therapy, are required to comply with this rule when treating uninsured or self-pay clients.

Be sure to request your Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day before your scheduled appointment. You may also proactively ask any provider for a written estimate before confirming services.

If you receive a bill that is $400 or more above your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the charge.

Always save a copy or photo of your Good Faith Estimate for your records.

For more information about your rights, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

We are often asked about how/if health insurance can be part of paying for individual or couples therapy. It's an important and surprisingly not-so-simple answer, so we have devoted a page to providing a detailed explanation of how insurance works as well as what our rates are, so that clients are making informed decisions about their care.

Please reach out to us if you have questions.

That depends on a few factors, such as what you're seeking help for and how motivated you are to engage in the process. But perhaps the most important part of this answer is that how long you stay in therapy is entirely up to you. You’re not signing a contract or enrolling in a fixed program—you and your therapist are collaborating to reach the goals that matter to you.

Some people get what they need in just a few sessions, while others stay for many months or even years. The duration is flexible and based entirely on your goals and preferences.

On one hand, we want you to feel empowered and equipped to move forward on your own as soon as possible. Our job is to help you reach a place where you don’t feel you need us anymore. On the other hand, many people find that a long-standing relationship with a therapist they trust is one of the most meaningful and supportive connections in their lives.

Personally, I (Justin Pere) have worked with some therapists for only a few months—either because I got what I needed or didn’t quite connect—and others for several years. Both experiences were quite valuable in different ways.

If you're considering how long therapy might take for you, our blog on why therapy isn't a quick fix offers helpful insight into the process and what to expect.

Reach out to us if you have any questions about therapy in Seattle or online throughout Washington.

Yes! Most Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can be used to pay for therapy with us. Clients regularly use these tax-advantaged accounts to cover their sessions without issue.

If you're unsure whether your HSA or FSA provider requires specific documentation or diagnosis codes for reimbursement, feel free to check with them—or reach out to us and we’ll do our best to help you navigate it.

Our main office is located near South Lake Union at 1836 Westlake Ave. North, Suite 303, Seattle, WA 98109. We’re easy to find and conveniently situated for anyone searching for individual therapy in Seattle, couples therapy, or sex and intimacy counseling.

Suite 303 is on the second floor when viewed from the street. You can reach it via staircases located at either end of the building behind clear glass doors. If you need accessibility accommodations, please let us know in advance so we can assist.

Directions from Downtown Seattle

To reach us from downtown, take I-5 North to Exit 167 for Mercer Street toward Seattle Center. Continue onto Mercer Street, then turn right onto Westlake Avenue North. You’ll find our office just past Lake Union Park, with nearby access to public transit and paid parking.

We request a credit, debit, or HSA/FSA card when you begin in order to reserve your appointment time. Your card will not be charged prior to your first session, but we do require this information to hold your spot in the therapist’s schedule.

Like most private practices, we have a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you need to cancel or reschedule any appointment—including your first session—just give us at least 48 hours’ (2 days) notice to avoid being charged for the session.

Secure Payment Information at Clarity Counseling Seattle

All payment details are stored in our secure, HIPAA-compliant system. We use this system to safely manage billing for individual counseling, couples therapy, and other services.

If you have any questions about our payment policies or secure storage system, please contact us.

Here are some ways to make the most of your therapy sessions at Clarity Counseling Seattle:

1. After each session, take time to reflect on what was discussed and consider how you might apply insights or tools to your day-to-day life.
2. Remember that much of the most important individual therapy work happens between sessions. Following through on goals or practices discussed in session can significantly enhance your progress.
3. Be as open and honest with your therapist as you feel able—therapy is most effective when your provider has a full picture of your experiences and concerns.
4. When therapy feels challenging, either during or between sessions, trust that this is often a sign of growth. Discomfort can mean you're doing important work.

It’s understandable to feel hesitant if therapy hasn’t worked for you in the past. There are a few common reasons this happens, and exploring them might help you decide whether to try again.

