A different way into the same conversation
Couples Therapy by video across California.
When You Keep Having the Same Fight
It starts with dishes, a late text or who is carrying more of the week. A few minutes later, you are having the argument you both know by heart. One of you pushes harder to be understood. The other pulls back. Neither of you feels heard.
At Shoreline, couples work is not about deciding who wins. It is a place to look closely at what happens between you, what each person is trying to communicate, and where the conversation starts going off course. You can bring the real argument rather than a polished version of your relationship.
Maybe this sounds familiar
01
The topic changes, but the ending feels familiar.
02
A small request quickly becomes a list of old disappointments.
03
One partner wants to talk now while the other needs space.
04
You make up, but do not know what to do differently next time.
01 · Understand
Look at the pattern, not only the topic
The practical issue still matters. Therapy does not turn an uneven workload or a broken agreement into a communication exercise and leave it there. Your therapist can help you make room for the issue itself while noticing how each of you responds when the conversation gets tense.
You might look at a recent example together: what happened, what each person understood it to mean, and what each of you needed but could not get across. That gives the work a specific starting point.
02 · Practice
Practice with the conversations you actually have
Our couples work is directive and goal oriented. Depending on your therapist and the fit, sessions may draw on Gottman Method or emotionally focused approaches. You can practice listening, naming a need, setting a boundary and returning to a conversation after a pause.
The aim is not to promise a relationship without disagreement. It is to build a more useful way to handle it and to keep checking whether the work is helping both of you. Your therapist can explain their approach during the consultation.
03 · Choose Your Next Step
Both voices need room
You do not have to agree about every detail before reaching out. It helps to be able to say what you hope will change and what makes talking about it difficult. A consultation gives you space to ask about fit before committing to ongoing sessions.
If either partner feels afraid, controlled or unsafe, say so privately when discussing fit. Couples sessions are not the right starting point for every situation. This website cannot assess safety or provide urgent support.
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
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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
Do we have to know what the real problem is?
No. A recent example and what you each hope will be different are enough to begin a fit conversation. You do not need to diagnose the relationship.
Who at Shoreline works with couples?
Holly Whitmore, Emily Chen, Misty Goldenberg and Nicola Loretto are listed for ongoing couples work. The consultation helps check approach, availability and fit.
Can we meet online?
Shoreline offers telehealth across California. Your therapist will discuss privacy, how to join and whether video sessions fit your circumstances.
Will a therapist tell us who is right?
The work focuses on understanding each person and the pattern between you. You can ask the therapist how they work with disagreement and shared goals.
A small first step
For your free 15 minute phone consultation, tell us you are looking for couples support and whether you have a clinician in mind. Please keep personal or health details out of an ordinary website inquiry.
Explore Couples Therapy
Make room for a different conversation
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation. We'll help you consider provider fit and next steps.