Bozeman Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling
We currently have same-week appointments available for couples therapy in Bozeman, with morning, mid-day, and evening availability. Openings can change quickly, so we encourage couples to reach out as soon as possible to secure a time that works best for their schedule.
Our therapists offer research-proven couples and marriage counseling to provide couples with the relationship skills needed to:
Feel emotionally and physically closer
Resolve conflict
Be able to have calm, involved conversations about difficult topics
Understand each others’ needs, and be able to respond
Understand and communicate your own needs
Know that you’re enough for your partner, and important to your partner, even when you don’t get it exactly right
Be more patient with each other
Understand why you’re having trouble getting along when you know you love each other so much
Decide whether or not to separate
Stay connected even when you disagree
Heal after an affair, addiction, major secret, or shattered trust
Parent together harmoniously, even when you see things differently
Manage your step family and extended family issues
How Does it Work?
The first step in couples counseling or marriage counseling is to understand what’s getting in the way of conflict resolution, closeness, and/or trust. Every couple has a cycle, or patterned way of trying to resolve conflict together. Sometimes the cycle is positive and they can get through it on their own; at other times it’s a negative cycle and they get stuck. Another way to describe the negative cycle is as a pattern of communication happening below the surface of partners’ actual words or behaviors. This “deeper” conversation isn’t about details; it’s about unmet relationship needs. Until these relationship needs are addressed, the real conversation will usually go nowhere.
When couples get stuck, the following ends up happening: one partner escalates while the other shuts down, both partners get escalated and there’s a fight or heated argument, or both partners withdraw from the conversation. Whichever way, the problem doesn’t get resolved. Instead it gets pushed under the rug, only to resurface later. Other times it may seem as if there’s resolution, but it isn’t lasting.
Our counselors are highly trained to help couples understand their negative cycle, which is more often than not completely out of awareness when they begin counseling. When couples don’t have a clear understanding of what’s going wrong, it’s impossible for them to fix things on their own. Our therapists spend the first several sessions helping couples understand their negative cycle.
Once couples and their therapist understand what isn’t working, we can start working on replacing the negative cycle with a positive one. In the process, couples begin to feel empowered to resolve their problems on their own, and emotionally closer. As couples begin to have repeated positive experiences with one another, trust begins to build. Over time, the relationship begins to thrive.
Many couples are struggling with complicated issues such as affairs, abuse, addictions, sexual issues, chronic health conditions, or more. While we treat all couples with the same approach, we adapt our work to each couple’s unique situation. Please contact us to learn more about how our counselors specifically help couples who are struggling with these more complicated issues.
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Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a research-backed, attachment-based approach that helps couples break negative patterns, improve communication, and create a deeper, more secure connection. Whether you're struggling with conflict, emotional disconnection, trust issues, or intimacy concerns, EFT helps partners understand and respond to each other’s emotional needs in a way that fosters closeness and security.
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Attachment Based Therapy
Attachment-Based Therapy helps individuals, couples, and families understand how early relationships shape emotional patterns, communication styles, and connection with others. By exploring past experiences and attachment dynamics, this therapy fosters self-awareness, emotional healing, and deeper, more secure relationships.
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Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy for couples helps partners understand their own emotional patterns and how they impact their relationship. By exploring the different "parts" of ourselves—such as protectors, wounded exiles, and reactive firefighters—IFS allows couples to break free from negative cycles, communicate with greater empathy, and deepen emotional intimacy.
What to Expect in Couples Therapy
Starting couples therapy can feel like a big step. Here’s how our process works and what you can expect as you begin.
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Couples therapy can be helpful at many stages of a relationship. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit. It may be a good fit if you notice:
Repeating arguments or cycles that never seem to resolve
Feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or emotionally distant
Difficulty communicating without escalating or shutting down
Ongoing tension around trust, intimacy, parenting, or life stress
A desire to strengthen your relationship and feel closer again
If you are unsure, an initial consultation can help clarify whether couples therapy is the right next step and what kind of support would be most helpful.
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Your first consultation is an opportunity to assess fit, clarify goals, and understand the process. Helpful questions may include:
What approach do you use for couples therapy?
How do you help couples who feel stuck in the same arguments?
How will both partners be supported in the process?
What does the early structure of therapy look like?
How long does couples therapy typically take to see change?
A good therapist will welcome these questions and help you feel informed, supported, and clear about next steps.
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We organize couples therapy in a way that supports both the relationship and each partner’s individual emotional experience.
Step 1: Initial Couples Session (60 minutes)
The first session focuses on understanding what brings you in, identifying key patterns in your relationship, and clarifying shared goals. This session helps us begin mapping the relational dynamics that feel most distressing or stuck.Step 2: Individual Sessions (60 minutes each)
Each partner then meets individually with the therapist for one session. These sessions allow space to explore personal attachment history, emotional patterns, and relational triggers. This step helps us understand how each partner’s past experiences may be shaping the present relationship.Step 3: Ongoing Couples Therapy
After the individual sessions, couples therapy resumes. With a clearer understanding of both partners, sessions focus on:Identifying and interrupting negative interaction cycles
Increasing emotional safety and responsiveness
Supporting healthier communication and repair
Strengthening connection and trust
This structure allows the work to move more efficiently and compassionately.
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While every couple is different, many couples notice meaningful shifts within 8–12 weeks of consistent therapy. During this time, couples often experience:
Greater awareness of their relational patterns
Fewer escalations and faster repair after conflict
Improved emotional communication
Increased empathy and understanding for each other
A stronger sense of connection and teamwork
Some couples continue beyond this timeframe for deeper work or ongoing support, while others feel ready to transition out once goals are met. Your therapist will collaborate with you to determine what makes the most sense for your relationship.
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We offer both online couples therapy and in-person sessions in Bozeman, giving couples flexibility in how they receive support while maintaining the same thoughtful, relationship-focused approach.
Telehealth couples therapy allows partners to meet together from the comfort of their home using a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Online sessions can be a good fit for couples with busy schedules, long commutes, childcare needs, or those who feel more at ease meeting from a familiar environment. Many couples find that telehealth still allows for meaningful connection, emotional depth, and productive work.
For couples who prefer meeting face-to-face, we also offer in-person couples therapy at our Bozeman office. In-person sessions can feel grounding for some couples and provide a shared physical space to slow down, connect, and work through challenges together.
Our clinicians can help you decide whether online, in-person, or a combination of both is the best fit for your relationship and goals.