Couples Therapy in Silverlake, Los Angeles
In-person couples therapy in Los Angeles
Virtual couples therapy in New York and the rest of California
Why Couples Therapy?
Do you ever find yourself longing for a closer, more fulfilling connection with your partner? Maybe you notice other relationships and wonder how to bring more joy, ease, and understanding into your own. You’re not alone — many couples share these same questions.
It’s common for relationships to hit roadblocks: conflict that doesn’t get resolved, distance or disconnection, hurt feelings, fading commitment, or patterns of miscommunication that seem to repeat no matter what you try. Over time, daily routines and unhelpful dynamics can chip away at the bond you once shared.
Even one session of couples therapy can provide clarity — helping you see where the challenges lie, what steps might be most helpful, and how you and your partner can start moving forward together.
In my experience, it’s often one partner who first reaches out for help. Sometimes that begins with individual therapy, which can then lead naturally into couples work. Either way, taking that first step is an act of courage.
I also know that starting couples therapy can feel intimidating, and getting your partner on board can be its own challenge. My role is to make that process as approachable, supportive, and constructive as possible.
Does any of this feel familiar in your relationship?
Frequent arguments, growing distance, fading commitment, unresolved hurt, or breakdowns in communication
The same fights repeating over and over, fueled by daily stress and unhealthy patterns
One partner’s needs or priorities shifting, leaving the other feeling confused, unseen, or alone
Life transitions — such as parenting, career changes, or family pressures — making conflict and communication even harder to manage
Difficulty talking openly about sex, intimacy, or unmet needs without fear of judgment or rejection
When these issues build up, communication can break down, trust can erode, and the safe space between you may start to disappear.
If so, it might be time to explore couples therapy
Even from the very first session, many couples begin to communicate more effectively, gain new tools, and reconnect with a sense of commitment to each other.
Couples therapy offers a safe, supportive space to explore what you both need in order to move forward — whether that means repairing and strengthening your bond or finding clarity about whether to part ways. The process can help you better understand your patterns, improve the quality of your communication, and build the foundation for deeper intimacy and trust.
This work doesn’t have to be long-term. Couples and Family Counseling can be brief and solution-focused, offering a wider perspective on each person’s experience within the relationship. Because no two couples or families are the same, therapy is always shaped by your cultural, linguistic, and spiritual values.
My commitment is to provide care that is respectful, empowering, and culturally sensitive — never shaming or demeaning. My goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment where you and your partner can speak freely, discover new ways of connecting, and cultivate the intimacy and support you both deserve.
How Relationship Counseling in Los Angeles Can Help
Research consistently shows that couples therapy is effective — studies indicate that about 70% of couples benefit from treatment (Lebow J, Chambers A, Christensen A, Johnson S. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2012).
We also know that relationship struggles are closely connected to individual challenges like anxiety and depression. Addressing the relationship directly not only strengthens the bond between partners, but can also improve overall emotional well-being.
Some of the ways couples therapy can support you include:
Creating space for both partners to express themselves openly and learn healthier communication skills
Building safety and trust to be more vulnerable and honest with each other
Developing greater compassion and understanding around the issues causing conflict
Strengthening commitment and rebuilding a sense of partnership
Rekindling romance and deepening intimacy
In cities like Los Angeles and New York, where stress, ambition, and fast-paced living can strain even the strongest connections, couples therapy offers a chance to slow down, reconnect, and create the kind of relationship you both want to thrive in.
Meet Marcus Brittain Fleming | Los Angeles Couples Therapist
As a therapist, my priority is to truly understand you—what matters most in your life, your relationship, and how you communicate. Together, we’ll uncover the values and goals that guide your partnership. I provide a safe, supportive space where you can process openly and make choices that feel authentic and meaningful. My clients can expect genuine compassion, attentive listening, and thoughtful care informed by nearly a decade of experience. My approach is personable and relatable, so you can engage with my perspective without it ever feeling overly clinical or detached
My Approach to Los Angeles Couples Therapy
My work with couples is guided by Relational Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). These evidence-based approaches allow me to address both the deeper emotional patterns that shape relationships and the practical skills couples need to thrive.
Relational Psychodynamic Approach
This approach emphasizes the importance of early experiences, attachment, and unconscious dynamics that influence how we relate to our partners today. By exploring these patterns in a safe, supportive environment, couples can gain greater insight into their behaviors, emotional triggers, and expectations of one another.
Helps couples recognize and shift repeating conflict cycles rooted in past experiences.
Promotes deeper empathy and understanding between partners.
Builds a stronger foundation for emotional intimacy and trust.
Research has shown that psychodynamic approaches to couple therapy can improve relationship satisfaction and reduce distress by helping couples understand and work through underlying conflicts (Shedler, J. [2010]. The efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy. American Psychologist, 65(2), 98–109).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT provides couples with concrete tools to change negative thought patterns and communication habits that damage relationships.
Teaches couples how to reframe unhelpful thinking that fuels conflict.
Introduces structured communication techniques to improve dialogue and reduce misunderstandings.
Equips partners with strategies to manage stress, rebuild trust, and strengthen commitment.
Meta-analyses consistently show CBT to be one of the most effective, evidence-based treatments for couples experiencing relational distress (Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. [2012]. The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36, 427–440).
The Value of an Integrated Approach
By combining these approaches, couples receive the best of both worlds:
Depth + Practical Tools: Explore the “why” behind patterns while learning actionable strategies to create change.
Insight + Skills: Foster greater self-awareness while practicing new ways of relating.
Healing + Growth: Resolve past wounds while building a healthier, more resilient relationship in the present.
Research supports that integrative models, blending insight-oriented and skills-based approaches, can yield strong and lasting outcomes for couples (Lebow, J., Chambers, A., Christensen, A., & Johnson, S. [2012]. Research on the treatment of couple distress. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38(1), 145–168).
Bottom Line
My approach is not about quick fixes—it’s about helping you and your partner understand each other more deeply, change destructive patterns, and create a relationship that feels supportive, loving, and sustainable.
With the right support, your relationship has the chance to deepen, heal, and flourish.
As a therapist, my first priority is to truly get to know you — to understand what matters most in your life and in your relationships. I listen closely, with curiosity and presence, so that together we can uncover your unique language and the values that guide you.
In our work, I strive to create a safe, supportive space where you and your partner can process openly and make choices that feel authentic and meaningful. My clients can expect genuine compassion, thoughtful care, and a collaborative approach.
With nearly a decade of experience, I bring both professionalism and relatability into the therapy room. My goal is to offer insights in a way that feels grounded and approachable — never cold, overly clinical, or out of reach.