ShieldMee Inc. · 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
We offer therapy for couples in Florida.
Couples Therapy in Florida: A Gottman-Based Approach to Fixing What's Broken
because something in your relationship broke. Maybe you’re not sure it can be fixed. The fights feel routine now. Or maybe the silence is worse than the fights. Either way, you know things can’t stay the same.
We use the Gottman Method, a well-researched approach to couples therapy. It helps us find exactly what’s wearing down your connection. Then we use a direct approach focused on accountability to help you both rebuild respect, fairness, and trust.
Is couples therapy right for you?
This work is for couples who are past “just communicate better.” You’ve tried being nicer. You’ve tried date nights. You’ve tried ignoring the problem. None of it worked, because the issue was never effort. It’s the pattern underneath.
This approach may fit if you are:
- High-income professionals trying to balance career and relationship
- A couple where contempt has become a normal part of how you talk to each other
- Partners where one or both of you feel like things are deeply unfair
- Going through a major life change, an affair, or outside pressure
- Considering divorce and want clarity before deciding
This works if both of you are willing to be challenged, not just told you’re right. If one of you wants a therapist to take your side against the other, this isn’t the right fit.
What Happens in Couples Therapy Sessions?
Sessions are 50 minutes, done through secure video calls, once a week. This work moves fastest with steady momentum. Skipping weeks slows things down a lot.
In the first sessions, we watch how you communicate. Not just what you argue about, but how you argue. We’re looking for what Gottman calls the “Four Horsemen”: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling (shutting down and pulling away). Research shows these four patterns predict relationship failure with over 90% accuracy.
Once we spot these patterns, we replace them with alternatives backed by research. This isn’t just talk. It’s real behavior change you practice in session and use at home.
Most couples see things start to shift within 8 to 10 sessions. That doesn’t mean the work is finished. It means the damage has stopped, and rebuilding can begin.
How the Gottman Method Helps Couples Rebuild Trust
Replacing the Four Horsemen
We help you swap criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling for their opposites: a gentle way to bring up problems, appreciation, taking responsibility, and calming yourself down. This is the most studied framework in couples therapy.
Restoring Fairness
Most couples come to therapy because the relationship no longer feels fair. We help both of you understand how that imbalance happened, and what needs to change so you both feel valued.
Holding Each Person Accountable
Couples therapy doesn’t work if each partner is waiting for the other to change first. We hold each of you responsible for your own behavior in the relationship.
Looking at Your Story
We pay attention to how each of you describes the relationship. Do you talk about problems as permanent or temporary? Do you remember your history warmly, or with resentment? These details show whether the relationship’s foundation is still solid or has worn away.
Want to learn more about the research behind this method? Read our deep-dive article: The Four Horsemen — and What to Do About Them.
Couples therapy cost and insurance options.
Couples and family therapy sessions cost $188 each.
We accept insurance through Headway, and private pay is available through SimplePractice. Most major insurance plans are accepted through Headway.
Ready to start couples therapy?
The first step is a short assessment. It helps us understand what’s going on in your relationship and whether this approach is a good fit for you. Both partners don’t have to fill it out. One of you starting the conversation is enough.