Couple Therapy and Relationship Works with Chelsea Yang, LCPC

About Couple Therapy

and Relationship Works

Couple therapy is designed to help partners navigate the complexities of their relationship, address conflicts, and build a stronger, more fulfilling bond. It provides a safe and supportive environment where both individuals can express their feelings, understand each other's perspectives, and work together towards positive change.

I believe that every relationship is unique and deserving of care, attention, and respect. Strong, healthy relationships are built on trust, communication, and mutual understanding. It's natural for couples to face challenges, but with the right support, these challenges can become opportunities for growth and deeper connection.

My Values and Approaches

I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) as my primary approach, complemented by other process-based modalities such as Gestalt therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

I’d like to focus on the context more than the content of the "problem." This means that rather than getting caught up in the specific details of an argument or issue, we examine the underlying patterns and dynamics that influence your interactions. By understanding the context in which problems arise, we can address the root causes and facilitate lasting change.

Creativities is another element you will expect working with me. I implement interactive experiments for couples to explore how they relate to each other. These exercises provide practical insights and foster a deeper understanding of each other's perspectives and emotional needs.

The goal of these approaches is to help you feel safe to reach out, receive, and reconnect with each other in a more genuine and meaningful way.

Common Relational Struggles

  • Conflicts and Communication Issues:
    Difficulty expressing thoughts and feelings, frequent misunderstandings, and unresolved conflicts can lead to a breakdown in communication between partners;

  • Trust and Infidelity:
    Betrayal, whether through infidelity or other forms of broken trust, can deeply impact the foundation of a relationship. I help couples rebuild trust and heal from these wounds.

  • Intimacy Challenges:
    Physical and emotional intimacy issues, including differences in sexual desire and/or preference, performance anxiety, and lack of emotional connection;

  • Life Transitions:
    Major life changes, such as moving, career changes, or the birth of a child, medical diagnosis can put additional stress on a relationship. I support couples in adapting to these transitions while maintaining a strong connection.

  • Struggles For Queer Couples
    identity and acceptance, navigating external discrimination and stress, improving intimacy and communication, managing blended family dynamics, and redefining role expectations;

  • Cultural Differences:
    Differences in cultural backgrounds and values can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. I work with couples to bridge these gaps and create a harmonious relationship.

  • Emotional Distance:
    Over time, partners may feel emotionally distant or disconnected from each other. I help couples rekindle their emotional bond and enhance their relationship's overall quality.

  • Struggles for Non-Traditional Polyamorous Couples
    managing jealousy and trust, enhancing communication and setting boundaries, balancing time and attention among partners, addressing social stigma, creating and maintaining relationship agreements, and resolving conflicts.

Fees & Payment

I am an out-of-network provider. This means that I do not accept insurance directly. The payment for the full fee of your session is due upfront at each appointment. If you have out-of-network benefits through your insurance company I can provide you with a “superbill”, which is a document that shows a list of all the services you received, the fees paid, and a diagnostic code. You then can provide that superbill to your insurance company, and your insurance company will then later reimburse you for the full or partial cost of therapy.

I strongly recommend contacting your insurance company to inquire about your out of network benefits prior to attending your initial session so that you can accurately anticipate your reimbursement rates, if any. Specifically, you can ask about your coverage for the following couples and relationship therapeutic services:

90791 Psychiatric Diagnostic Assessment, 60min | $240
90846 Family Psychotherapy, conjoint psychotherapy, without patient 60 minutes | $220
90847 Family Psychotherapy, conjoint psychotherapy, 45 minutes | $180

FAQs

  • I will first meet the two of you together for an initial assessment session to learn about your relationship and your therapy goals. Following this, I will meet with each of you individually for 1-3 sessions to assess your relationship histories, family of origins, traumatic experiences, and other relevant factors. After these individual assessments, we will reunite for another joint session to discuss goal setting and outline a plan for your therapy journey.

  • Yes and No. It's always welcomed and essential to address personal challenges that might be affecting your relationship. However, for ethical and professional reasons, I cannot serve as your individual therapist if I am already working with you as a couple therapist. This helps maintain clear boundaries and ensures that the focus remains on the relationship as a whole.

  • Short answer, it depends.
    The number of sessions varies depending on the specific needs and goals of the couple. Some issues can be resolved in a few sessions, while others may require more extended work over several months.

    I have a fair caseload of couples who continue to see me into their second year, while others find it helpful enough to terminate therapy around two months.

    Starting to look at relationship problems can be rough, and it might feel like therapy is making things worse initially. However, I encourage you to share that fear and pain with your therapist and your partner. In most cases, couples notice some differences from 8-10 sessions in.

  • Yes, I welcome and support couples of all orientations and identities. My approach is inclusive and respectful of the diverse experiences and challenges faced by same-sex couples.

  • It's common for one partner to be hesitant about therapy. Openly discussing your concerns and the potential benefits of therapy can help. Sometimes, starting with an individual session can also encourage a reluctant partner to join later.

  • Couple therapy can help you explore your feelings and options regarding separation or divorce. It provides a space to discuss these decisions thoughtfully and can help you both come to a mutually respectful resolution.