Couples Counseling NJ | Couples Therapy New Jersey (NJ) | Relationship counseling new jersey | Marriage & Couples Therapy Therapist in Short Hills: Rebuilding Connection, Trust, Love and Marriage
Every relationship goes through difficult seasons. Whether you and your partner are struggling with communication, trust, emotional distance, recurring conflict, or the aftermath of a life-changing event, these challenges do not mean your relationship is beyond repair. They mean you are human, and that you may benefit from professional support to help you find your way back to each other.
At Light Street Psychotherapy in Short Hills, NJ, our licensed therapists provide couples counseling, marriage counseling, and relationship counseling in New Jersey. We work with partners at every stage, from couples in crisis to those who simply want to deepen their connection and build a stronger foundation together.
Sessions are available in person at our Short Hills office and by telehealth throughout New Jersey, with Florida telehealth available with select therapists.
📞 Call us today: (973) 544-8617 ✔️ In-person and telehealth sessions ✔️ Free consultation ✔️ Three therapists trained in distinct couples approaches: EFT, Gottman Method, and IFIO
What Is Couples Counseling?
Couples counseling is a structured form of therapy that helps two partners understand the patterns between them and change the ones that are not working. Unlike individual therapy, the focus is the relationship itself: how you communicate, how conflict unfolds, and how emotionally safe and connected each of you feels.
A skilled couples therapist keeps sessions balanced so neither partner feels blamed, slows down conversations that usually escalate, and helps both people understand what is happening beneath the surface of an argument. The terms couples counseling, couples therapy, and marriage counseling are often used interchangeably. What matters most is that your therapist is licensed and trained in a recognized couples therapy model.
Why Couples Seek Counseling
There is no single reason couples come to therapy. Some arrive in the middle of a crisis. Others sense a growing distance they cannot seem to close on their own. Some want to strengthen a relationship that is already good. Whatever brings you here, the decision to seek support is a sign of commitment, not weakness.
Common reasons couples begin counseling at Light Street Psychotherapy include:
- Recurring arguments that never seem to get resolved
- Feeling emotionally disconnected, or more like roommates than partners
- Communication breakdown: feeling unheard, unseen, or misunderstood
- Rebuilding trust after infidelity or betrayal
- Navigating a major life transition, such as a new baby, job change, relocation, or illness
- Differences in parenting styles or family values
- Concerns about intimacy or growing emotional distance
- One or both partners managing anxiety, trauma, or depression
- Blended family challenges
- Preparing for marriage or strengthening an already healthy relationship
- Deciding whether to stay together or separate, with clarity and respect
Meet Our Couples Therapists in Short Hills, NJ
Each of our couples therapists is trained in a distinct, research-based couples approach, so we can match you with the method that best fits your relationship.
Gina Totino, LCSW: EFT, IFIO, and DBT for High-Conflict Couples
Gina Totino is a Partner at Light Street Psychotherapy and a specialist in trauma-informed couples therapy. She helps couples access the underlying feelings, such as fear, grief, longing, and shame, that often sit at the root of conflict. Her work is grounded in curiosity, compassion, and the belief that even deeply entrenched patterns can change with the right support.
- License: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), New Jersey and Florida
- Education: BA, Washington University in St. Louis; MSW with Honors, Rutgers University
- Couples training: Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples; Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO); DBT for high-conflict couples
- Also trained in: EMDR and Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping)
- Best fit for: Couples caught in escalating conflict or a pursue-withdraw cycle who want to rebuild emotional safety
Hunter Tarvin, LCSW: Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Hunter Tarvin brings structured, research-based tools to couples who want practical ways to communicate better and manage conflict. As a Registered Yoga Teacher, he also integrates mindfulness and breath-based practices to help partners stay calm during difficult conversations.
- License: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), New Jersey
- Education: Master of Social Work, New York University
- Couples training: Gottman Method for Couples Therapy
- Additional credential: Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200)
- Best fit for: Couples who want clear, practical communication and conflict-resolution skills
- Learn more: How Hunter uses the Gottman Method to help couples reconnect
Meredith Strauss, LCSW: IFIO and Trauma-Informed Couples Work
Meredith Strauss is the Founder of Light Street Psychotherapy. She brings an integrative approach that combines Eastern and Western psychology, and an exceptionally deep level of trauma training, to her work with couples and families.
- License: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), New Jersey and Florida
- Education: BA, Washington University in St. Louis; MSW with Honors, Rutgers University
- Couples training: Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO)
- Certifications: IFS Level 3 Certified; EMDR Level 3 Certified
- Best fit for: Couples whose conflicts are shaped by past hurts, trauma, or deep emotional patterns
Our clinicians meet regularly as a team to discuss cases, so every couple benefits from the insight of an entire clinical team.
Our Approach to Marriage and Couples Counseling
Every relationship has its own history, patterns, wounds, and strengths. Our approach is never one-size-fits-all. Your therapist will take time to understand your unique dynamic and design a plan around your specific goals.
Our work is guided by five core principles:
- Safety first: both partners need to feel emotionally safe before meaningful work can begin
- Understanding before changing: we help couples see their patterns clearly before trying to change them
- Both partners matter: our therapists hold space for both partners equally, without taking sides
- Emotions are information: we help couples learn from their emotions rather than be overwhelmed by them
- The goal is connection: whatever the presenting concern, the aim is deeper understanding and genuine connection
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples
EFT is grounded in attachment theory, the understanding that people are wired for close emotional bonds and that relationship distress often signals that those bonds feel threatened. EFT helps couples recognize the negative cycle they get caught in, express the deeper needs beneath the conflict, and build a more secure, trusting bond. It is one of the most extensively researched approaches to couples therapy.
The Gottman Method
Developed from decades of research observing real couples, the Gottman Method gives partners practical tools to manage conflict, build friendship and appreciation, and repair after arguments. It is well known for identifying the “Four Horsemen” (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling) and teaching healthier alternatives.
Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO)
IFIO applies Internal Family Systems (IFS) to couples. It helps each partner notice the protective “parts” that show up in conflict, such as the part that criticizes or the part that shuts down, and speak for those parts instead of from them. The result is more honest, compassionate, and connected communication.
DBT for High-Conflict Couples
For couples whose arguments escalate quickly, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers concrete skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, helping partners de-escalate in the moment and communicate more clearly.
EMDR and Trauma-Informed Couples Therapy
When one or both partners carry unresolved trauma from childhood, past relationships, or a shared experience such as a medical crisis or loss, that trauma often shows up in the relationship. Gina and Meredith are both trained in EMDR and use trauma-informed approaches to help partners understand how trauma affects their nervous systems, attachment patterns, and ability to connect.
Relationship Counseling for Specific Challenges
Infidelity and Betrayal Recovery
Recovering from infidelity is one of the most complex journeys a couple can undertake. Our therapists provide a structured, compassionate process that helps the hurt partner process their experience, helps the partner who caused harm take genuine accountability, and guides both partners toward a clear decision about whether and how to rebuild.
Couples Navigating Anxiety and Trauma
When anxiety or trauma affects one or both partners, the relationship dynamic changes in meaningful ways. Our therapists help couples understand these dynamics with compassion and develop new ways of supporting each other.
Premarital Counseling
Premarital counseling helps engaged couples explore values, communication styles, conflict patterns, family-of-origin dynamics, financial expectations, and long-term goals, building a strong, informed foundation before marriage.
Couples in Life Transitions
The birth of a child, a career change, relocation, illness, retirement, or the loss of a loved one can place significant stress on a relationship. We help couples navigate these transitions with greater understanding, flexibility, and connection.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Couples Therapy
Light Street Psychotherapy offers LGBTQ+ affirming couples counseling in New Jersey, providing a fully inclusive and respectful space for couples of all identities, orientations, and relationship structures.
What to Expect in Your First Couples Counseling Sessions
Beginning couples counseling can feel daunting, especially if there is significant conflict between you. Here is what you can expect:
- A neutral, balanced space: both partners are heard equally, without blame
- An initial assessment: your therapist learns your relationship history, current challenges, and goals
- A personalized plan: sessions are tailored to the specific needs of your relationship
- Practical skills: you leave sessions with concrete strategies to use between appointments
- Compassionate honesty: your therapist will help you see patterns and possibilities you may not have seen on your own
- Flexibility: individual sessions can be added alongside couples sessions when clinically appropriate
For a deeper walkthrough, read Couples Therapy in New Jersey: Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Session. Not sure which approach fits you? See What Type of Therapist Is Best for Couples Therapy?
Why Choose Light Street Psychotherapy for Couples Counseling in New Jersey?
- Three licensed therapists, each trained in a distinct couples model: EFT, Gottman Method, and IFIO
- A founder who is IFS Level 3 Certified and EMDR Level 3 Certified
- Specialized support for high-conflict couples, infidelity recovery, and trauma-affected relationships
- A collaborative team that meets regularly to review cases
- A warm, inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming practice
- In-person sessions in Short Hills, NJ, and telehealth throughout New Jersey
- Individual, couples, and family therapy under one roof
- Free consultation
Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Counseling in NJ
What is the difference between couples counseling and marriage counseling? The terms are generally used interchangeably. Both help partners improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen their connection. You do not need to be married to attend.
How do I find a good couples counselor in New Jersey? Look for a therapist licensed in New Jersey, such as an LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or psychologist, with specific training in a recognized couples model like EFT, the Gottman Method, or IFIO.
How long does couples counseling take? It varies by couple and goals. Many couples notice meaningful progress within the first few months, especially when they practice new skills between sessions.
What if my partner does not want to go to couples counseling? It is common for one partner to feel more ready than the other. A free consultation can help clarify options, and individual sessions can still create meaningful change in a relationship.
Is online couples counseling available in New Jersey? Yes. We offer secure telehealth couples counseling throughout New Jersey, which makes it easier for busy partners to attend together. Florida telehealth is available with select therapists.
Do you offer couples counseling for infidelity? Yes. Our therapists provide a structured, compassionate process for couples recovering from infidelity and betrayal.
Start Couples Counseling Today
Your relationship deserves the same care and attention you give to every other important area of your life. Whether you are in crisis or simply ready to grow closer, couples counseling at Light Street Psychotherapy can help you get there.
📞 (973) 544-8617 👉 Book your free consultation ✔️ In-person in Short Hills, NJ | Telehealth throughout New Jersey
Couples Counseling Near You in New Jersey
Our Short Hills office provides in-person couples counseling and marriage counseling for couples in Short Hills, Millburn, Springfield, Maplewood, South Orange, Summit, Madison, Chatham, Livingston, Florham Park, Westfield, Cranford, Whippany, Berkeley Heights, Union, Scotch Plains, Morristown, New Providence, and Mountainside, with telehealth sessions available throughout New Jersey.