Relationship
Coaching
Translating insights into sustainable, real-world behaviors.
Why Relationship Counseling Matters
Relationships are dynamic systems where feelings, expectations, and behaviors continuously influence one another. Whether you are in a marriage, a committed partnership, or a dating relationship, unresolved issues—communication breakdowns, mismatched expectations, sexual or emotional dissatisfaction, and trust concerns—can undermine relationship satisfaction. Relationship counseling provides a structured space to examine the patterns that interfere with connection, learn new interaction tools, and align expectations and goals to build a healthier partnership.
Our relationship counseling approach
Struggling Couples - Michael Borash LPC uses an integrative approach that combines emotionally focused techniques, cognitive-behavioral tools, and practical skill-building. Relationship counseling is tailored specifically to the couple’s stage and issues:
Assessment
A comprehensive evaluation of how partners relate, communicate, and respond under stress.
Skill training
Practical techniques for listening, expressing needs without blame, and negotiating repairs.
Structural changes
Guidance for creating routines, boundaries, and agreements that support stability.
Contextual factors
Addressing external stressors—work, finances, family—that impact relationship health.
What we mean by coaching
Relationship coaching at Struggling Couples - Michael Borash LPC involves targeted, action-oriented work that helps clients:
Key benefits of relationship counseling
Better conflict management with less reactivity
Clearer mutual expectations and agreements
Greater emotional attunement and empathy between partners
Improved sexual and emotional intimacy through respectful exploration
Skills for navigating transitions and building shared meaning
Practical, stage-sensitive interventions
- Early-stage relationships: Focus on alignment, boundaries, and managing expectations.
- Established partnerships: Address long-term patterns, role changes, and emotional drift.
- Rebuilding after breach: Apply trust-repair protocols and structured accountability measures.
- Co-parenting and family integration: Strategies to maintain unity and reduce conflict spillover.
Typical session flow
- Relationship check-in and goal review
- Identify the most pressing pattern or conflict
- Teach and practice specific communication or regulation techniques
- Assign targeted homework to consolidate learning at home
- Summary and next steps
Special considerations for diverse relationship structures
We work with couples of all configurations: married, cohabiting, same-sex, polyamorous arrangements (with adaptations), and long-distance partnerships. Our focus is on the specific dynamics and agreements that make a relationship functional and fulfilling for the people involved.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How early should couples seek counseling?
Counseling is productive at nearly any stage. Seeking help early—before resentment becomes entrenched—often leads to faster improvement. However, even long-term relationships can benefit from targeted intervention.
What if only one partner wants counseling?
Working with the willing partner can still produce change. Individual sessions can also prepare a partner to invite the other into joint work later.
Will we get homework?
Yes. Homework is part of therapy and typically includes communication exercises, behavior experiments, and short reflection tasks to practice between sessions.
What makes our relationship counseling effective
Tailored interventions instead of generic relationship advice
Focus on both emotional connection and behavioral change
Clear, measurable goals and regular reviews of progress
Integration of telehealth for couples with scheduling or geographic challenges
Contact
Provide a brief description of your relationship concerns to help us prioritize initial goals and tailor the first session.
Complete a brief intake questionnaire before your first appointment to help expedite the assessment process.