Dr. Westberg PhD, LMFT
Book Now
Marisol G. Westberg

— couples counseling

Helping couples build deeper, more lasting connection

With over 20 years of experience, I work with couples facing relational conflict, communication breakdowns, desire discrepancies, sexual trauma, and infidelity — helping them rebuild trust and intimacy on their own terms.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT
Couples counseling

— what I work with

Even strong relationships hit hard patches

Couples counseling isn’t a last resort. It’s what you do when you want to address something before it becomes something bigger — or when you’re already in it and need someone who knows how to help you through.

I work with couples at all stages — from early conflict patterns to long-standing disconnection, from navigating infidelity to rebuilding after years of distance. I specialize in the intersection of relationship and sexual issues, which is where most couples counselors feel less equipped.

Communication breakdown Desire discrepancy Infidelity & betrayal Relational conflict Sexual trauma Alternative relationship structures Non-monogamy Trust rebuilding Sexless relationships LGBTQ+ couples

— what we work on

The core of the work

01

Conflict resolution

The goal isn’t to stop having arguments — it’s to stop having the same argument in the same way. Conflict is inevitable in any close relationship. How you handle it is what determines whether it erodes the connection or deepens it.

In therapy, we work on active listening, finding common ground, and learning to take breaks before conversations escalate past the point where anything useful can happen. The aim is for both partners to feel like they’re on the same team rather than opposing sides.

02

Communication

Communication isn’t just about saying more — it’s about being heard. Many couples talk a great deal and still feel profoundly misunderstood. What usually gets in the way isn’t a lack of words but a lack of emotional attunement: not reading the feeling underneath what’s being said, or not saying the feeling at all.

We work on expressing needs clearly without blame, managing emotions well enough to stay present in difficult conversations, and learning to check assumptions rather than react to them. When both partners feel genuinely heard, the dynamic shifts.

03

Trust

Trust is built slowly and damaged quickly — and when it’s been broken by infidelity, betrayal, or years of small disappointments, rebuilding it requires more than good intentions. It requires consistency, accountability, and a willingness to stay in the discomfort of repair rather than moving past it too fast.

In therapy, we work on what trust actually looks like in practice — not just the absence of dishonesty, but the presence of emotional safety. That means creating an environment where both partners feel secure enough to be honest, vulnerable, and genuinely themselves.

— therapeutic approaches

Evidence-based methods I draw from

I don’t use a single model. Every couple is different, and the approach that works is the one that fits your specific dynamic, history, and goals.

EFT

Emotionally Focused Therapy

Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT focuses on the emotional attachment bonds between partners — identifying the negative cycles that pull couples apart and building the secure connection underneath. Research shows 70–75% of couples move from distress to recovery.

Gottman Method

Gottman Couples Therapy

Based on decades of relationship research by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. The method uses structured assessment and specific interventions to improve communication, increase intimacy, and reduce destructive conflict patterns. Particularly effective for high-conflict couples.

CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Addresses the negative thought patterns that drive problematic behavior — helping couples recognize cognitive distortions about each other and build healthier interaction patterns.

Imago

Imago Relationship Therapy

Explores how early experiences shape expectations in adult relationships. Uses structured dialogue — mirroring, validating, empathizing — to help partners move from blame to understanding.

Narrative

Narrative Therapy

Focuses on the stories couples tell about their relationship — externalizing problems so partners can address them together, and creating new narratives that support growth rather than blame.

— how to choose

How to choose a couples therapist

Not every therapist is equipped for couples work — and not every couples therapist is equipped for sexual issues. Here’s what to look for.

01

Specifically trained in couples therapy — an MFT degree is a good signal

02

Experience with relational trauma, not just communication issues

03

Comfortable addressing sexual issues directly — most couples therapists aren’t

04

Works with emotional, cognitive, relational, and behavioral dimensions together

05

Skilled in conflict resolution, not just exploration

06

Experience with diverse relationships — LGBTQ+, non-monogamous, culturally varied

07

Therapeutic style that fits your needs — ask before booking

08

Experience with long-standing issues, not just acute crises

09

Flexible approach — focused on what works for you, not a rigid model

10

Personal connection — you should feel genuinely understood, not managed

— prefer to start at home?

Reignite the Spark

My intensive online course for couples covers the same core work as therapy — 10 modules, 24 hours of content, and practical exercises to work through together at home. A more affordable starting point, at a fraction of the cost of weekly sessions.

✓

10 modules — desire, pressure, communication, trust, emotional regulation

✓

24 hours of audio plus 10 worksheets to work through together

✓

Equivalent to over 12 hours of couples therapy

✓

Self-paced — work through it on your own schedule

— ready to begin?

Let’s work on this
together

Schedule a session and leave your first appointment with a clear picture of what’s happening in your relationship and a path forward that makes sense for both of you.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT