Couples Therapy
Couples therapy and marriage counseling in Westport, CT and New York City. A safe, structured space to rebuild connection and move forward together.
Schedule a Free ConsultationFor Couples
Every relationship goes through difficult seasons. Sometimes the distance grows slowly, through missed bids for connection, unresolved arguments, or the quiet accumulation of unspoken needs. Other times, a specific event shakes the foundation. Whatever brought you here, the fact that you are looking for support is meaningful.
I work with couples who are ready to do things differently. My approach is not about assigning blame or keeping score. It is about helping both partners understand the patterns that keep them stuck, access the parts of themselves that get activated in conflict, and build new ways of relating that actually hold. I draw on Internal Family Systems (IFS), Structural Family Therapy, EMDR, and cognitive-behavioral tools to meet each couple where they are.
Most of the patterns that show up in relationships are not choices. They are nervous system responses, learned in earlier relationships and activated under stress. One partner pursues, the other withdraws. One floods with emotion, the other shuts down. These are not character flaws. They are protective strategies that made sense once but no longer serve you now. Understanding where these patterns come from is the first step toward changing them, and toward building the kind of connection you both want.
The goal of couples therapy is not to fix one person or save a relationship at any cost. It is to help both partners show up more fully, communicate more honestly, and decide together what they want to build.
Is This You?
Conversations turn into arguments. Small disagreements escalate quickly, or one of you has stopped engaging altogether. You feel like you are speaking different languages, and the more you try to explain, the further apart you get.
The logistics of life have taken over. You co-manage a household, maybe children, but the emotional connection has faded. There is no hostility, just a quiet distance that neither of you knows how to close.
An affair, a betrayal, a pattern of dishonesty. The rupture is real, and so is the pain. You are not sure whether repair is possible, but you are not ready to walk away without trying.
A new baby, a career change, a move, a loss. The relationship that worked before does not seem to fit the life you are living now. You need to renegotiate who you are as a couple.
One or both of you is wondering whether to stay. You may feel guilty, confused, or exhausted. You want to make the decision from a clear place, not a reactive one, and you want to know you tried.
Not every couple comes to therapy in crisis. Some want to deepen their connection, improve how they handle conflict, or build a stronger foundation before challenges arise. That is a powerful reason to begin.
How It Works
Many couples put off therapy because they are not sure what to expect. Here is how the process works so you can feel prepared and confident from the start.
We start with a free 15-minute phone call. This is a chance to share what is going on, ask questions, and get a sense of whether we are the right fit. There is no pressure and no commitment.
The first session is together. I want to understand your relationship: how you met, what brought you in, and what each of you hopes to get from therapy. We begin mapping the patterns that are keeping you stuck.
I then meet with each partner individually. These sessions allow me to understand your personal history, attachment style, and the internal experiences that show up in your relationship without the other partner present. This is where the deeper picture takes shape.
We reconvene and I share what I have learned. Together, we identify the core dynamics at play, set clear goals, and build a roadmap for the work ahead. You will leave this session knowing exactly what we are working on and why.
This is where real change happens. Using IFS parts work, Structural Family Therapy, EMDR for trauma that affects the relationship, and CBT/DBT communication tools, we address the patterns you identified together. Sessions are collaborative, grounded, and focused on building skills you can use outside the therapy room.
The goal is not indefinite therapy. It is equipping you with the understanding, skills, and confidence to navigate your relationship on your own. As progress builds, we space sessions further apart and eventually transition to check-ins as needed.
How I Work With Couples
When conflict escalates, it is rarely the whole person responding. It is a protective part, one that learned long ago to defend, withdraw, or control in order to stay safe. IFS helps both partners recognize these parts, understand where they come from, and access the grounded, compassionate Self underneath. This is where real shifts happen: not by arguing better, but by showing up differently. My Level 3 training in IFS means I bring deep expertise in parts work, allowing couples to access lasting change at the root of their patterns.
Past experiences, whether from childhood, previous relationships, or within the current partnership, can leave imprints that get activated in the present. A tone of voice, a look, a moment of silence can provoke a response far bigger than the situation warrants. EMDR helps process these stuck memories so they stop hijacking the relationship. For couples dealing with betrayal, trust rupture, or patterns rooted in earlier trauma, this work can be transformative.
