Protect the time around the session
Try not to schedule the session between two demanding obligations. Even ten quiet minutes before and after can help you arrive, settle, and avoid rushing straight back into work or family tasks.
Confirm that both partners will be physically in Texas and have a private place to join. Charge devices, silence notifications, and bring water if that helps you stay settled.
Bring a moment, not a prosecution
Think of one recent exchange that captures the pattern you want help with. You do not need screenshots, a timeline of every offense, or evidence designed to make John rule in your favor.
A concrete moment gives the work somewhere to begin. John can help you understand what happened inside it without deciding that one partner is the defendant.
Notice what you hope will be different
Goals can be simple and unfinished. You may want to talk without escalating, feel less alone, rebuild trust, or understand whether you can reconnect. Partners do not have to use identical words.
It is also useful to name what you do not want repeated from earlier counseling. That helps John understand what each of you needs in order to engage.
Avoid the pre-session fight
Couples sometimes begin arguing in advance about what will be said. If a planning conversation starts to escalate, pause it. You do not have to settle the issue before bringing it into the session.
Make a brief note for yourself instead of rehearsing the whole argument. The session can hold disagreement more safely when neither partner arrives already exhausted.
What the 50 minutes actually hold
John usually asks what happened since you last met and chooses one important thread rather than trying to cover every event. He slows the conversation, checks understanding, and helps each partner speak from the experience beneath the reaction.
You are allowed to pause, correct something that did not land, or say that you do not know yet. The work does not depend on performing vulnerability on demand.
Afterward, let the work settle
You may leave with one practice or something to notice. Resist turning the drive home or the next hour into a review of who did better in counseling. A short break can keep the session from becoming another scorecard.
The free consultation is 30 minutes. Ongoing sessions are $175 for 50 minutes, private pay, and no outcome can be guaranteed.
Common Questions
Should we make a list before the session?
A short note can help, but you do not need a complete agenda. One recent moment and one hope for the work are enough to begin.
What if we are not calm before we join?
You do not need to arrive perfectly regulated. If tension is already high, tell John so he can help slow the opening conversation.
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.