Couples Counseling
Oregon City and Virtually Throughout Oregon
You love each other. So why is this so hard? And how do you change it?
Relationships can be complicated. Sometimes you find yourselves having the same argument over and over, feeling disconnected, or wondering how you went from partners to feeling more like roommates.
Couples therapy can help you understand what's happening between you, break unhelpful patterns, and build a healthier way of relating to each other.
At Thriving Aspen Counseling, couples therapy is practical, direct, and focused on meaningful change.
Couples often come to therapy because:
You keep having the same argument without resolving anything.
One or both of you doesn't feel heard or understood.
Small disagreements quickly turn into major conflicts.
You've become disconnected or feel more like roommates than partners.
You're struggling with trust after an affair or betrayal.
Intimacy and affection have changed.
You're adjusting to becoming parents or raising children.
The mental load, parenting, or responsibilities at home have become a source of resentment.
You're facing a major life change that is putting stress on your relationship.
You've tried to work through things on your own and aren't getting anywhere.
You're not sure whether your relationship can—or should—continue.
You don't have to be on the verge of divorce to benefit from couples therapy. Sometimes the best time to get help is when you recognize that the way you're relating to each other isn't working anymore.
Meet Our Couples Therapists
Alejandra Vera-Oronia
Alejandra works with couples using attachment-based and systemic approaches, including specialized training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
She also offers faith-informed counseling for couples who want to incorporate their spiritual beliefs and values into therapy.
Couples therapy available in English and Spanish.
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Haley Mason
Haley takes a warm, collaborative, person-centered, and trauma-informed approach to couples therapy.
She enjoys helping couples navigate communication difficulties, relationship patterns, emotional connection, and intimacy concerns.
Professional Counselor Associate
Martha specializes in couples therapy, particularly communication difficulties, recurring conflict, infidelity, intimacy concerns, and parenting transitions.
Her approach is direct, practical, and grounded in training that includes the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy.
LPC and SupervisorMartha Bartlow
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Our goal isn't to determine who is right or wrong.
Instead, couples therapy provides an opportunity to understand what's happening between you.
We'll explore how you communicate, respond to conflict, express emotions, and experience connection or disconnection.
Depending on your needs, therapy may focus on rebuilding trust, improving communication, understanding emotional needs, or developing new ways of responding to one another.
The goal isn't a relationship without disagreements. It's a relationship where you can navigate challenges in healthier, more connected ways.
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Your first sessions provide an opportunity to discuss what brought you to therapy, understand the concerns affecting your relationship, and identify what you hope will change.
As therapy progresses, your clinician will help you explore relationship patterns and work toward your goals.
The approach and length of treatment will depend on your circumstances and the therapist you're working with.
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Some couples benefit from longer, concentrated sessions rather than traditional weekly appointments.
Our Marathon Therapy service provides an extended format for couples who need dedicated time to address significant relationship challenges.
Explore Marathon Therapy
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Couples therapy is $180-200 per one hour session, depending on your clinician, and is offered on a private-pay basis.
Relationship-focused couples therapy is generally not billed to insurance because insurance coverage is typically tied to medically necessary treatment of a mental health condition.
If you have questions about fees or insurance, please reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Couples therapy generally involves both partners, although your therapist can discuss the appropriate format for your circumstances.
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Therapy can provide a structured place to explore difficult questions about your relationship without assuming a particular outcome.
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Yes. Virtual couples therapy is available to clients located in Oregon.
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There is no universal timeline. The frequency and duration of therapy depend on your goals, concerns, and progress.
We do not believe in perpetual therapy and work towards the goal of finishing therapy when appropriate.
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Our standard session is about 55 minutes long. Some couples find that 2 hours works better for them, which is something that can be discussed with your therapist.
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Couples therapy is a “get what you give” process. Your therapist cannot fix your relationship for you, it will take work from both people to make the changes.
Oftentimes we tackle topics you have been trying to resolve for years. Just having another person there to reframe concepts is enough to make both people feel heard, and thus move into a space where change is possible.