When the relationship is the client
Couples counseling fits when the central concern shows up between you: the same conflict, emotional distance, a trust injury, or a transition you cannot navigate together. Both partners attend, and the relationship pattern is the focus.
John works with couples only. He does not provide individual therapy, even as an occasional substitute when one partner cannot attend.
When individual therapy may fit
Individual work may be more appropriate when one person needs private support for concerns that are primarily their own, or needs assessment, diagnosis-led treatment, trauma treatment, medication support, or other care outside a couples counselor's scope.
That does not mean the relationship is irrelevant. It means one part of the situation needs a setting built around one person's health and goals.
When both can happen
A partner can see an individual provider while the couple works with John. This may help when personal stress, grief, trauma symptoms, or another concern affects the relationship but also needs its own dedicated care.
Clear roles matter. The individual provider works for one person's goals. John keeps the couples sessions focused on the relationship and does not coordinate care unless appropriate permissions and a clear reason are in place.
Why separate providers matter
Using the same counselor for both ongoing individual and couples therapy can create confusion about whose interests guide the work and what information belongs in the room. Separate providers keep the roles clearer.
John does not diagnose, conduct assessments, prescribe medication, or act as a psychologist. If those services are needed, he will encourage the appropriate outside support.
What a session actually looks like
Couples sessions are 50 minutes by telehealth, with both partners physically in Texas. John starts with the relationship: a recent exchange, a recurring pattern, or a moment when one of you reached and the other pulled away.
He helps each person understand their own move and hear the other's experience. The session is not divided into two individual appointments. It remains a shared conversation about what happens between you.
Choosing your next step
The free 30-minute consultation can help you ask whether the concern belongs in couples work. It is not an assessment and does not replace consultation with an individual or medical provider when that is what you need.
Ongoing couples sessions are $175 for 50 minutes and private pay. No type of therapy can guarantee a particular outcome.
Common Questions
Can I see John individually first?
No. John works with couples only and does not offer individual therapy. Both partners attend couples sessions together.
Can one of us have an individual therapist too?
Yes. Individual care with a separate provider can happen alongside couples counseling when each service has a clear purpose.
How long are sessions and what do they cost?
Sessions are 50 minutes and $175. The first 30-minute consultation is free. John works on a private-pay basis and does not bill insurance directly, though some couples have out-of-network benefits worth asking their plan about.
Take the Next Step
If any of this sounds like your relationship, the next step is a free 30-minute consultation. Both of you can meet John, ask what you want to ask, and decide together whether to schedule a first session. You can also call or text 817-381-0691.