Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling Online in California
Rebuild Connection, Improve Communication, Strengthen Your Bond
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You don't have to stay stuck
You love each other, but lately it feels like you’re stuck. The same arguments keep coming back. One of you reaches for connection while the other pulls away to keep the peace. Maybe you feel more like roommates than partners, or trust has been broken and you don’t know how to get it back.
You don’t have to keep living in that pattern. I’m Sam Wasfi, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (California LMFT #96157) with over 15 years of experience helping couples break painful cycles, rebuild trust, and find their way back to each other. I see couples online anywhere in California, with evening and weekend appointments available.
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Signs couples therapy could help
You have the same fight over and over, and nothing gets resolved
Conversations turn into criticism, defensiveness, or silence
One of you pursues while the other withdraws
You feel lonely, even when you’re together
Trust has been damaged by an affair, secrets, or broken promises
A major change (a new baby, a move, a loss, an empty nest) has pulled you apart
You’re thinking about separating but want to be sure you’ve tried everything
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How I work: the Gottman Method and EFT
I integrate the two most researched approaches to couples therapy.
The Gottman Method gives you practical, research-tested tools: how to manage conflict without damaging your relationship, how to repair after a hard conversation, and how to rebuild friendship and appreciation. I've completed advanced Gottman training (Level 3), including the Gottman Institute's training on treating affairs and trauma.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps you understand what's happening underneath the conflict: the fears and needs that drive one partner to pursue and the other to withdraw.
Gottman gives you tools for what to do. EFT helps you understand why you get stuck. Together, they create lasting change.
What to expect in your first three sessions
Session 1, together: We talk about your relationship history, what brought you in, and what each of you hopes will change.
Session 2, individually: I meet with each of you separately for a deeper look at your personal history and perspective.
Session 3, together: I share what I've learned from my assessment and give you a clear road map for our work, including your relationship's strengths and the specific patterns we'll focus on.
From there, we meet regularly to practice new ways of communicating, work through the issues that matter most, and track your progress together.
Online couples therapy anywhere in California
All sessions take place by secure video, so you can meet from home, together or from two locations. Online couples therapy has been found to be effective for most couples, and many find it easier to stay consistent without a commute. Early-morning, evening, and weekend appointments are available.
What couples come to me for
Communication problems: feeling unheard, misunderstood, or criticized
Recurring conflict: arguments that escalate or never get resolved
Affair recovery: rebuilding trust after infidelity
Emotional distance: feeling disconnected or like roommates
Intimacy concerns: rebuilding closeness and desire
Life transitions: parenthood, career changes, loss, or blended families
Preparing for marriage: building a strong foundation
Faith-integrated counseling: for couples who want to bring their Christian faith into therapy
Cost, insurance, and scheduling
Couples sessions are $225. I can provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage for couples therapy varies by plan, so I'm happy to help you check your benefits. Your first 20-minute consultation is always free.
Frequently asked questions
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No. My client is your relationship, not either partner. I'll support and challenge each of you, so you both feel heard and can see the pattern you're caught in together.
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That's common. You can start on your own with sessions focused on your relationship. Change in one partner often shifts the whole pattern, and many partners join later.
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Many couples notice meaningful change within 8–12 sessions. Recovery from an affair or long-standing disconnection usually takes longer. We'll review progress together regularly.
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Many couples wait years before reaching out. If you're both willing to try, there's usually more hope than it may feel right now. If you're unsure whether to stay together, we can explore that honestly too.
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For most couples, yes. Research on online couples therapy has found outcomes comparable to in-person sessions, and meeting from home makes it easier to be consistent.
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Yes. For couples who want it, I integrate Christian faith with research-based therapy, drawing on Scripture and shared values alongside proven Gottman and EFT tools. Faith integration is always your choice.
Ready to stop having the same fight?
Call 949.954.0756 or schedule a free 20-minute consultation. We'll talk about what's happening in your relationship and whether I'm the right fit for you.
“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.”