In some cases, people aren’t quite ready to engage fully in the work of individual therapy, which can make it difficult to experience lasting change. Other times, people start therapy hoping to change someone else, rather than focusing on what’s within their own control. That’s a natural impulse—but fortunately, when we change ourselves, those around us often shift as well.

The Therapist-Client Relationship Matters

Another big factor is the fit between therapist and client. A mismatch can limit progress, even if both people are doing their best. While therapists differ in style and methods, research consistently shows that the quality of the relationship between therapist and client is one of the strongest predictors of success. This is true for both individual and couples therapy.

If you’re considering trying again, we’d love to talk with you about what didn’t work before and how we might approach things differently. Reach out here to explore next steps with a Seattle therapist or online throughout Washington.

Psychiatric medications are sometimes used alongside individual therapy, especially when treating conditions like depression or anxiety. While our therapists at Clarity Counseling Seattle do not prescribe medication, we often collaborate with prescribing professionals when medication may be helpful.

Therapy and Medication: A Complementary Approach

Research shows that combining therapy with medication can be more effective than either approach alone in many cases. For example, antidepressants may help lift a person’s mood enough to allow deeper, more effective engagement in the therapeutic process—leading to more lasting change.

We maintain working relationships with trusted doctors, naturopaths, and nurse practitioners (ARNPs) in the Seattle area who offer medication evaluations and management. If appropriate, we can help connect you with someone who is a good fit for your needs.

Reach out to us if you have questions about integrating therapy with medication support.

AI-powered relationship apps can be a helpful starting point for couples looking to explore communication or identify patterns, but they aren't a substitute for real couples therapy. Most of these tools rely on structured questionnaires and pre-recorded videos, which can offer insight but fall short of the personalized, real-time support that a trained therapist provides.

Unlike AI, a human therapist can attune to emotional nuance, help regulate conflict in the moment, and guide couples through deeper healing and repair. If you're curious about the differences, this blog post explains why therapy goes beyond what AI tools can offer.

Relationship coaches can offer general support and strategies for improving communication or reaching goals in a relationship, but they aren’t licensed mental health professionals. A couples therapist is clinically trained and licensed to address deeper emotional, relational, and psychological issues, including trauma, attachment patterns, and long-standing conflict.

Therapists also adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality standards and often integrate research-based approaches like the Gottman Method. If you're dealing with repeated arguments, emotional disconnection, or intimacy struggles, working with a licensed couples therapist is likely the most effective choice.

It's not uncommon for someone in individual counseling to invite their partner into a session or two to explore relationship dynamics. When appropriate, we encourage this as a way to deepen the therapeutic process and gain perspective. In some cases, individual therapy evolves into couples therapy, and we either pause the individual work or shift fully into working with the couple together.

However, we cannot see both partners in a couple for separate individual therapy. If you are already working with one of our therapists individually and your partner would also like support, we can help connect them with another Clarity Counseling therapist or refer them to a trusted clinician outside our practice.

This policy ensures that both partners feel their therapeutic space is neutral, private, and dedicated to their individual needs—while maintaining the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.

Contact us here if you have questions about setting up individual or couples therapy.

Research shows that couples often wait an average of six years after problems begin before starting therapy—often longer than they should. While no counselor can guarantee that individual therapy or couples therapy will save a relationship, we strongly believe that seeking help is a vital step. Just as we seek doctors for physical health or accountants for taxes, relationship counseling is where we turn for expert help with relational health.

Couples Counseling in Seattle

If therapy can’t save your current relationship, it can still help you gain valuable insight and tools that support healthier dynamics in the future. Whether you attend therapy solo or with your partner, the growth that occurs will benefit your current and future relationships—regardless of outcome.

Reach out to us if you’d like to talk about your options for couples counseling in Seattle.

Relationship coaches can offer general support and strategies for improving communication or reaching goals in a relationship, but they aren’t licensed mental health professionals. A couples therapist is clinically trained and licensed to address deeper emotional, relational, and psychological issues, including trauma, attachment patterns, and long-standing conflict.

Therapists also adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality standards and often integrate research-based approaches like the Gottman Method. If you're dealing with repeated arguments, emotional disconnection, or intimacy struggles, working with a licensed couples therapist is likely the most effective choice.

