Marriage, Couple’s and Relationship Counseling FAQs

Who is marriage or relationship counseling for?

Marriage, couples or relationship counseling is for anyone who wants a better relationship. Many couples wait until there are large rifts before coming in for counseling, but any couple can benefit from couple’s counseling. Like your car’s engine, regular tune-ups help keep things running smoothly before things become a big problem.

What is marriage or relationship counseling like?

When you first come to the building, you’ll enter the waiting room. Click on my name (Marilee Woodfield) on the I-pad mounted on the wall. That will notify me that you are here, and I’ll come greet you and take you back to the room. In our first sessions we'll explore the "why" behind the relationship struggles you are experiencing. We’ll identify the typical way of interacting, and find insights and build skills to help you create a new pattern together. If you come with your partner, we’ll practice the skills in session so you can start to change the way you are showing up in the relationship.

What if my partner won’t come to counseling with me?

There are many reasons why a partner might be resistant to couple’s counseling. But if your partner won’t come with you, it is recommended that you come by yourself. Change has to start somewhere, and that can start with you!

What do I do if my partner wants out of the relationship, and I don’t?

When one partner wants out of the relationship, it can feel very distressing to the partner who wants to make it work. Together we’ll explore each partner’s reasons for how they see the relationship and together we can get a better understanding of the relationship dynamic.

Will marriage or relationship counseling work for every relationship?

Three things will sabotage your counseling sessions before you ever begin: 1) coming in to “fix” your partner, 2) coming in to “check the box” without any effort or intent to make changes, and 3) waiting too long to get help. To do our very best work, both partners need to be willing and ready to do the work. But don’t let that stop you from taking the first step. Sometimes all it takes is a “safe place” to talk about the relationship to open up interest and possibilities where it seemed that only walls existed before.

Do you take insurance?

No. At this time, all services are private pay.