A free consultation is not a miniature therapy session and it is not a sales call. It is a short, private conversation to understand the broad situation, answer practical questions, and decide whether concentrated time offers a responsible next step.
The purpose is clarity
When a relationship has been tense or distant for a long time, it can be hard to know what kind of help would actually be useful. Couples sometimes arrive wondering whether an intensive is too much, not enough, or simply different from what they have tried before. The consultation gives us room to slow down and sort through that question.
I will ask about what brings you in, what you hope could change, where you are located, and whether an in-person or virtual format is realistic. I am listening for patterns, goals, and practical needs—not asking you to tell your full story in one short call.
We talk about fit and safety
A key part of consultation is determining whether shared couples work is appropriate. If there is active or recent violence, a couples intensive is not appropriate. Safety has to be addressed directly; it cannot be treated as an ordinary conflict issue.
We also consider whether both partners can participate freely, whether the timing is manageable, and whether a focused one-day or deeper two-day format makes sense. Sometimes the responsible recommendation is a different referral path. Clarity is more valuable than trying to make every situation fit one service.
We cover the practical details
A consultation is the right time to ask about location, scheduling, fees, preparation, and what happens after an intensive. In-person options are available in Virginia and South Carolina. Virtual intensives are available for clients located in Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Virginia.
I can also explain the private-pay structure, the $500 non-refundable deposit, and the CareCredit financing option available for eligible clients. Those details should be clear before you decide, not discovered after you are emotionally invested in a plan.
You do not need to prepare a perfect summary
It can help to know the one or two concerns you most want to address, but you do not need a polished explanation. Many couples have been repeating the same conversation for so long that they are tired of trying to summarize it. We can begin with what feels most urgent and build from there.
For privacy, please use the consultation and secure scheduling process rather than standard email for sensitive clinical details. Email is best kept to general questions about availability or logistics.
What happens next
If an intensive is a good fit, we discuss the next steps for scheduling and preparation. That preparation helps us use the selected format well; it is not busywork. If the format is not the right fit, I will explain why and help you identify a practical next step.
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with master's and doctoral training in Marriage and Family Therapy, licensed in Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. The consultation is the beginning of a careful clinical decision, not a promise about the outcome of your relationship.
Common Questions
Questions couples often ask.
Do we both need to attend the consultation?
It is usually most helpful when both partners can attend, because the decision affects both of you. If that is not possible, ask about the best next step when you schedule.
How long is the consultation?
The consultation is a brief 15-minute conversation designed to clarify fit, answer questions, and discuss the practical next step.
Should we send our history by email before the call?
No. Please keep standard email for general scheduling and logistics. The consultation is the better place to discuss sensitive relationship or clinical information.
Talk It Through
Start with a private consultation.
We can discuss whether concentrated time offers something meaningfully different from what you have already tried, along with fit, location, and the practical next step.
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