Couples Therapy on Long Island — Evidence-Based, Same-Week Appointments

Couples therapy that doesn’t wait for the crisis

The data is clear: most couples wait an average of 6 years from when problems start to when they seek help. By that point, repair takes longer.

You don’t have to wait until things are dire. Couples therapy works best — and finishes faster — when you start before patterns become entrenched.

Same-week intake for new couples. In-person at our Southampton office or via telehealth across New York State. Call (631) 371-2718.

What we work on

• Communication patterns — when conversations always seem to escalate or shut down
• Trust repair — after infidelity, dishonesty, or repeated broken commitments
• Sex and intimacy — discrepancies in desire, disconnection, after-baby changes
• Parenting differences — when you’re not aligned on the kids
• Money and life-stage transitions — career changes, relocation, retirement, illness
• Family-of-origin patterns — when you keep replaying patterns from childhood
• Pre-marital work — proactive sessions before marriage or major commitments
• Discernment — when one or both of you isn’t sure whether to stay
• Separation and divorce — when the work is to part well, especially with kids involved

We see couples in long-term relationships, marriages, partnerships of all configurations, and across the full spectrum of identities and orientations.

How we work

Two evidence-based modalities, integrated:

Gottman Method — based on 40+ years of research on what predicts relationship outcomes. Practical tools for managing conflict, building intimacy, and shifting the patterns that erode connection. Particularly strong for stuck or hostile dynamics.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) — accesses the emotions underneath the surface arguments. Strong evidence for restoring emotional connection. Particularly effective for couples who are disengaged or chronically avoiding hard conversations.

Most clinicians integrate both. Some couples need more Gottman (skills, structure); others need more EFT (emotion, attachment).

How many sessions does couples therapy take?

Variable, but typical patterns:

• Pre-marital or proactive work:
• Communication and connection issues:
• Trust repair after infidelity: , often over 6-12 months
• Discernment counseling (deciding whether to stay): 5 sessions, structured

Sessions are 50-60 minutes. Frequency starts weekly, sometimes shifting to bi-weekly as work consolidates.

Insurance and couples therapy — important note

Insurance coverage for couples therapy is more limited than individual therapy. Most plans only cover couples therapy when one partner has a billable individual diagnosis (depression, anxiety, etc.) and couples work is part of treating that.

Couples work where neither partner has a diagnosis is typically self-pay.

We can verify your specific situation before booking. In-network with Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Oxford, Northwell Direct.

What about LGBTQ+ couples?

Yes — we work with couples across the full spectrum of orientations, identities, and relationship structures (including ethically non-monogamous relationships when applicable).

Telehealth couples sessions

Telehealth works well for most couples therapy. We’ve seen couples in different locations join from different rooms (or different cities) for the same session. Outcomes are equivalent to in-person for most concerns.

Ready to schedule? Call (631) 371-2718.

Same-week intake. We’ll match you with a clinician trained in evidence-based couples work.

If there is active domestic violence in your relationship, couples therapy may not be appropriate. Please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.