Marriage Counseling & Therapy in San Diego

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MARRIAGE COUNSELING

Build a stronger, more connected marriage with marriage counseling in San Diego.

Even the strongest marriages go through seasons of stress, distance and conflict. Maybe your communication has broken down, your fights are starting to feel repetitive or unexpected hardship has pushed you two apart more than you ever would have thought possible. When tension is allowed to build in a marriage, it will slowly impact everything - your home, your mood, your health and your overall sense of security.

But marriage doesn’t have to stay stuck in these kinds of patterns. With the right support and a willingness to be vulnerable and work together, you and your partner can rebuild your sense of passion for each other, resolve long-standing issues for good and build the marriage you both want. Change is possible at any stage of marriage and it’s my mission to help you get there.

WHERE I CAN HELP

Common marital challenges we can address…

Communication problems and recurring fights/disagreements
Emotional distance, lack of connection and feelings of “growing apart”
Trust issues, insecurities and unhealthy attachment styles
Sexual concerns, intimacy struggles and loss of passion
Infidelity, affairs and rebuilding trust
Negative relationship patterns and unresolved resentments from the past
Feeling unheard, underappreciated or misunderstood
Distribution of household & parenting chores as well as the mental load
Struggles with communicating boundaries, needs or expectations
External stressors such as children & parenting, financial stress, grief, work–life balance, family member challenges or major life transitions
Addictions or other unhealthy behaviors impacting the marriage (alcohol, drugs, porn, etc.)
Navigating consensual non-monogamy or considering an open marriage

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN

How marriage counseling can help your marriage

Release of built-up tension and resentment

Therapy gives you a safe space to unpack old hurts, clear emotional blockages and finally let go of the frustrations that have been weighing your marriage down.

Healthier communication & smoother conflict

You’ll learn how to express needs, listen without defensiveness and build a more secure, steady bond, even during stressful moments.

Deeper emotional + physical intimacy

We’ll help you rebuild trust, affection and connection so you can feel like loving partners again, not just like roommates sharing a home together.

Fulfilling marriage that supports both partners

With stronger foundations and better teamwork, your relationship can become a source of support, joy and long-term satisfaction for you both.

Wow! What a relief to find a therapist like Dana. Dana genuinely cares about you. She helped us so much. She was the perfect blend of soft and direct we were looking for. Dana is very communicative and really seems to love doing therapy. She's also a mom so it was easy to know she understood a little bit of our struggle too. We highly recommend Dana to anyone in the San Diego area who is seeking couple therapy. We've also referred individuals to her who have had similar experience with her. A+++

— Former Client
I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Dana for over two years, and I continue to be impressed by her skill, warmth, and dedication as a couples therapist. Dana is genuine and compassionate, and really takes the time to understand her clients. In our time collaborating, I’ve seen how thoughtfully she uses Emotionally Focused Therapy and has a natural ability to hold space for both partners. I would wholeheartedly recommend Dana to any couple seeking a therapist who is not only highly skilled but also deeply caring.

— Colleague
I wholeheartedly recommend Dana without reservation. She is a highly skilled couples therapist who supports her clients using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to create lasting, meaningful change. Her lived experiences bring an additional depth to her work, allowing her to connect with clients in a way that feels both compassionate and truly understanding. She brings warmth, empathy, and genuine care into every session, creating a safe and supportive space for growth. Any client would be fortunate to work with her.

— Colleague

MY APPROACH

Emotionally-focussed therapy (EFT) for happy and long-lasting marriages

When working with couples, I use a modality called Emotionally Focused Therapy (or EFT for short). Regardless of your specific issues, EFT is designed to help you identify the emotional patterns at the root of your struggles and shift your dynamic away from anger, distance & blame towards understanding, connection and trust.

As your therapist, my goal is to help you learn how to notice reactive patterns when they happen and equip you with the right tools so you can communicate effectively and create an environment of emotional safety

EFT is a very non-judgmental and compassionate approach. The goal is not to blame one another or identify one partner as the source of all problems but rather about helping both of you to step out of old cycles so you can build a stronger, healthier connection with each other.

Learn more about EFT

Portrait photo of Dana Sockolov couples & relationship therapist San Diego - Couples & Relationship Counseling

ABOUT ME

Why choose marriage counseling with me?

An empathy-driven, non-blaming approach that prioritizes mutual understanding instead of arguing over who’s “right”.

Experienced EFT therapist working with long-term relationships facing real-life marital stressors.

Available for in-person therapy in a comfortable office in San Diego. Online sessions possible when needed.

A deeply personal & genuine therapeutic relationship. Not rushed, surface-level care you often get at larger practices.

Learn more about me

FEES & FAQs

Everything you need to know about starting therapy with me

Head over to my FAQ page to find all the practical information about working with me, such as what to expect, costs, the insurance providers I accept, my working hours, etc.

Check out my FAQs

Take your first step towards healing

Finding a therapist that really gets you can be tricky - I know! You never know if you’ll actually click with someone until you can speak to them. To help make that process easier for you, I offer a free 15-min online consultation so you can meet me, ask questions and decide for yourself if the vibe is right.