Sex & Intimacy Therapy in Seattle

Not at all. Many concerns related to sex and intimacy—such as low libido, challenges with arousal, or difficulty forming emotional bonds—can exist independently of a romantic partnership. Whether you’re currently single, dating, or navigating complex dynamics with a partner, individual therapy can be a powerful space to explore sexual concerns.

Even when you are in a relationship, it’s not always possible or appropriate for your partner to attend sessions. Sex and intimacy therapy can still be highly effective when attended solo, allowing you to focus on your own growth, healing, and understanding of how you relate to sexuality and connection.

Reach out if you'd like help exploring these topics—we're here when you're ready.

Sex therapy at our Seattle practice functions much like any other individual therapy or relationship counseling session—the key difference is that the focus is specifically on concerns related to sexuality and intimacy. Our therapists, including certified sex therapy professionals, are specially trained to help you explore challenges like mismatched desire, low or no libido, compulsive sexual behavior, or sexless relationships.

Treatment may include guided conversations, psychoeducation, and homework between sessions to support growth and change. Clients often benefit from learning known solutions and strategies to restore connection and pleasure.

Sex Therapy Standards and Ethics

Sex therapy is always governed by professional standards, including those of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). It’s important to clarify that sex therapy never involves physical touch or sexual activity in session. All participants are fully clothed and sessions are conducted within clear, ethical, and professional boundaries.

Reach out with any questions about what sex therapy might look like for you.

Becoming a certified sex therapist requires extensive training and experience. The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) sets rigorous standards for education, supervised clinical work, and ongoing consultation in the field of sex and intimacy therapy.

Expertise and Training in Sex Therapy

Sex therapists complete in-depth academic coursework, participate in specialized clinical trainings and peer consultation, and are mentored by leaders in the field. Our clinicians bring both advanced knowledge and compassionate care to help clients address concerns around intimacy, sexual desire, and more.

Personally, I (Justin Pere) have trained extensively with Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers at Seattle Pacific University and Dr. Stella Resnick in Los Angeles, two leading voices in the field of sexual health and intimacy.

Connect with a Certified Sex Therapist in Seattle or Online

If you're seeking a therapist who specializes in sexual health, or if you'd like to explore whether individual counseling or relationship therapy might also be helpful, we’re here to support you. Reach out to Clarity Counseling Seattle to learn more.

It's not uncommon for someone in individual counseling to invite their partner into a session or two to explore relationship dynamics. When appropriate, we encourage this as a way to deepen the therapeutic process and gain perspective. In some cases, individual therapy evolves into couples therapy, and we either pause the individual work or shift fully into working with the couple together.

However, we cannot see both partners in a couple for separate individual therapy. If you are already working with one of our therapists individually and your partner would also like support, we can help connect them with another Clarity Counseling therapist or refer them to a trusted clinician outside our practice.

This policy ensures that both partners feel their therapeutic space is neutral, private, and dedicated to their individual needs—while maintaining the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.

Contact us here if you have questions about setting up individual or couples therapy.

Therapy with Male-Identified Clinicians at Clarity Counseling Seattle

Many women and female-identified clients come to individual counseling with our male-identified therapists because of our deep understanding of men’s issues — challenges that frequently show up in relationships with male partners. Working with a male therapist can sometimes provide a unique opportunity to better understand and navigate those dynamics from a perspective that resonates more directly with their lived experience.

The Value of a Cross-Gender Therapeutic Relationship

In some cases, therapists may even recommend working with a clinician of the same gender as someone the client struggles with — such as a father, partner, or former authority figure. This can be especially helpful in healing old wounds, processing trauma, and practicing new relational skills in a safe, professional setting. When these challenges are connected to male figures, working with a male-identified therapist can bring clarity and healing in a direct, supported way.

That said, we also recognize that the right therapeutic fit is highly personal. If we believe a different match would be better — whether that’s a female therapist on our team or a trusted colleague in the community — we’re always happy to make that referral.

