GROW STRONGER TOGETHER
Couples Therapy in Virginia
Hi, Hola! My name is Ximena Marin Gutierrez MSW. I help couples communicate, reconnect, and move forward with intention.
I work with couples across Virginia who feel disconnected, stuck in recurring conflict, or unsure how to move forward together. Many of the couples I support still care deeply about one another — they’re just overwhelmed, misaligned, or caught in patterns that no longer work.
Couples therapy offers a space to slow down, understand what’s happening beneath the arguments, and rebuild emotional safety. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and focused on helping both partners feel heard and respected.
Couples seek therapy with me when they want to:
Improve communication and reduce conflict
Break out of repetitive arguments
Rebuild trust and emotional closeness
Strengthen intimacy and connection
Navigate major life transitions or stressors
Process cultural differences and blended family dynamics
Premarital Counseling (PREPARE/ENRICH)
Premarital counseling is a structured, proactive approach for couples who are engaged or seriously considering marriage and want to build a strong foundation before taking the next step.
I use the evidence-based PREPARE/ENRICH program, which begins with a comprehensive online relationship assessment completed by both partners.
Why the PREPARE/ENRICH Assessment Matters
The assessment provides a detailed picture of your relationship strengths and growth areas, including communication styles, conflict patterns, values, expectations, finances, family-of-origin influences, and intimacy.
Rather than guessing what to focus on, the assessment allows us to:
Personalize each session to your specific relationship
Identify potential challenges early — before they become larger issues
Highlight strengths you can intentionally build on
Create focused, meaningful conversations that move you forward
Your results directly guide our work together, helping sessions feel intentional, efficient, and relevant to your relationship.
Premarital counseling typically takes place over 8–10 sessions, allowing enough time to explore core topics, practice new skills, and feel confident moving into marriage with greater clarity and connection.
Topics PREPARE/ENRICH can help with:
Communication styles and conflict resolution
Relationship strengths and growth areas
Values, beliefs, and long-term expectations
Perspective on financial responsibility and decision-making
Roles, responsibilities, and teamwork
Emotional and physical intimacy
Family-of-origin influences and boundaries
Stress, coping skills, and problem-solving
Commitment, trust, and relationship satisfaction
Premarital counseling is a good fit if you are:
Engaged or planning marriage
Wanting a proactive, structured approach
Interested in skill-building and long-term relationship health
Looking to strengthen your foundation before your wedding day
Premarital Counseling vs. Couples Therapy: Which Is Right for You?
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy is a process-oriented approach for partners who are experiencing relationship concerns, emotional distance, or ongoing conflict.
In couples therapy, we focus on:
Identifying unhelpful communication and conflict patterns
Understanding emotional triggers and unmet needs
Repairing trust and unresolved hurts
Increasing emotional attunement and responsiveness
Developing healthier ways to navigate conflict and closeness
Couples therapy may be right for you if you are:
Feeling stuck in the same arguments
Experiencing emotional or physical disconnection
Struggling with trust or intimacy
Navigating stress, transitions, or relational strain
This work is tailored to where you are now — whether you’re feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure how to repair what’s been strained.
What It’s Like to Work Together
I offer virtual therapy for couples in Virginia who are ready to nurture in their relationship and create meaningful change. Sessions are collaborative, balanced, and respectful of both partners’ experiences. You don’t need to be at a breaking point to begin therapy. If something feels off, distant, or unsustainable, that’s reason enough to reach out. You can also be in a space of wanting to do preventative work to lay the groundwork for a healthier foundation. Services are available in English or in Spanish.
If you’re ready to strengthen your relationship and move forward with more clarity and connection, couples therapy can help.
Fees & Structure
Couples Therapy: $145 per session
Premarital Counseling (PREPARE/ENRICH): $145 per session
PREPARE/ENRICH Assessment: one-time $40 per couple (separate from session fees)
The PREPARE/ENRICH assessment helps tailor each premarital session to your specific relationship strengths and growth areas, making the work focused and efficient.
Premarital counseling typically includes 8–10 sessions to support skill-building, communication, and long-term relationship health.
If you’re unsure whether premarital counseling or standard couples therapy is the best fit, we can clarify this during your first session.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Couples therapy sessions are 55 minutes.
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Most couples begin with weekly or biweekly sessions, depending on their needs and availability. Session frequency can be adjusted as goals are met.
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The length of therapy varies by couple. Premarital counseling typically takes place over 8–10 sessions. Standard couples therapy may be longer-term, depending on the goals you’re working toward.
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Yes, couples therapy is offered as a private-pay service. Insurance is not accepted for couples therapy.
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No. Premarital counseling generally follows an 8–10 session structure. Couples therapy is usually a longer term commitment depending on the scope of the areas you are seeking to address. Whether you are seeking help for communication skills or deeper processing/connection, I can assist. We will regularly check in to ensure therapy is meeting your needs.
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Book a consultation call. If you’re unsure whether premarital counseling or standard couples therapy is the best fit, we can discuss this during your initial appointment.