Couples Therapy in New York City

We all grow up hearing the promise of “happily ever after.” But real life isn’t a fairy tale.  Bills, stress, unspoken feelings, money worries, and intimacy struggles can slowly build walls, even between partners who love each other deeply

Maybe you find yourselves arguing over the smallest things. Maybe you feel unseen, unheard, or like your needs don’t matter. Maybe the romance has faded, replaced by distance, frustration, or silence. And sometimes, trauma or anxiety makes it even harder to feel close.

But these struggles don’t mean your marriage or your relationship is over. They mean it’s time for support.

At Gabriela Tilevitz Therapy, we help couples and polycules work through rebuilding trust, improving communication, and finding the closeness you’ve been missing. With guidance and care, love can grow again.

Understand the cycles of your intimate relationships

What Is Relationship Therapy?

Couples therapy - including polycule and relationship therapy - is a gold standard psychological treatment that helps partners break unhealthy patterns, strengthen communication, and rebuild intimacy. It is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy where a licensed clinician works with couples or multi-partner relationships to address recurring conflicts, emotional disconnection, infidelity, trauma, financial stress, or intimacy concerns.

Sometimes one partner worries they’ll be blamed, or believes the problems are “all on the other side.” Therapy helps shift that pattern. Instead of one-sided blame, you both get the support and structure to understand each other’s perspectives and build healthier ways of connecting.

Signs It Might Be Time for Couples Therapy

Many couples wait until their relationship feels like it’s at a breaking point before seeking therapy. But the truth is, therapy can help long before things feel “too far gone.” Ignoring issues often makes them heavier over time, showing up as constant arguments, emotional distance, or feelings of being stuck.

Couples therapy gives you a safe, neutral space to slow down, talk underneath the surface, without blame or judgment, and work through the things that keep getting in the way of closeness. Here, both partners are heard, supported, and guided to healthier patterns of communication and connection.

*If there is abuse or violence, safety must come first. Couples therapy may not be the right place to begin, and individual help or crisis support to make sure everyone is safe before trying to work on the relationship.

Common Reasons to go to Couples Therapy

  • Communication Problems

    Conversations turn into arguments or silence 

    Feeling like your partner doesn’t listen or understand

    Struggling to make decisions together without tension

  • Conflict and Resentment

    Frequent fights over the same issues with no feeling of progress

    Small things blow up into big arguments and a reliving of the past

    Feeling like you’re more against each other than on the same team

  • Loss of Connection & Intimacy

    You can’t remember the last time you felt close or playful

    Physical intimacy and sexual desire has faded or feels like a chore

    You miss the connection you once had, even when you’re together

  • Stressors & Life Pressures

    Disagreements about money or financial strain

    Complications with in-laws, relatives, or friends

    Parenting stress or conflicting styles creates tension

What Results Can We Expect from Couples Therapy?

Couples therapy doesn’t magically erase problems overnight, but it does give you the tools, guidance, and support to handle challenges differently. Many couples find that with consistent effort, therapy becomes a turning point where frustration and distance are replaced by understanding, teamwork, and closeness.

Here are some of the results you can expect when you commit to couples therapy:

  • Fights that don’t break you apart – disagreements stop turning into blowups and become chances to understand each other better.

  • Better communication – you feel heard and understood instead of going in circles or shutting down.

  • More closeness – affection, intimacy, and connection start to feel natural again.

  • Trust rebuilt – old hurts stop taking over, and a sense of safety grows back.

  • A stronger team – money, stress, parenting struggles, or family pressures stop feeling like one person’s burden—you face them together.

  • Clarity and peace – some couples rediscover love and deeper commitment, while others choose to part ways respectfully. Either way, therapy brings relief, understanding, and a way forward.

Couples therapy and marriage counseling in NYC can help at any stage, early on, before marriage (pre-marital therapy), or later (post-marital counseling). You don’t have to wait and hope things will improve on their own.

Do Polycule or Multi-Partner Relationships Need Couples Therapy?

Yes, polycules and multi-partner relationships often benefit from therapy. More partners mean more voices, more emotions, and sometimes, more chances for conflict or misunderstanding. Therapy helps create balance and clarity so everyone feels valued.

Why you might need therapy:

  • Frequent communication breakdowns – some partners feel left out, ignored, or unheard.

  • Jealousy or insecurity – emotions that come up when time, intimacy, or attention feels uneven.

  • Boundary conflicts – unclear or broken agreements around intimacy, privacy, or openness.

  • Time and energy strain – difficulty juggling multiple relationships without burning out.

  • Trust issues – secrecy, dishonesty, or betrayal, causing distance.

  • Outside pressures – money, parenting, or families who don’t understand non-monogamy.

Why Clients Trust Gabriela Tilevitz Therapy for Sex Therapy in New York

At Gabriela Tilevitz Therapy, all relationships are welcome—LGBTQ+ couples, multi-partner/polycule relationships, and long-term partners feeling the strain of distance or conflict. No matter what your relationship looks like, you don’t have to face these challenges alone.

We know how heavy it feels when communication breaks down, intimacy fades, or trust feels fragile. Our therapists bring both expertise and lived understanding, creating a safe space where painful patterns can shift. With training in EFT, the Gottman Method, IFS, EMDR, and somatic practices, we work with both the mind and body to help you heal and reconnect.

Our deepest commitment is helping you and your partner(s) rediscover safety, closeness, and joy in your relationship, so that everyone feels seen, valued, and truly understood.

Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Counseling in New York

  • There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some couples or polycules notice meaningful changes within just a few sessions, while others continue longer to strengthen new habits and deepen their connection. We go at the pace that best supports your needs.

  • That’s very common. Sometimes one partner is more ready than the other. Therapy doesn’t force anyone; it gives both of you space to share concerns openly. Even if one of you is unsure, starting the process often helps ease that resistance once you see it’s about understanding each other, not assigning blame.

  • Your privacy is always protected. We set clear agreements so everyone feels safe sharing openly. What’s said in therapy stays in therapy. Trust is the foundation of this work.

  • That’s actually expected! Sessions are a safe space to work through conflict with guidance. Your therapist will help slow things down, highlight the patterns underneath, and turn arguments into chances for real understanding.

  • No, you can choose what feels most comfortable. We offer both in-person sessions in NYC and secure online therapy for couples and polycules.

  • Please reach out to us by filling out a contact form and we will get back to you soon.