AI-powered relationship apps can be a helpful starting point for couples looking to explore communication or identify patterns, but they aren't a substitute for real couples therapy. Most of these tools rely on structured questionnaires and pre-recorded videos, which can offer insight but fall short of the personalized, real-time support that a trained therapist provides.

Unlike AI, a human therapist can attune to emotional nuance, help regulate conflict in the moment, and guide couples through deeper healing and repair. If you're curious about the differences, this blog post explains why therapy goes beyond what AI tools can offer.

Yes, we do! Thanks to the flexibility of telehealth, we’re able to offer online therapy to individuals and couples throughout all of Washington State. Many of our clients live far from Seattle — in smaller towns or rural areas — and appreciate the ability to access high-quality therapy from wherever they are.

Our therapists are licensed in Washington, so as long as you’re physically located within the state during sessions, we can work with you. Since 2020, hundreds of people from across Washington have chosen teletherapy with us and found it to be just as effective as in-person counseling.

If you’re curious whether online sessions are a good fit for you, reach out to us here. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about getting started with virtual therapy.

Relationship coaches can offer general support and strategies for improving communication or reaching goals in a relationship, but they aren’t licensed mental health professionals. A couples therapist is clinically trained and licensed to address deeper emotional, relational, and psychological issues, including trauma, attachment patterns, and long-standing conflict.

Therapists also adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality standards and often integrate research-based approaches like the Gottman Method. If you're dealing with repeated arguments, emotional disconnection, or intimacy struggles, working with a licensed couples therapist is likely the most effective choice.

We offer both in-person and online (telehealth) therapy sessions, depending on your preferences and which therapist you’d like to work with.

Several of our therapists see clients in person at our Seattle office in South Lake Union, while others offer therapy exclusively online. Many clients choose online therapy for its flexibility and convenience, and we’ve found telehealth to be just as effective as in-person sessions for a wide range of concerns.

If you’re open to either format, we recommend focusing on choosing the best therapist fit for your needs, and we’ll help you determine whether they offer sessions in the format you prefer. If you’re specifically looking for in-person therapy, just let our intake team know and we’ll match you with one of our therapists who sees clients at the office.

For more insights into how teletherapy has evolved and why so many clients now prefer it, you may find our blog post on the benefits of online therapy helpful.

Private Online Therapy in 98109

Yes—your online sessions are absolutely private. We use SimplePractice, a secure telehealth platform specifically designed for therapists, with client confidentiality at its core. Your online therapy sessions are fully HIPAA-compliant and protected just as they would be in person at our Seattle office.

If you have any concerns about online privacy or want to make sure teletherapy is right for you, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to answer questions and help you feel confident getting started.

Online Couples Therapy in Seattle and Across Washington

Yes, absolutely—couples therapy works beautifully online. In fact, many of the couples we work with tell us they feel even more comfortable engaging in the therapy process from the familiar setting of their own home. Whether it's on the couch or around the kitchen table, couples often find they can express themselves more naturally and connect more deeply during sessions.

We’ve consistently seen that online therapy is just as effective as in-person work—especially for couples who are present together in the same space during their appointments. While we can technically work with couples who join sessions from two different locations, the experience tends to be smoother and more connected when partners are physically together during therapy.

Another benefit: when a session ends, couples can continue their conversation and connection without the transition of leaving an office. Many of our clients report that these post-session moments have led to real growth between them.

If you’re curious about whether online couples therapy is a good fit, reach out to us. We’d be happy to answer your questions or help you schedule a session.

How Online Therapy Works at Clarity Counseling Seattle

We use a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform called SimplePractice, which functions like Zoom but is built specifically for online therapy. You’ll receive an email reminder 72 hours (3 days) before your appointment, and another email reminder 10-15 minutes before it begins. Just click the link in either email to join your session—no login required.

Online therapy can be accessed from any device: computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. All you need is a reliable internet connection and a bit of privacy.

