Individual or Couples Therapy?
A relationship problem can affect you deeply as an individual. That does not automatically tell you whether to begin alone or together. The format should match the work you want to do and the people who are willing and able to participate.
A consultation with Shoreline can help you explain the question without having to choose the right therapy label first.
Maybe this sounds familiar
01
You want help with your own reactions.
02
You both want to change a shared pattern.
03
Only one partner is ready to participate.
04
You are unsure how privacy works across formats.
01 · Understand
Consider the focus of the work
Individual therapy gives you space to work on your own experience, patterns and decisions. Couples therapy brings both partners into work on the relationship. An individual clinician cannot fully assess or treat an absent partner through your account alone.
You might want to discuss anxiety, boundaries or a life transition individually. You might want joint support for recurring arguments or connection. Sometimes these concerns overlap, and the clinician can discuss how roles and coordination would be handled.
02 · Practice
Be clear about expectations
It is worth asking who the client is in each arrangement, how privacy is discussed and what happens if the focus changes. Do not assume a therapist can switch from treating one person to treating the couple without a conversation about the implications.
If one partner does not want joint work, individual support may still be worth considering for the person seeking it. If safety is a concern, discuss that privately before assuming couples sessions are appropriate.
03 · Choose Your Next Step
A practical fit conversation
Ongoing couples support is listed with Holly Whitmore, Emily Chen, Misty Goldenberg and Nicola Loretto. Their approaches differ, so you can ask how they work with your particular concern rather than choose by a method name alone.
A free 15 minute phone consultation can help clarify availability, session format and next steps. Describe the broad concern and any provider preference. Keep detailed personal or health information for the practice's approved clinical process.
A therapist who fits you
These clinicians offer the related service. Availability and the right approach for your situation are part of the consultation.
Holly Whitmore
MA, LMFT
Gottman couples therapy and IFS
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Emily Chen
AMFT
EFT, attachment and inner child work
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Misty Goldenberg
AMFT
EMDR, perinatal and couples work
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Nicola Loretto
MA, AMFT
Grief, identity and Gottman couples work
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Dina Abdelaal
AMFT
Trauma and PTSD, in English and Spanish
View profile
Aidé Merito
AMFT, APCC
Teens, identity and trauma, in English and Spanish
View profileFees in brief
We are in network with Aetna (PPO and EPO plans only), Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum and Blue Shield of California. Not every clinician is in network with every plan.
Seeing someone out of network? We provide superbills you can submit for reimbursement.
Rates and insuranceLicensed therapist
$180
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Associate therapist
$150
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Questions before you begin
Can I use individual therapy to make my partner change?
Individual work focuses on you and the choices available to you. It cannot guarantee another person's behavior or substitute for their direct participation in treatment.
How do I ask about this service?
Tell the practice the broad kind of support you are seeking, your language preference and whether you have a clinician in mind. Fit, availability and any fee or insurance arrangement need to be confirmed before an appointment.
A small first step
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss provider fit, availability and the next step. Keep personal and health details out of an ordinary website inquiry. Ongoing sessions are offered by video within California.
Explore Couples TherapyKeep exploring
When You Keep Having the Same Fight
Explore recurring arguments, communication patterns and finding a couples therapist who fits your relationship.
When You Feel Like Roommates
You coordinate groceries, bills and calendars. You might work well as a team, yet miss feeling like partners.
Make room for a different conversation
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation. We'll help you consider provider fit and next steps.