Every relationship has a structure: spoken and unspoken rules about who does what, who holds power, and how closeness and distance are managed. When that structure is not working, it creates chronic friction. Structural Family Therapy helps couples see and reshape these dynamics, creating a more balanced, flexible partnership where both people have room to be themselves.
Some of the most practical progress in couples therapy comes from learning specific skills: how to make a repair after a fight, how to express a need in a way your partner can actually hear, how to sit with discomfort instead of reacting to it. I draw on cognitive-behavioral and dialectical-behavioral tools to give couples concrete strategies they can use between sessions and long after therapy ends.
An Accelerated Option
A couples therapy intensive is a concentrated, extended session format designed to create meaningful progress in a fraction of the time. Rather than weekly sessions spread across months, you and your partner spend dedicated, uninterrupted time doing the deep work that matters, all in a single day.
Before the intensive, I conduct a thorough assessment so I arrive with a clear understanding of your relationship and a tailored plan. During the session, we move through understanding your patterns, doing the deeper emotional and relational work, building practical skills, and creating a forward plan. Follow-up sessions are available to reinforce your progress.
This is not a last resort or a sign that your relationship is in crisis. Many couples choose intensives as a focused, high-investment experience, the relationship equivalent of working with a private coach rather than attending a group class.
Why Work With Megan
Common Questions
If you are reading this page, there is a good chance it is. Couples therapy is not only for relationships in crisis. It is for any couple that wants to communicate better, feel more connected, or work through a challenge they have not been able to resolve on their own. A free consultation is the best way to find out whether it is the right step for you.
This is one of the most common concerns I hear. It is okay if your partner is hesitant. Sometimes one partner is more ready than the other. I am happy to speak with you individually first to discuss what is going on and explore options. In many cases, a reluctant partner becomes more open once they understand what the process actually involves and that the therapist will not take sides.
It depends on what you are working on. Some couples see meaningful shifts within 8 to 12 sessions. Others with more complex dynamics or longstanding patterns may benefit from longer-term work. We set clear goals early and revisit them regularly so the process stays focused and purposeful. The intensive format is also available for couples who want accelerated progress.
No. My role is not to be a referee or determine who is right. I am here to help both partners feel heard, understand each other's perspective, and identify the patterns that are keeping the relationship stuck. Both of you will be challenged and supported in equal measure.
I understand that therapy is a significant investment of time, energy, and money. What I can tell you is that unresolved relationship problems do not improve on their own, and the cost of not addressing them, whether emotional, relational, or financial, tends to grow over time. Couples therapy gives you tools and understanding that last well beyond the sessions themselves.
In practice, the terms are used interchangeably. I work with married couples, unmarried partners, and couples at any stage of their relationship. The approach is the same: understanding your unique dynamics, addressing what is not working, and building skills for a healthier partnership.
Yes. I offer secure telehealth sessions for couples in Connecticut, New York, Florida, Vermont, and South Carolina. Many couples find virtual sessions convenient and effective, especially when coordinating two busy schedules. In-person sessions are available at my Westport, CT and New York City offices.
A couples therapy intensive is an extended session format where you and your partner spend dedicated, concentrated time working on your relationship in a single day rather than across weeks of hourly sessions. I conduct a thorough assessment beforehand and arrive with a tailored plan. It is ideal for busy professionals, couples who feel stuck in weekly therapy, or partners who want meaningful progress in a defined timeframe. Reach out to learn more.
The first session is a chance for all of us to get to know each other. I will ask about your relationship history, what brought you in, and what each of you hopes to get from therapy. It is conversational, not interrogative. My goal is to create a space where both partners feel comfortable and heard from the very beginning.
Take the Next Step
Research consistently shows that the relationship between therapist and client is one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy. That is why I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation before we begin. It is a chance for you to ask questions, share what is going on, and get a sense of whether working together feels right. There is no pressure and no obligation.
You can fill out the form, call me directly, or send an email. All inquiries are confidential.
All inquiries are confidential.
I have received your inquiry and will get back to you within 24 business hours. If you need to reach me sooner, please call 203-842-8601.
Get in Touch
Whether you are ready to begin or still deciding, I am here to help. A free 15-minute consultation is the easiest way to start.
Call 203-842-8601