Ready to stop having the same fight and start building something real? Let's begin.
Relationships are supposed to evolve, but most couples mistake the growing pains for failure. We think conflict means something is broken. The truth is, it’s often a sign that your relationship is trying to level up, but one or both of you are stuck. That’s why I use the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy, a clinically grounded, stage-based approach that helps couples build emotional resilience, repair intimacy, and move forward with clarity.
What Is the Developmental Model?
Developed by Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson, this model views your relationship as a living thing. It grows through predictable stages, from initial connection to differentiation to a deeper, more resilient synergy.
Conflict isn't a crisis; it's a growth opportunity. I help you see where each of you is developmentally, unpack the patterns that keep you stuck, and build the kind of intimacy that can handle the truth.
What it's like to work with me:
This isn’t “he said, she said” therapy. This isn’t endless circling or playing referee. And it is definitely not about labeling one of you "the problem." Instead, I:
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Identify where each partner is emotionally and developmentally
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Normalize discomfort as a key part of relational growth
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Help you tolerate emotional risk (the real path to intimacy)
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Challenge you gently (but directly) to show up differently
“There’s nothing worse than being married 70 years and realizing at the end: I never truly knew them. Let’s not let that happen.”
Who I Work With
Executive + Global Couples
Partners in high-stakes careers or public roles, navigating:
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Burnout, visibility, parenting, and power imbalances
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Emotional distance hidden behind a polished
High-Conflict or Emotionally Complex Relationships
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Recurring arguments, silent treatments, and cycles of resentment
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Trauma bonds or historical grief between partners
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A breakdown of communication or trust
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Discreet couples counseling for when one partner is “leaning out,” while the other is fighting to hold on
Cross-Cultural & International Couples
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Transnational identity, immigration strain, or cultural misunderstandings
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English-speaking therapy across geographies, time zones, and languages
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Creating a shared relational “language” rooted in emotional fluency
Why This Approach Works
This model doesn’t promise a fantasy; it delivers transformation. You’ll build the muscle to handle hard conversations, develop mutual respect, and return to intimacy with clarity and choice. We’re not patching cracks here. We’re rebuilding the foundation.
If you’re both willing to show up, especially when it’s uncomfortable, I’ll guide you through the mess and into something more meaningful.
I am a California-licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT) with a PhD, practicing in France for the past 9 years. In France, only certain professionals may use the legal title “psychotherapist”, so I use the broader title therapist. My focus is on couples, families, and individuals, bringing over 30 years of international experience. Sessions are private-pay; some supplemental insurances (mutuelles) may cover part of the cost.
