Couples Counseling & Relationship Therapy
Helping Couples Communicate, Reconnect, and Heal
Relationships are hard—even when there is love. If you and your partner feel stuck in the same arguments, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward together, couples counseling can help you slow things down, understand what’s happening beneath the conflict, and rebuild a stronger connection.
At Better at Relationships, we provide compassionate, evidence-based couples counseling and relationship therapy for couples who want more clarity, closeness, and emotional safety in their relationship.
Couples Counseling That Focuses on Understanding — Not Blame
Many couples come to counseling feeling frustrated, exhausted, or misunderstood. Often, the problem isn’t a lack of effort or commitment—it’s that the patterns you’re caught in no longer work.
Couples counseling can help with:
Ongoing conflict or communication breakdowns
Feeling emotionally disconnected or distant
Rebuilding trust after hurt, betrayal, or infidelity
Parenting stress or disagreements
Anxiety, stress, or life transitions affecting the relationship
Premarital counseling and preparation for marriage
Rather than assigning fault, relationship therapy focuses on understanding how your relationship works, what each partner needs, and how to respond to one another in healthier ways.
My Approach to Couples Therapy:
My work is grounded in attachment-based and relational approaches to couples counseling. This means we focus on:
Emotional safety and connection
Understanding each partner’s experience
Identifying unhelpful interaction cycles
Building new ways of communicating and responding
Couples therapy is not about deciding who is right or wrong—it’s about helping both partners feel seen, heard, and supported.
What to Expect in Couples Counseling
In couples counseling sessions, you can expect a structured, supportive space where:
Both partners have time to share their perspective
Patterns of conflict are gently identified
Emotional needs are clarified
Practical communication tools are introduced
Progress happens at a pace that feels manageable
Many couples attend between 8–20 sessions, depending on their goals and the complexity of the issues they’re facing.
In-Person & Online Couples Counseling
We offer couples counseling both in-person in Frisco, Texas, and anywhere in Texas through secure online sessions, making therapy accessible whether you prefer face-to-face meetings or the convenience of telehealth.
Is Couples Counseling Right for You?
Couples counseling may be a good fit if:
You care about the relationship but feel stuck
Conversations escalate quickly or shut down entirely
You want tools—not just venting
You’re willing to reflect on your own role in the relationship
You want help before problems become unmanageable
You do not have to be in crisis to benefit from couples therapy.
Start Couples Counseling Today
If you’re ready to work toward a healthier, more connected relationship, couples counseling can help you take that next step.
👉 Schedule a consultation to learn more about couples counseling at Better at Relationships and see if it’s the right fit for you.
As a marriage and family therapist, these are some of the questions I hear every day. If you have asked yourself, or someone else these questions, you’re not alone, and you’re definitely in the right place. Why is it that our most cherished relationships feel so hard?
Humans are hard wired to connect with each other. When this goes well and we feel connected, life is good. But when we are disconnected, we feel pain, loneliness, sadness and rejection from the very person we desire the most.
Relationships are challenging, and they stretch us in ways that often do not feel great. I work with couples and individuals experiencing relationship challenges to help you find your connection again.
Whether you’ve been together one year or 50, relationship struggles can creep in and sabotage the connection you once felt. I can help you build a better relationship together.
If you’re feeling disconnected, or just feeling “stuck”, couple’s counseling is for you.
Infidelity & Betrayal Trauma
Deconstructed Faith, Faith Transitions, & Mixed Faith Marriages
Parenting Differences
Sex, Desire & Intimacy
Addiction & Mental Illness
Life Changes: New Baby, Empty-Nesting, Retirement, etc.
ADHD or other Neurodivergent Partners
Premarital Counseling
Services
Most couples would describe the problems in their relationship as communication issues. I have found that the “communication issues” are often the symptom that identifies that there is something deeper that needs to be addressed. Getting to those deep issues, and re-setting the patterns that are keeping you disconnected is challenging work - especially if you’re not communicating well. Couple’s counseling can help you identify the source of the problem and will give you tools and insights of how you can work together for a better relationship.