Virtual Therapy Across Washington

If you're searching for "virtual therapy near me", know that teletherapy with us is available to anyone in Washington State. Your session can happen wherever you’re most comfortable—whether that’s in your home, parked in your car, walking in a quiet space, or while your pet keeps you company. Our goal is to meet you where you are, in every sense of the phrase.

Contact us if you have questions or would like to schedule an online therapy appointment with one of our experienced Seattle-based therapists.

Absolutely. At Clarity, we've facilitated hundreds of online therapy sessions for individuals and couples across Washington State—and the results speak for themselves. From the early days of the pandemic to today, we’ve consistently found that therapy conducted online is just as effective as in-person sessions for most clinical concerns.

We’re able to offer the same therapeutic tools, strategies, and healing work online as we do in person, including:

• Couples therapy exercises that build communication, connection, and emotional intimacy
• Sharing worksheets or educational materials to support reflection and learning
• Mindfulness practices, guided visualization, and body awareness techniques
• Conversations that foster insight, develop emotional resilience, and encourage personal growth

For couples, we utilize proven methods like the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with the same depth and success online. For individuals, sessions remain engaging, safe, and effective—from wherever they are.

Why So Many Clients Are Choosing Online Therapy

When the shift to telehealth began, many therapists had concerns about how well therapy would translate online. But it became clear very quickly: teletherapy works. In fact, many of our clients have found they prefer the comfort and convenience of therapy from home.

Whether you're near our South Lake Union office or in another part of Washington, teletherapy offers accessible, private, and effective care.

AI-powered relationship apps can be a helpful starting point for couples looking to explore communication or identify patterns, but they aren't a substitute for real couples therapy. Most of these tools rely on structured questionnaires and pre-recorded videos, which can offer insight but fall short of the personalized, real-time support that a trained therapist provides.

Unlike AI, a human therapist can attune to emotional nuance, help regulate conflict in the moment, and guide couples through deeper healing and repair. If you're curious about the differences, this blog post explains why therapy goes beyond what AI tools can offer.

Relationship coaches can offer general support and strategies for improving communication or reaching goals in a relationship, but they aren’t licensed mental health professionals. A couples therapist is clinically trained and licensed to address deeper emotional, relational, and psychological issues, including trauma, attachment patterns, and long-standing conflict.

Therapists also adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality standards and often integrate research-based approaches like the Gottman Method. If you're dealing with repeated arguments, emotional disconnection, or intimacy struggles, working with a licensed couples therapist is likely the most effective choice.

What Can We Expect from Premarital or Precommitment Therapy?

We’re often asked whether our premarital and precommitment therapy follows a structured program or fixed number of sessions. While each therapist at Clarity Counseling Seattle brings their own unique style to this work, we don’t use a rigid format. Instead, your sessions are tailored to your specific relationship and needs from the very first meeting.

We’ll help you identify the areas of your relationship that may benefit from growth, and provide the tools, support, and guidance to help you strengthen those areas. While the number of sessions can vary, most couples typically attend at least 10 sessions with us.

What Happens During Premarital Therapy?

We often use the Gottman Relationship Checkup, a research-based assessment that you’ll complete at home. It helps us efficiently zero in on areas of strength and challenge in your relationship. From there, we guide you in building important relationship skills, deepening your connection, and learning how to approach challenges as a team.

Why Premarital Therapy Matters

We love working with premarital and precommitment couples—truly! It’s incredibly rewarding to help you lay a strong foundation for your future together and avoid common pitfalls that many couples face down the road. Relationship skills are absolutely learnable, and investing in this now sets you up for a more resilient, fulfilling partnership later.

If you’re looking for more guidance, you might also enjoy this blog post about why premarital counseling is worth it.

Contact Clarity Counseling Seattle if you’re ready to begin premarital or precommitment therapy.

Premarital counseling gives couples an opportunity to build a strong, thoughtful foundation for their relationship before marriage or long-term commitment. It’s a proactive step that allows you to strengthen your bond and align on important values before entering a deeper phase of your relationship.

At Clarity Counseling Seattle, we love working with engaged or seriously dating couples because we know how powerful these early conversations can be for long-term happiness and success in a partnership.

