The Best Alternative To
COuples Counseling
Are You at a Crossroads in Your Relationship?
Are you feeling stuck, unsure where to turn, and wondering whether your relationship challenges are foundational or fixable? If you’ve landed here, chances are you’ve been struggling for a while—perhaps feeling the weight of persistent tension or like you’ve become little more than roommates. Maybe your daily lives have become isolated “silos,” leaving you wondering how things got this way.
You might be here because of a breach of trust, a betrayal, or a growing lack of intimacy. Instead of soothing each other during stressful times, perhaps it feels like you’re amplifying each other’s distress. Communication feels broken, conflict resolution seems impossible, and you may even be questioning whether your relationship has what it takes to survive.
But where do you go from here?
THINK COACHING and COUNSELING AREN’t FOR YOU?
For many, the idea of reaching out for help feels foreign. Cultural norms, upbringing, or stigma might have taught you that counseling is “for other people” and that you should figure things out on your own. This sentiment is especially prevalent in communities of color, where societal barriers and cultural stigmas often discourage seeking mental health services. According to the American Psychological Association, while 41% of White adults in the U.S. sought mental health services in the past year, only 25% of Black and Hispanic adults and 23% of Asian adults did the same. This gap underscores a systemic issue that leaves many without the support they deserve.
Even when you’ve decided to pursue help, finding the right fit can feel overwhelming. Maybe you even found us by doing a search for “couples counseling near me”. Maybe you found it hard to align with someone who truly “gets it”, or were put off by long waitlists or high costs. Maybe you’ve even tried sessions before, found someone you liked, but found you were spending time and money week after week and not that much was changing at home.
If any of this resonates, you’re in the right place.
A New Alternative to Couples Counseling
Whole Relationship Solutions was started because our founder, Dawn, decided to build the kind of sessions she would want- with her history of ADHD and anxiety, and her background in psychology, she understood the value of counseling, but often wanted real, practical, tangible tools and solutions to implement. Hence, we emerged to offer an alternative to traditional couples counseling.
Our mission is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where couples can engage in deep, open, and vulnerable conversations. Together, we explore tools and strategies that foster trust, intimacy, and better communication, all grounded in years of research into the neuroscience of habits and change.
As a premarital counselor and career transition coach with over a decade of experience, Dawn brings a unique perspective to relationship coaching. Our work is informed by neuroscience, practical strategies, and proven methods, including insights from the Gottman Institute, which has spent decades researching what makes relationships thrive. Our goal is to help couples achieve clarity, deepen trust, and build stronger connections—whether that means repairing a relationship or transitioning compassionately to the next phase.
DO you find yourselves arguing over seemingly trivial issues, like how to load the dishwasher?
Often conflict shows up over seemingly mundane items of day-to-day life, because they tie in to bigger issues—like whether we feel respected, heard, and appreciated.
Many times how we’re feeling has little to do with the facts of the situation, but with our different lenses of processing. One of you might seem to be “too sensitive” or “making a mountain our of a molehill”, and the other may seem to be cold, or to shut down too easily. You may be “Waffle/Spaghetti.” Bill and Pam Farrell coined these terms for the very real differences neuroscience show us in how men and women tend to process and make decisions. One likely compartmentalizes ("Waffle"),the other to form associations and connections all over the brain ("Spaghetti"). These distinctions are certainly not always on gender lines, but we tend to lean more one way than the other, and we tend to be drawn to our counterpart.
When we understand our differences, it can help us feel more comfortable with each other and not take things personally.
Note: Everyday conflicts are distinct from harmful dynamics like verbal abuse, dismissiveness, or hostility. If you’re experiencing these serious issues, seeking professional intervention is crucial.
Here’s what relationship coaching offers:
A Safe, Inclusive Space: Every session is judgment-free, welcoming couples of all backgrounds and relationship structures.
Goal-Oriented Support: Together, we’ll identify your relationship goals and determine whether to work toward repair, clarity, or compassionate separation.
Practical Tools: Using research-based strategies, I’ll guide you in building communication skills, resolving conflicts, and fostering intimacy and connection.
Tailored Plans: Whether you’re navigating a high-stress period or rethinking the foundations of your partnership, we’ll create a plan that works for you.
The focus isn’t just on fixing what’s broken—it’s about building a partnership filled with romance, fun, and trust.
The tools and strategies we provide are grounded in extensive research into the neuroscience of habits and behavioral change, focusing on how individuals perceive and process experiences differently. Additionally, we draw heavily from decades of empirical research conducted by the Gottman Institute. Their work has identified the key predictors of successful relationships, warning signs of dysfunction, and evidence-based practices that effectively reduce tension, contempt, criticism, and negativity while fostering healthier and more fulfilling connections.
Breaking Generational Patterns
For many couples, this work isn’t just about the present—it’s about breaking generational cycles. If you’ve inherited unhealthy communication styles or unresolved trauma from your family, coaching offers an opportunity to rewrite the narrative for yourself and future generations.
Addressing Common Concerns
If you’re still on the fence, here are some common questions I hear from clients:
What if my partner isn’t sure about attending?
That’s okay. First of all, you are welcome to schedule a free, no-pressure-at-all consultation directly with one of our coaches so you can get a feel for the energy and ask any questions. You are also welcome to start with an individual session to explore your concerns. Most clients feel a sense of relief and hope after the first session. This can set the stage for potential future joint sessions.
Do you accept insurance?
No. This is coaching, not counseling or therapy. However, we’ve set the practice up as mindfully as possible to ensure that, in most cases, this is not a long, drawn-out journey where you can anticipate spending a lot of money week after week for months of years. Almost all couples find the relief, direction, and momentum they were seeking in the initial six sessions. But we don’t leave after the six! You are encouraged to continue once a month or quarterly to have the touchstone of support, and can do so at a discounted rate, without needing to be concerned about an ongoing, long-term commitment.
We have an unconventional relationship. Are you a fit for us?
Absolutely. Whether you’re in a traditional relationship or exploring non-monogamy or other structures, We’re here to provide guidance grounded in intentionality, consent, and compassion.
Should I choose coaching or therapy?
Great question. Relationship Coaching is not a substitute for therapy, but can serve as a wonderful and supportive companion to individual therapy. While therapy can help you with the specifics of understanding and healing from trauma, or of addressing the specific therapeutic needs associated with addiction, anger, sexual concerns or mental health challenges, Coaching will help you navigate relational dynamics that are almost certainly impacted by a whole host of these layers and components. Your relationship is likely to be influenced by your different attachment styles and love languages, mental health challenges- including ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and depression, trauma, addiction, betrayal, physical and sexual challenges, and so much more. We can talk about all areas, and will work on helping you better understand and support each other, and develop tools for communication, and deepened connection.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re ready to approach old problems with new strategies, take the first step today. You can schedule a free consultation to explore your options and determine whether this is the right fit for you. Individuals and couples are welcome.
Let’s start building the partnership you deserve.