Christian Marriage Counseling Online in California

Marriage Counseling is NOT Failing—It’s Fighting for faithfulness

  • Faith and therapy work together

    Many Christian couples hesitate to seek counseling because it feels like a sign of weak faith or failure. The truth is that seeking wise counsel is an act of humility and love. Scripture reminds us: "Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future" (Proverbs 19:20).

    I'm Sam Wasfi, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (California LMFT #96157) with over 15 years of experience. I welcome Orthodox Christian couples, as well as Catholic and Protestant couples, and I integrate faith with research-based couples therapy. I see couples online anywhere in California, with evening and weekend appointments available.

  • Signs your marriage could use support

    • You keep having the same arguments, and prayer alone hasn't changed the pattern

    • You feel more like roommates than partners in Christ

    • Trust has been broken by an affair, secrets, or hurtful words

    • Stress from work, children, or family has pulled you apart

    • You disagree about faith, church, or how to raise your children

    • You want to strengthen your marriage before problems grow

  • How I work: faith-integrated and research-based

    I combine the two most researched approaches to couples therapy, the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), with a Christian understanding of marriage as a sacred covenant.

    We draw on Scripture, prayer, and the teachings of your church alongside practical tools for communication, conflict management, and rebuilding trust. Faith integration is one of the best ways to using practical tools to live out what you believe.

Schedule a free 20-minute consultation

What to expect in your first three sessions

Session 1, together: We talk about your marriage, what brought you in, and what each of you hopes will change, including the role you'd like faith to play in our work. This is typically a 90 min. session.

Gottman Relationship Checkup: After our first session, you'll each complete the Gottman Relationship Checkup online, a research-based assessment of your relationship's strengths and challenges. It takes about an hour, and you complete it privately and separately.

Session 2, individually: I meet with each of you separately for a deeper look at your personal history, family background, and perspective.

Session 3, together: I review your Gottman Checkup results with you and share a clear road map for our work, including your marriage's strengths and the specific patterns we'll focus on.

What clergy say about working with Sam

  • Rev. Father Michael Maximous, M.A. Theology

    "Sam is a compassionate and skilled Christian marriage and family therapist who integrates faith and professional expertise to help couples and families build strong, healthy relationships. With deep empathy and a commitment to biblical truth, he provides a safe space for couples to heal, improve communication, and strengthen their bond. Whether guiding families through conflict, restoring trust in marriage, or fostering deeper connection, Sam offers wisdom, encouragement, and Christ-centered care that leads to lasting transformation."

  • Rev. Father Kyrillos Ibrahim, M.A. Theology

    "Sam Wasfi is an outstanding Christian therapist that I have referred many congregants to over the past several years. He is extremely knowledgeable, displays a unique depth of understanding the human person in terms of combined traditional Christian anthropology along with the best of contemporary practices, and has a profound sense of compassion towards all his clients. I cannot recommend him highly enough!"

  • Rev. Father Paul B, MFT

    “Sam Wasfi is an exceptional therapist to whom I frequently refer clients. His genuine compassion, deep understanding, and unwavering commitment to care set him apart. With a strong Christian foundation and extensive knowledge and experience in the field, he provides unparalleled support and guidance, making him one of the most trusted professionals in his field.”

Frequently asked questions about Christian marriage counseling

  • No. I welcome Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant couples, and I also work with couples of any faith background or none. I'm especially familiar with Orthodox Christian life and practice.

  • No. Faith integration is always your choice. We bring in Scripture, prayer, or church teaching only as much as you want, and your beliefs are always respected.

  • No. Seeking wise counsel is an act of humility and love. Many faithful couples find that therapy gives them practical tools that strengthen both their marriage and their spiritual life.

  • That's common, and it's something we can work on together. I'll help you understand each other's perspectives with respect, without taking sides.

  • Yes. I respect the role of your priest or pastor. With your written permission, I'm open to coordinating with them to support your marriage.

  • Yes. I offer Christian premarital counseling for engaged couples who want to build a strong, faith-centered foundation for marriage.

Modern living room with dark blue wall, black sofa with gray pillows, wooden armrests, wooden coffee table with small plants, light beige ottoman, potted plants on either side, and hanging Edison light bulbs.

Your Marriage is Worth Fighting For

Christian Couples Therapy offers a path to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships. Through professional guidance, partners learn to understand each other better and build a healthier, more fulfilling partnership grounded in faith.

Whether you're struggling or simply want to strengthen your marriage before challenges arise, I'm here to help. Call 949.954.0756 or schedule a free 20-minute consultation, and we'll talk about what's happening and how faith-integrated counseling can support you both.

Get in Touch
“Today, we have cracked the code of love. We now know what a good love relationship looks and feels like. Even better, we can shape it. For the first time, we have a map that can guide us in creating, healing and sustaining love.”
— Dr. Sue Johnson