Mary Kay Cocharo, MFT

18/08/2025

Sometimes it’s not about fixing what’s broken — it’s about finding your way back to each other. Encounter-centered Couples Therapy, inspired by the work of Hedy Schleifer, creates a safe, sacred “Space Between” where partners can slow down, truly see one another, and reconnect in ways they never imagined possible.

💗 Read how this approach transforms relationships — and why I use it in my work with couples.

https://www.mkcocharo.com/ecct/

15/08/2025

Feeling so grateful to be featured by Imago Relationships North America for an article I wrote on one of my favorite topics—creating emotional safety in your relationship. 💕

When we feel truly safe with our partner—seen, heard, and accepted—we can open our hearts in ways that deepen love and connection.

If you’re curious about how to build that kind of trust and intimacy, you can read the full article here:

Learn how to create emotional safety in your marriage, the foundation of lasting intimacy with practical tools, daily connection habits, and proven strategies to rebuild trust and deepen your bond.

11/08/2025

💛 Monday Mindset for Couples 💛

Mondays can feel like a rush. New week, long to-do lists, and a million things pulling your attention.

But what if you started the week together instead of apart?

Here’s a simple ritual:
☕ Share your morning coffee and ask each other, “What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this week?”
It takes less than 5 minutes, but sets a tone of connection before the chaos kicks in.

Need help coming up with fresh questions like this every week?
🃏 Check out my Connect–Communicate–Create card deck under Resources on my website. It's packed with conversation starters to help you deepen your connection, one prompt at a time.

07/08/2025

💬 Therapist-Approved! 💬

I love hearing how the Connect–Communicate–Create card deck is showing up in real relationships, especially from fellow clinicians.

Here’s what one clinical psychologist (who specializes in couples therapy!) had to say:

“This deck is fantastic!!! An absolute gem to increase connection between couples!!! Mary Kay covers all areas of relational work. The deck is easy to use, well thought out, and beautifully designed so you can leave it in a handy and visible place that will remind you to use it regularly!!! Fantastic!!!! Bravo!!”

Helping couples connect more deeply, both in and out of therapy, is exactly why this deck was created. 💞🃏

If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the perfect time:
👉 Physical Deck on Amazon
👉 Virtual Deck on Deckible
🌐 Visit www.connect-communicate-create.com for more information and to get yours!

06/08/2025

04/08/2025

💬 What if this August, you reimagined your relationship… instead of ending it?

As a couples therapist, I’ve worked with many parents who feel the love is gone, but who still care deeply about their kids, their home, and each other.

This is where the idea of a Parenting Marriage comes in.

It’s not just “staying together for the kids.” It’s a conscious decision to shift the relationship from romantic to co-parenting partners with clarity, respect, and shared intention.

In this article, I break down:
🌿 What a Parenting Marriage is
🌿 Who it can work well for
🌿 How to set it up thoughtfully—with agreements, not assumptions

If you're feeling uncertain about next steps in your marriage, August can be a time for honest reflection and new beginnings. 💛

💻 Read more here:
👉 https://www.mkcocharo.com/parenting-marriage/

I'd love to hear your thoughts, does this idea resonate with you or someone you know?

In "Is Parenting Marriage," a marriage therapist explores the challenges couples face when parenting affects their relationship. The blog highlights the struggle to reconcile love and partnership while prioritizing their children.

29/07/2025

Hello again!👋

In case we haven’t met, I’m Mary Kay Cocharo, LMFT, a Couples Therapist based in Los Angeles, CA.

I’ve been in private practice for over 35 years, helping couples deepen their connection, navigate challenges, and create more conscious, loving partnerships. My work is grounded in Encounter-Centered Couples Therapy, an approach I’m passionate about sharing with both couples and professionals.

Over the years, I’ve created:
💞 The Connect–Communicate–Create card deck to inspire deeper conversations at home ➡️ https://www.connect-communicate-create.com/
🎓 An online course for coaches and therapists to grow their skills in this relational model ➡️ https://leadingedgeseminars.org/event/encounter-centered-couples-therapy-teaching-couples-the-art-of-connection/

Beyond the therapy room, I’m a mother of three grown children, a proud grandmother of two, a mentor to young therapists, and a lover of dogs and travel.

If you're here to nurture your relationship or to grow as a healing professional, you're in the right place. I’m so glad you’re here.

✨ Let’s connect! Drop a comment or message and tell me a bit about you!

27/07/2025

Change is inevitable, how you navigate it as a couple makes all the difference.

In my latest article for GoodTherapy , I share 5 key ways couples can stay connected during life transitions, from career shifts to parenthood to retirement.

📝 Read it here: https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/couples-in-relationships-navigate-life/

Transitions don’t have to pull you apart, they can bring you closer. 💞

Learn how couples in relationships can successfully navigate life transitions together. Expert tips for maintaining connection during major changes.

25/07/2025

One of the most harmful myths is that seeking counseling means your relationship is failing.

In reality, even strong couples benefit from guidance, especially during times of stress or conflict. A skilled therapist can offer tools, insights, and strategies to help you strengthen your connection and navigate challenges with more ease.

Recognizing when you need support isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of wisdom and commitment.

Let’s shift the narrative. Prioritizing your relationship is brave, healthy, and deeply loving. 💛

Check out my article, 11 Insights for a Better Relationship, to help you build deeper connection and healthier communication starting today. ➡️ www.mkcocharo.com/11-insights-for-a-better-relationship

23/07/2025

No two people, even the most compatible, agree on everything.

Conflict isn’t a sign that something is wrong. It’s simply part of being in a real, intimate relationship.

After 35+ years as a Marriage and Family Therapist and thousands of sessions with couples, I’ve seen this truth over and over:

💬 The happiest couples expect disagreement.
❤️ They navigate it with empathy, curiosity, and honest communication.
🔑 They treat conflict as a chance to grow closer, not drift apart.

That’s exactly why I created my Connect–Communicate–Create card deck.
It’s designed to help couples deepen their connection through meaningful touch, honest conversation, and shared experiences, even during the hard moments.

Let’s normalize conflict as part of growth, not a sign of failure.
It’s how we show up for each other that truly matters.

Now available here! ➡️ https://www.connect-communicate-create.com/