ABOUT BETTER AT RELATIONSHIPS MARRIAGE COUNSELING
When we create a relationship with someone else, we each bring:
ideas about relationships
our personalities and temperaments
relationship skills
emotional awareness & availability
Then we try to combine them with our partner who has different beliefs, skills and experiences. Through this process, we create patterns of relationship behaviors that often clash with our partner and contradict our own wants and needs in the relationship.
I believe that healing in relationships begins with feeling safe, seen, and supported. My practice was created as a space where we use skills, insight and connection to create better relationships.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN MARRIAGE COUNSELING
(EVEN IF YOUR PARTNER WON’T JOIN YOU)
In couples counseling, you can expect a structured, supportive space where:
Both partners have time to share their perspective
Patterns of conflict and unhelpful behaviors are identified and addressed
Emotional needs are clarified
Practical communication tools and relationship skills are introduced
Many couples attend between 8–20 sessions, depending on their goals, the complexity of the issues they’re facing, and the couple’s willingness to work on the skills inside and outside of the counseling office.
I’ll lovingly challenge you to try new skills, reframe your perspective, and experiment with being vulnerable because that is what is required to create emotional intimacy in relationships.
Meet Marilee
MS, MA, LMFT Associate Supervised by William Don Hebbard, PhD, LMFT-S
Founder, Better At Relationships, Frisco, TX
Couples & Marriage Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Individual Relationship Therapy
Hi, I’m Marilee Woodfield— a therapist, educator, and speaker with a deep interest in relationships across the lifespan. I provide counseling for couples and individuals in person in Frisco, TX, and online anywhere in Texas. In addition to my counseling practice, I enjoy teaching about families and relationships at the University of North Texas, and through the speaking engagements and workshops I facilitate all over Texas. Working with individuals and couples on their relationships is “sacred space” for me, as families, parents and marriages are foundational to human physical, emotional and spiritual development. Strong personal relationships are the single most powerful predictor of long-term health, happiness, and survival, and marriages are the crucible for the development of relationship skills.
In my clinical and educational work, I focus on helping individuals and couples navigate challenging relationship issues such as: rebuilding trust after major ruptures in the relationship such as loss of faith, affairs and betrayal, and managing conflict and communication struggles. The focus of therapy with me will be strengthening emotional safety, building communication and repair skills, and establishing clarity about the relationship you are currently in, and what it will take to create the relationship you want.
We don’t come into our relationships as a blank slate - we bring with us the experiences, beliefs, skills and ideas about relationships from our formative years. We create attachments, and develop protective stances from these foundational experiences. Using concepts from Gottman, EFT, RLT, PACT and other modalities, I tailor the counseling approach for each couple’s unique relationship. We’ll start with understanding the”why” of what is getting in your way, and then generously apply skills, education and insight to support change and growth. You won’t be rehashing the fight of the week, we’ll use your lived experience to learn how to restore, rebuild or reset your relationship.
Marilee has been married for more than 3 decades, mom to four ‘grown and flown’ kids and “RaRa to 5 adorable and amazing grandchildren. Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, she is passionate about creating spaces where honest conversation and personal emotional growth can coexist.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COUPLES COUNSELING
Healing is not linear
I honor that growth takes time, and that every journey looks different. There’s no rush, no “right” way, and no judgment for where you’re starting from.
There will be twists and turns, big strides and small setbacks along the way. Your marriage is as unique as the two of you, and I’ll tailor the protocol to your needs.
Small steps = Big changes
Change in couples happens when small changes in habits, beliefs, or responses happen one small step at a time. Changes in one partner will ultimately compel change in the relationship (which is why I recommend that you come to counseling without your partner if they’re not yet ready for marriage counseling).
How we measure success
Couples therapy is not about deciding who is right or wrong—in fact, even when you are “right”, you’re probably feeling even lonelier and disconnected from your partner than ever. Couple’s counseling is about helping both partners feel seen, heard, and supported, so you can use the insights and tools gained in session to make your relationship better when you go home.
READY TO BEGIN?
Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply ready to try something new, marriage therapy can be a powerful first step. We're here to support you with compassion, curiosity, and care—every step of the way.
Schedule your free consultation or first session today.
You deserve a better relationship.
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STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? REACH OUT!
Starting therapy is a big step—and it’s completely okay to have questions before you begin. Whether you're wondering how sessions work, what approach might be right for you, or just want to see if it feels like a good fit, we're here to support you in making an informed and comfortable decision.