Pre-Marital Counseling in Seattle, WA

In premarital counseling sessions, we help couples talk through many of the "big ticket" topics that often lead to conflict later if left unaddressed. These include:

• Shared goals for your life and marriage
• Beliefs around religion, politics, and values
• Money, debt, and career expectations
• Sex, intimacy, and affection
• Relationships with extended family and your hopes for your future family
• Expectations around household responsibilities and gender roles

You’ll also gain practical tools—like communication strategies, conflict resolution skills, and ways to express needs and boundaries—that will support you throughout your relationship. As we often say in sessions, skills can be learned, and it’s never too early to start building them together.

For a closer look at how therapy before marriage can benefit your relationship, this blog post may help.

Start Premarital Counseling with Clarity Counseling Seattle

Our licensed therapists and marriage counselors have supported countless couples in creating strong, connected relationships. Couples who participate in premarital counseling often feel more prepared, aligned, and confident heading into their commitment.

AI-powered relationship apps can be a helpful starting point for couples looking to explore communication or identify patterns, but they aren't a substitute for real couples therapy. Most of these tools rely on structured questionnaires and pre-recorded videos, which can offer insight but fall short of the personalized, real-time support that a trained therapist provides.

Unlike AI, a human therapist can attune to emotional nuance, help regulate conflict in the moment, and guide couples through deeper healing and repair. If you're curious about the differences, this blog post explains why therapy goes beyond what AI tools can offer.

Relationship coaches can offer general support and strategies for improving communication or reaching goals in a relationship, but they aren’t licensed mental health professionals. A couples therapist is clinically trained and licensed to address deeper emotional, relational, and psychological issues, including trauma, attachment patterns, and long-standing conflict.

Therapists also adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality standards and often integrate research-based approaches like the Gottman Method. If you're dealing with repeated arguments, emotional disconnection, or intimacy struggles, working with a licensed couples therapist is likely the most effective choice.

Marriage counseling is a focused, supportive process designed to help couples repair and strengthen their relationship. While similar in structure to individual therapy, the emphasis in marriage therapy is on the patterns, dynamics, and emotional barriers between spouses.

During sessions, your therapist will help you and your partner better understand the sources of disconnection or distress in your relationship. These may include struggles around communication, emotional intimacy, trust, unmet needs, or long-standing tension related to family dynamics, parenting, or sex and intimacy.

What To Expect in Marriage Counseling

Sessions typically involve guided conversations, communication exercises, and helpful readings or frameworks that make the underlying issues easier to understand. You’ll also learn and practice practical tools in session—skills that are meant to be used between sessions to help you reconnect, express needs more clearly, and navigate conflict with more empathy and intention.

Marriage therapy is a safe and structured space to examine how each partner contributes to the relationship dynamics, while also building emotional closeness and shared understanding. Most couples leave with greater clarity, renewed hope, and tools they can begin using right away to shift their connection in a positive direction.

If you’re wondering whether marriage therapy might help your relationship, this page offers more details about what to expect from the process.

Contact Clarity Counseling Seattle to get started with marriage counseling in person or online across Washington State.

Absolutely, yes. Many couples seek therapy later in life when unresolved patterns, retirement transitions, or intimacy shifts begin to strain the relationship. It’s never too late to improve communication, rebuild closeness, or find new ways of connecting. Therapy can help you better understand each other’s emotional needs, repair long-standing resentments, and navigate this stage of life with greater empathy and teamwork.

Absolutely! Therapy can be helpful at any age. In fact, many people begin therapy for the first time in midlife or later, especially during periods of transition or reflection. Whether you're facing retirement, caregiving stress, shifting relationship dynamics, or grief, therapy offers a supportive space to process your experiences and move forward with clarity. You don’t need a history of therapy to benefit from it now.

Clients in midlife and beyond often come to therapy to explore changes in identity, purpose, or relationships. Common concerns include emotional distance in long-term partnerships, caregiving burnout, loneliness, desire changes, unresolved grief, or navigating a new stage of life (like retirement or an empty nest). Some seek support for long-standing patterns that have become harder to ignore, while others simply want space to reflect and grow with intention.

