Talking about money can be uncomfortable, even in healthy, connected relationships. When there’s a noticeable difference in earnings, those conversations can bring up complicated emotions around worth, identity, and fairness. But handled with care, they can actually deepen trust and connection.

Explore how couples can talk about financial differences with empathy, curiosity, and teamwork. You’ll find guidance on how to start money conversations for the first time, what to do if the topic catches you off guard, and how to reframe income gaps as opportunities for shared growth.

Because at its core, this isn’t just about money; it’s about understanding one another’s values, histories, and hopes for the future. Whether you’re earning more, less, or somewhere in between, these conversations can strengthen your foundation and help you build a relationship defined by collaboration and care.

Planning a wedding is more than choosing flowers or venues; it’s one of the first big opportunities couples have to practice teamwork, compromise, and long-term vision. While it’s easy to get caught up in logistics, the deeper conversations about values, family expectations, and shared goals are what make this season truly meaningful. When approached thoughtfully, wedding planning can strengthen communication and build a foundation for a resilient marriage.

Explore the conversations worth having before diving into details, milestones that signal readiness, and practical questions that bring couples closer. From navigating finances to balancing family input, these conversations are less about stress and more about building a partnership. And if the process ever feels overwhelming, therapy offers a supportive space to align, connect, and create a wedding (and marriage) that reflects who you are together.

Thinking about getting engaged? Engagement isn’t just about a ring or a proposal; it’s about aligning values, setting intentions, and building a shared vision for the future. Explore the conversations every couple should have before saying “yes,” the milestones that signal readiness, and the practical logistics (like family expectations, timelines, and finances) that help keep your relationship strong.

Discover hopeful, concrete strategies to turn a potentially nerve-wracking talk into an opportunity for closeness and clarity. Whether you’re excited, nervous, or somewhere in between, these conversations can set the foundation not just for a wedding, but for a marriage built on trust and teamwork.

Thinking about moving in with your partner? It’s one of the bigger milestones in a relationship; exciting, meaningful, and sometimes overwhelming. Moving in together isn’t just about signing a lease or deciding whose couch to keep, it’s about blending routines, values, and long-term vision.

Examine how to approach the decision thoughtfully: what conversations to have before you pack a single box, milestones that signal readiness, questions that reveal green flags (and cautionary signs), and the practical logistics you’ll want to consider. Done well, moving in together can be more than a convenience, it can be a foundation for lasting intimacy and teamwork.

There’s support that can give you the tools to make this transition smoother and more intentional.

Couples therapy isn’t just for relationships in crisis, it’s one of the best investments you can make when things are going well. Explore couples therapy as preventative maintenance: a way to strengthen emotional connection, navigate cultural or family differences, prepare for major life transitions, and avoid repeating painful patterns from the past.

Whether you’re engaged and considering premarital counseling, wanting to build resilience before a big move, or simply looking to deepen intimacy, preventative therapy offers tools that help your relationship not only last but thrive. Couples therapy is a powerful way to honor the relationship you’re building and protect its future.

Intimacy is more than just physical closeness, it’s the glue that holds long-term relationships together. Break down the different types of intimacy and why each one matters for building a resilient and lasting partnership. You’ll find practical activities to bring more closeness into your daily life, like gratitude rituals, open-ended questions, and shared adventures, along with insights into common habits that quietly chip away at intimacy.

If you’ve ever felt like you love your partner but miss feeling truly connected, this is for you. Uncover hopeful, actionable strategies to help you and your partner move from disconnection to deeper intimacy; one small, intentional step at a time.

Are you in a situationship, a friends with benefits arrangement, or something else entirely? When it comes to modern dating, the lines can blur, fast. Unpack the key differences between situationships and FWB dynamics, why people choose one over the other, and what it actually takes for either to evolve into a committed relationship. We’ll explore the emotional, relational, and practical implications of each, plus give you tools to identify your own needs, communicate them clearly, and make choices that align with your values. Also, learn how to spot whether you and your partner (or potential partner) are on the same page, and what to do if you’re not.

Explore what healthy boundaries look like when you're on the receiving end. Whether you're dating, in a long-term relationship, or navigating family dynamics, we’ll help you understand how to respond with empathy, even when you don’t fully agree or understand. From repair after overstepping to recognizing unspoken limits, we offer grounded, real-world tools to help you show up with care.

We also explore the misuse of therapy language, how “boundaries” can sometimes be wielded to avoid conflict or control others, and what to do when that happens. This post is full of practical suggestions, examples, and therapist-informed insight to support more open, honest, and emotionally safe relationships.

Are you setting boundaries or building barriers without realizing it? Unpack the crucial difference between healthy emotional limits that foster connection and protective walls that unintentionally push people away. Learn how to identify whether you're setting a true boundary, or slipping into control or avoidance; and why it matters for the health of your relationships. Explore why boundary-setting can be hard, offer real-life scripts and examples, and share tips for recognizing when a partner or loved one may be using barriers instead of showing up vulnerably.

Dive into the growing trend of "therapy speak" being used to shut down communication or avoid accountability, and how to spot when language like “boundaries” or “self-care” is being misused in ways that manipulate rather than connect. Whether you’re navigating new love, family dynamics, or long-term partnership, find grounded, hope-filled guidance to help you build the kind of relationships that feel safe, mutual, and emotionally alive.

