Effective Couples Counseling in Santa Barbara – In Person or Online
Are you and your partner caught in painful cycles of conflict, emotional distance, or miscommunication? Many couples experience relationship problems that leave them feeling stuck, unheard, or disconnected. At Riviera Therapy in Santa Barbara, our licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) and trained professionals provide evidence-based, relational therapy to help individuals and couples resolve painful conflicts and foster deeper connections.
How Couples Counseling Can Help
Couples therapy can help you and your partner improve communication, rebuild intimacy, and manage emotions in healthier ways. Whether you’re working through infidelity, parenting struggles, or big life changes, a skilled therapist can help you feel more connected, understood, and supported.
At Riviera Therapy, we use proven approaches like Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic insights to guide sessions. These methods help couples better understand their emotions, break old patterns, and build stronger relationships. Sessions may include practicing new communication skills, exploring your connection style, or looking at how past experiences shape your relationship now.
We offer both in-person and online therapy, making it easier to fit support into your schedule. Whether you’re looking for short-term help or deeper, ongoing work, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Our therapists offer both in-person and teletherapy options, allowing flexibility for busy schedules across Santa Barbara County and the state of California. Whether you are seeking short-term solution-focused therapy or a deeper integrative approach, we’re here to support you.
What We Focus On in Couples Therapy
- Address relationship problems and frequent conflict
- Rebuild trust after betrayal or disconnection
- Strengthen emotional intimacy and communication
- Navigate parenting and life transitions
- Explore relational dynamics and attachment styles
- Support couples affected by substance abuse, sex addiction, or spiritual issues
Couples therapy is designed to provide a safe and supportive space where both partners feel heard and respected. The goal is to guide couples toward healthier connection, improved communication, and clarity around shared goals. Our marriage counseling supports individuals who want to build more secure and fulfilling relationships.
Why Choose Riviera Therapy
Riviera Therapy offers professional, compassionate care from licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), AMFTs, and other clinicians with extensive training in relationship work. We understand the nuances of marriage and family dynamics and tailor treatment plans to help clients move forward in practical and meaningful ways.
- Trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming, and inclusive
- Experienced in both individual and couples therapy
- Direct, respectful, and non-judgmental communication
- Flexible scheduling with therapists in Santa Barbara
- Focused on helping adults and families dealing with real-life challenges
Whether you’re seeking psychotherapy for individuals or marriage and family therapy, our team offers an integrative approach grounded in research, not trends.
Serving Santa Barbara and Surrounding Areas
Our office is located in Santa Barbara near the historic Riviera neighborhood, close to landmarks like the Santa Barbara Bowl and Mission Canyon. We serve clients from all over Santa Barbara County, including the Mesa, San Roque, and downtown. For those outside the area or seeking added convenience, we offer secure telehealth therapy throughout California.
Ready to Find the Right Couples Therapist?
If you’re feeling stuck, disconnected, or facing ongoing relationship challenges, it may be time to get the support you deserve. At Riviera Therapy, we offer a safe and respectful space where couples and individuals can work toward healing, clarity, and connection. Reach out today to schedule a consultation. There’s no pressure or commitment, just a chance to start making things better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Couples therapy in Santa Barbara starts with an initial session to understand your relationship’s strengths and challenges. At Riviera Therapy, our therapists use evidence-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), cognitive behavioral therapy, and other relational methods to improve communication, support anger management, and help couples rebuild trust. Every session is guided with compassion and respect, with a focus on emotional well-being.
Yes, Riviera Therapy offers effective online couples counseling for anyone in California. Telehealth allows couples to work with a licensed therapist from the comfort of their home – ideal for busy schedules or those living outside Santa Barbara, CA.
Marriage counseling is a form of couples therapy that focuses on married couples. At Riviera Therapy in Santa Barbara, we work with all types of relationships, including dating, engaged, married, LGBTQ+, and nontraditional partnerships. The therapy is always tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Yes, couples therapy can help couples dealing with substance use, sex addiction, or other compulsive behaviors. Therapy sessions provide a safe space to understand the impact, develop healthy coping strategies, and support healing and trust between partners.
While we specialize in couples therapy in Santa Barbara, many of our therapists are trained in family therapy and support families dealing with parenting issues, adolescent concerns, or family-of-origin dynamics. If needed, we can refer you to the best fit for family support.
Finding the right therapist starts with understanding your goals. At Riviera Therapy, our intake team works with new clients to match them with a licensed MFT or other qualified professional. All our therapists hold a master’s degree or higher. We offer person-centered services focused on creating a meaningful life, reduced stress, and lasting connection. You can also explore trusted directories like Psychology Today or the Family Therapy Institute of Santa Barbara.
Yes, couples counseling helps partners process unresolved pain, betrayal, or conflict from the past. At Riviera Therapy, we provide a safe and respectful environment to explore what’s holding you back – so you can move forward and realize your true potential as a couple.
