The consultation is a fit conversation
The free 30-minute consultation gives both partners a chance to meet John, ask practical questions, and describe what brings you in without recounting private clinical detail. It is a conversation about fit, not a miniature session or a commitment to continue.
You can ask how John works, what felt unhelpful in previous counseling, and whether both of you feel respected. If the fit is not right, learning that before a full session is useful information.
Early sessions build a shared map
At first, John learns what drew you together, what has changed, and what happens when conversations go wrong. Each partner may understand the problem differently. The task is not to force one account, but to see the sequence that keeps catching both of you.
Early work often brings relief because the pattern becomes more visible. It can also feel tender. John stays active, slows escalation, and makes sure one partner's urgency does not erase the other's experience.
The middle is where practice matters
As the cycle becomes familiar, sessions move from describing it to changing it. You practice naming what is underneath criticism, defensiveness, silence, or pursuit, and responding to the more honest message.
Outside the session, change is usually built through small repeatable moments rather than dramatic gestures. You bring back what worked, what did not, and where the old pattern took over again.
Progress is discussed openly
John checks whether counseling is helping and whether the goals still fit. Progress may mean recognizing escalation sooner, repairing more reliably, or feeling safer raising a difficult subject. It does not require a perfect relationship.
No counselor can guarantee an outcome. If the work stalls or another kind of support is needed, that deserves a direct conversation rather than continuing from momentum.
What a session actually looks like
Both partners meet with John by telehealth for 50 minutes while physically in Texas. A session often centers on one real moment from the week. John helps you slow it down enough to notice what each person felt, assumed, and did next.
He may interrupt the familiar loop, ask one partner to say something more directly, and check how it landed with the other. You do not need polished answers or a prepared speech.
Ending well is part of the work
Counseling does not need to continue indefinitely. When your goals have been met or you can work with the pattern differently, you and John can talk about spacing sessions out or ending intentionally.
A thoughtful ending reviews what changed, what still needs attention, and how you will recognize if support would be useful again. Sessions are $175 for 50 minutes and private pay.
Common Questions
How many sessions will we need?
There is no preset number. You and John revisit your goals and whether the work is helping rather than promising a timeline.
What if we decide John is not the right fit?
You can say so. The consultation and ongoing check-ins are meant to support an honest fit, not pressure you to continue.
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.