Relationship coaches can offer general support and strategies for improving communication or reaching goals in a relationship, but they aren’t licensed mental health professionals. A couples therapist is clinically trained and licensed to address deeper emotional, relational, and psychological issues, including trauma, attachment patterns, and long-standing conflict.

Therapists also adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality standards and often integrate research-based approaches like the Gottman Method. If you're dealing with repeated arguments, emotional disconnection, or intimacy struggles, working with a licensed couples therapist is likely the most effective choice.

Absolutely. When you begin working on your own patterns, it naturally shifts how you interact with your partner. Even if your partner doesn’t attend therapy, your new approaches to communication, boundaries, and emotional responses can create a ripple effect that changes the relationship as a whole.

Often, yes. Many partners become more open to the idea once they see the positive changes therapy is bringing. It can reduce defensiveness and show that support is available, making it easier for them to consider joining sessions in the future.

While individual counseling focuses primarily on your personal history and well-being, couples therapy for one is centered on your relationship. The goal is to better understand your role in the partnership, identify ways to shift patterns, and take steps that may strengthen the bond even if your partner isn’t present.

People often come to individual couples counseling when they feel stuck in cycles of conflict, disconnected from their partner, or unsure how to move forward. Therapy can help with improving communication, rebuilding trust, navigating intimacy struggles, or preparing for marriage counseling down the road if your partner decides to join later.

If your partner isn’t open to counseling right now, it can still be very helpful to start therapy on your own.

Couples Counseling for One

It’s common for one partner to hesitate, sometimes waiting for proof that change is possible before agreeing to attend sessions. When one person begins therapy on their own, it often becomes the catalyst for meaningful change in the relationship. By working on your own emotional patterns, communication habits, and personal responses, you can begin shifting the dynamic between you and your partner—even without their direct participation.

We offer teletherapy across Washington State as well as in-person sessions at our Seattle office in South Lake Union. If you're ready to move forward on your own and explore how therapy can help your relationship, we’re here to support you.

Absolutely. Many men seek therapy for questions around sexual desire, erectile difficulties, or mismatched intimacy needs in a partnership. Our sex and intimacy therapists work with men individually or in couples sessions to reduce shame, explore underlying causes, and create a healthier, more satisfying sexual connection.

Yes! Many men wait until they feel overwhelmed before reaching out, but counseling can be just as valuable for personal growth and prevention as it is for crisis support. Talking with a therapist can help men clarify goals, improve relationships, and develop healthier coping skills before stress builds into something bigger.

It’s common for men to have grown up with messages that discouraged emotional openness. In therapy, we create a safe space to explore feelings at your own pace, while building skills for healthier communication. Many men find this process deepens connection with loved ones and reduces the sense of emotional isolation. Some also find that working on relationship challenges becomes easier once emotions feel more accessible.

In many ways, the core process is the same, but men’s therapy pays particular attention to the unique pressures and expectations men face today. Topics like masculinity, identity, and societal roles often shape the work. For some, this includes navigating relationship shifts, life transitions, or marriage counseling from a male perspective.

Anger often masks underlying pain, stress, or unmet needs. Therapy provides a space to understand where those patterns come from and to develop healthier ways of responding. Many men discover that addressing anger also improves their relationships and self-esteem, and reduces tension at home or at work.

Men's Therapy in Seattle, WA

Male-identified individuals enter into counseling for a number of reasons, many of them the same as those that bring female-identified adults into therapy, but the following are issues we often work with men on:

• Modern masculinity
• Men's roles in current society
• Depression & anxiety in male-identified persons
• Marriage/relationship problems specific to men
• Communication skill-building
• Restricted range of emotion
• Issues with intimacy or sex drive - whether low, no, or overactive
• Controlling or rigid behavior
• Affairs (having had, or currently in, or recovering from the spouse's affair)
• Marriage separation or divorce
• Questioning sexual orientation or gender identity
• Alcohol or substance abuse

Please reach out to us if you have questions or would like to schedule a men's therapy session in Seattle.