Wondering how to set boundaries with your family—without blowing things up? Whether you're navigating in-laws, unannounced visits, or emotional pressure from loved ones, this guide offers practical tools and therapist-backed insight to help you speak up, stay connected, and support your partner in doing the same.

You’ll learn what healthy boundaries are (and aren’t), why they matter for long-term relationship success, and how to set them with confidence, even when it feels hard.

Struggling to open up to your partner? Explore why talking about your thoughts, feelings, hopes, and fears is essential for long-term connection; and how to do it skillfully. Whether you’re navigating everyday stress or deep emotional needs, this guide offers practical tools (like active listening) to help your relationship grow closer, more trusting, and more resilient.

You’ll learn what happens when these conversations are avoided, how to go beyond surface-level sharing, and how to bring more depth and intention to the way you communicate. This post is a compassionate, encouraging read for anyone ready to build emotional intimacy and show up more fully in their relationship.

Texting is a daily part of modern relationships, but is it always helping? Explore how texting can both strengthen and strain connection, depending on how it’s used. From quick check-ins that build closeness to misunderstandings that escalate over screens, we take a closer look at how to use texting intentionally and effectively. You’ll learn when a topic is better reserved for a phone call or face-to-face conversation, how generational habits shape texting styles, and what to do when your partner’s phone is competing for attention. Find practical tips for setting expectations around texting early in a relationship, and how to revisit those agreements when things change. Whether you’re just starting to date or looking to improve communication in a long-term partnership, this piece offers hopeful, real-world guidance to help you stay connected; on screen and off.

What Do Healthy Relationships Really Look Like? We talk a lot about red flags in relationships, but what about the green ones? Explore the signs of a supportive, connected partnership: think emotional safety, mutual respect, and shared weirdness (yes, beige flags included).

Find practical tips for spotting green flags, understanding yellow and red ones, and even cultivating more positives in your own relationship. It’s a hopeful, culturally sensitive guide to building love that lasts.

Struggling to feel heard in your relationship? Wondering how to build more intimacy, even when you don’t see eye to eye? Dive into the communication skills that create real closeness: active listening, emotional sharing, and conversations that actually move your relationship forward.

Whether you're in the early stages or navigating long-term challenges, we break down practical tools to help you feel more connected, supported, and understood. Because great relationships aren’t built on perfection—they’re built on communication.

Struggling to make a long-distance relationship work—or wondering if it’s even worth it? This blog explores how couples can thrive across the miles with clear communication, emotional connection, and shared intention. Learn the strengths and challenges unique to long-distance relationships (LDRs), discover how to build trust and intimacy from afar, and find out why success doesn’t always mean closing the gap. Whether you're in an LDR temporarily or for the long haul, our San Francisco-based couples therapists offer guidance to help you stay connected and supported—wherever you are.

Deciding whether or not to have children is one of the most meaningful, and sometimes challenging, conversations couples can have. In our latest blog, we explore how to approach this big topic with curiosity, care, and clarity. Whether you're unsure, not on the same page, or just beginning to explore your values around parenthood, this guide offers practical communication tips, real-world insights, and gentle encouragement from a couples therapy perspective. Discover why talking about your future together is essential and how therapy can help make that conversation more connected and productive.

What does it really take to build (or rebuild) trust in a relationship? Our latest blog explores the everyday behaviors, mindset shifts, and deeper conversations that help couples strengthen trust over time. From transparent communication and emotional attunement to gentle repair after missteps, we break down what trust looks like in action, and why it’s essential for long-term connection. Whether you're starting fresh or healing from a rupture, this blog offers insight, encouragement, and therapist-informed tools to help you and your partner feel more secure, connected, and aligned. Therapy can be a powerful place to explore and grow this work together.

Want to get more out of couples therapy? Our latest blog explores how to strengthen your relationship between sessions with practical, heartfelt strategies that build momentum and deepen connection. From applying tools (not just talking about them), to recognizing progress, navigating hard conversations, and dreaming up your future together—this piece offers insight, encouragement, and actionable steps for partners doing the work. Whether you're in therapy now or thinking about starting, discover how small shifts outside the therapy room can lead to lasting change inside your relationship.

Healthy conflict doesn’t mean avoiding disagreements, it means learning how to handle them well. Explore how couples can navigate tough conversations with clarity, compassion, and purpose. From using “I” statements to setting ground rules, we share real-world strategies for managing conflict and staying connected, even when things get hard. We also look at the importance of emotional safety, long-term planning, and checking that you and your partner are truly building the same future. Whether you're newly partnered or years in, this is your guide to deeper understanding and healthier communication. Ready to grow together?

Avoiding conversations about the future might feel easier in the moment, but it can lead to real challenges down the line. Explore why it’s essential to talk about your long-term goals—like marriage, kids, career plans, and where you want to live—and how assumptions can create conflict when visions don’t align. With therapist-approved tips and strategies, this post helps couples navigate these important (but often intimidating) conversations with clarity, care, and connection. Whether you’re just getting serious or planning your next chapter, therapy can help you build the future you actually want, together.