The Relationship Place Counseling and Therapy

11/20/2025

You’ve probably heard us mention the 𝐆𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝, but what does that really mean and why do our therapists use it?

The Gottman Method is an evidence-based approach to couples therapy developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman after over 40 years of research studying what makes relationships thrive (and what makes them fall apart).
Unlike generic “talk therapy,” the Gottman Method gives couples practical tools they can use right away to:

💛 Strengthen friendship and intimacy
💬 Improve communication and emotional understanding
⚡️ Repair conflict in healthy, productive ways
❤️ Rebuild trust and deepen connection

At The Relationship Place, we use Gottman tools and assessments to help you identify patterns, understand each other’s needs, and create a shared roadmap toward a stronger relationship.

And it works!

#𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 #𝐆𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝 #𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 #𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 #𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐭 #𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 #𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬

11/18/2025

𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘨 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘵: 𝘔𝘢𝘮𝘢’𝘴 𝘉𝘰𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱.

When a partner is overly tied to a parent, it can quietly impact emotional availability, boundaries, and even how conflict is handled. This isn’t about judgment- it’s about awareness, clarity, and understanding the patterns that shape your relationship dynamic.

In our newest post, breaks down:

✨ What “mama’s boy” behavior actually looks like (beyond the stereotype)
✨ How enmeshment forms
✨ Why these patterns can affect intimacy + partnership
✨ What healthy boundaries look like
✨ How couples therapy can help both partners feel seen, supported, and connected

If you’ve ever wondered whether this dynamic is showing up in your relationship or if you’ve felt like you’re “competing” with a parent- this one’s worth the read.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨 ↠ 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘪𝘰.

11/18/2025

Our doors (and hearts) are open. 💬

At The Relationship Place, all are welcome. Every background, every identity, every story.

If you’re ready to feel seen, supported, and understood… come see us.

11/13/2025

Say hi to 𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠, 𝐋𝐌𝐅𝐓, licensed in both California and Texas

With a background that spans over a decade in counseling, crisis work, and relationship repair, Jeffrey brings both professional expertise and deep empathy to his clients.

🧠 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬:
• Reconnecting couples in crisis
• Gottman Method (Level 3 trained)
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Trauma-informed and mindfulness-based approaches

💬 “𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟.”

Jeffrey believes that creating, fostering, and maintaining relationships is both our greatest challenge and our greatest opportunity for growth. His goal is to help each client develop curiosity, acceptance, and compassion, both for themselves and their partners.

Whether he’s guiding couples through communication breakdowns, supporting veterans rebuilding intimacy, or helping individuals live in alignment with their values, Jeffrey’s approach is calm, insightful, and deeply human.

✨ We’re honored to have him on the team.

#𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 #𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲𝐈𝐬𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥 #𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 #𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐭 #𝐆𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝 #𝐄𝐅𝐓 #𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 #𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 #𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 #𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬

11/11/2025

Feeling like trust has been broken but not sure how to rebuild it?

In our recent blog post, we explore how couples can move from betrayal to healing using the powerful three-phase framework of the John Gottman & Julie Gottman model: Atone → Attune → Attach.

* Atone: The partner who betrayed takes transparent action and acknowledges the injury.
* Attune: Both partners learn new ways to connect, communicate, and understand each other’s pain.
* Attach: Together you rebuild your connection, rituals, and shared meaning creating “Marriage #2” with the same partner.

The post doesn’t sugar-coat the pain of infidelity. Instead, it’s met with clarity, compassion, and tools you can use. Whether you’re navigating betrayal or simply seeking a stronger foundation, this article offers real steps toward repair.

📝 Written by Katrina Lopez, LMFT at The Relationship Place
📖 Read the full post via link in bio and start the process of rebuilding trust together.

11/11/2025

Finding the right therapist can change everything. 💛

After trying others, one couple shared how working with Monica finally helped them move past emotional roadblocks, rebuild trust, and communicate in a way that truly works.

Through her calm presence, compassion, and use of the Gottman Method, they found not just solutions but lasting connection.

“Thanks to her, I’m able to be a better person with a stronger relationship than ever before with my husband.” 💬

If you’ve felt stuck, disconnected, or unsure where to turn next… you don’t have to give up on your relationship.

You might just need the right guidance.

11/06/2025

Sometimes the best way to move forward together…
is to step away from everything else.

Our Couples Therapy Getaway is an immersive, private experience designed to help you reconnect, rebuild trust, and strengthen communication with expert support from a licensed therapist who specializes in relationships.

This intensive format is designed for:
Couples on the brink of separation who still want to try. Partners struggling to solve ongoing issues. Couples ready to rebuild trust after it’s been broken. Partners healing from relationship trauma either together or apart

It’s a focused space for deep work, honest conversation, and meaningful repair.
✨ Reconnect intentionally.
✨ Repair what’s felt out of sync.
✨ Remember why you chose each other.

📍Located in San Diego
💬 Learn more or reserve your getaway through the link in bio.

11/04/2025

That neon sign in our waiting area says it best: Therapy Is Cool.

Because learning healthy communication? Cool.
Setting boundaries? Very cool.
Healing your relationship patterns? Honestly, the coolest.

11/03/2025

✨ 𝑺𝒂𝒚 𝑯𝒊 𝒕𝒐 𝑫𝒓. 𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝑴𝒄𝑵𝒆𝒊𝒍 ✨
Founder of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 • 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐃, 𝐋𝐌𝐅𝐓
Certified 𝐆𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐭 • Licensed in 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚 & 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐬

My style of therapy is a lot like my personality; down-to-earth, humble, a little funny (with a side of sarcasm), and always direct but in the most loving way.

I don’t take sides or place blame; I challenge both partners to make real changes so you can create the relationship you both deserve. My sessions are honest, collaborative, and full of aha moments (and often a few good laughs).

I’m an enthusiastic overachiever when it comes to helping motivated couples reach their goals. I believe in laughing at ourselves, showing up honestly, and putting in the work. My goal? For you to feel that I’m 100 % invested in your success.

If you resonate with that and you’re ready to do the work I’d love to meet you.

📞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝟏𝟓-𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 to learn more about working with me as your couples therapist.

10/10/2025

⚡️Register Now! Coming Soon!⚡️
Even the best couples therapists will occasionally find themselves aligning with one partner. This can create a dynamic that impedes the therapeutic process.

Learn the tools to stay neutral, recognize hidden collusion, and guide couples back toward healthy connection — while protecting your therapeutic alliance and your own professional confidence.

Learn how to spot hidden collusion, stay neutral, and guide couples toward real breakthroughs in Dr. Dana McNeil’s upcoming webinar.

10/02/2025

Even the best couples therapists can get caught in subtle dynamics that stall progress—like unconscious collusion or feeling “ganged up” on.

Join Dr. Dana McNeil in this powerful webinar to learn how to stay neutral, rebuild balance, and apply Gottman-informed tools to strengthen trust and therapeutic breakthroughs.

🧠 Perfect for new & seasoned therapists
🎓 Earn 1 CE credit
💥 Build confidence & protect your client alliance

Book here: https://tinyurl.com/4mjwwhev