Couple’s counseling is available in-person or virtual & is booked for 80 minutes.
It only takes ONE to start to make changes that will impact your relationships. If you’re struggling in your relationship and want support, or if you feel stuck and your partner is not willing to do couples counseling with you, individual counseling can help you find peace amid the discomfort.
Individual sessions available in-person or virtual and are booked for 50 minutes.
Start your relationship off on the right foot! Many of the relational challenges that occur later on in marriage are due to patterns developed early on. Premarital counseling is the wedding gift you can give to yourself or someone you love.
Premarital counseling is available online or in-person, and is booked as an 80 minute session.
Hello!
I’m Marilee, and as your counselor, I bring a lifetime of learning and experience with families to the counseling room.
I am passionate about the marriage relationship and I know how critical it is to individual and family well-being. But relationships can be hard, even with the people you love.. I recognize the pain that comes from when our reality doesn't meet our expectations, and I love helping clients see new possibilities for their relationship.
In addition to counseling, I have a Masters of Science in Family Studies and am an adjunct professor in the Educational Psychology department at the University of North Texas. Along with Parenting and Child Development, my favorite course to teach is Courtship & Marriage which focuses on relationships, and how they thrive when they are based on a foundation of trust, commitment, good communication, repair skills, and grace. It is this course which ultimately inspired me to pursue a second master's degree in Marriage & Family Therapy.
Married for more than 3 decades, I am mom to four 'grown and flown' kids and “Rara” to 5 grandchildren whom I adore. When I’m not at work I enjoy pickleball, paddleboarding, home renovation, travel and spending time with friends and family.
About Marilee
Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Counseling
What is couples counseling?
Couples counseling is a form of therapy that helps partners better understand their relationship patterns, improve communication, and strengthen emotional connection. Rather than focusing on blame, couples counseling creates space for both partners to feel heard, supported, and more capable of navigating challenges together.
What issues does couples counseling help with?
Couples counseling can help with a wide range of relationship concerns, including:
Communication breakdowns or frequent conflict
Feeling emotionally disconnected or distant
Rebuilding trust after hurt, betrayal, or infidelity
Parenting disagreements and family stress
Anxiety, stress, or major life transitions affecting the relationship
Premarital counseling and relationship preparation
How long does couples counseling usually take?
Many couples attend between 8 and 20 sessions, depending on their goals, the complexity of the challenges they’re facing, and how consistently new skills are practiced outside of sessions. Some couples benefit from shorter-term work, while others choose ongoing support.
What do I do if my partner won’t come to therapy?
While it is recommended that both partners work together to resolve relationships issues, if your partner won’t come to couple’s therapy, you can come on your own. You can make changes to how you are showing up in the relationship that can impact the relationship for good.
Do both partners need to attend every session?
Yes. Couples counseling is most effective when both partners attend sessions together. In some cases, individual sessions may be recommended as part of the overall counseling process, but the primary focus remains on working together as a couple.
Is couples counseling only for relationships in crisis?
No. Many couples seek counseling before problems escalate. Couples counseling can help strengthen communication, deepen emotional connection, and prevent small issues from becoming larger, more painful patterns over time.
Do you offer online couples counseling?
Yes. We offer secure online couples counseling sessions to anyone within the state of Texas, as well as in-person appointments in our Frisco, Texas, office. This allows couples to choose the format that best fits their schedules, comfort level, and location.
What is the difference between couples counseling and marriage counseling?
The terms couples counseling and marriage counseling are often used interchangeably. Both focus on helping partners improve their relationship, whether they are married, engaged, or in a long-term partnership.
Let’s Connect!
Are you Interested in working together? Do you have questions?
I know that trusting someone with some of the most private aspects of your life can feel really vulnerable.
Let’s connect and see if we’re a good fit.
Fill out the info box on the right and I will be in touch shortly about scheduling a free 15 minute consultation.
I look forward to hearing from you!