Why choose a couples specialist over an individual therapist?

A therapist who specializes in couples has focused training on how couples connect, communicate, and clash. Unlike a general therapist who sometimes works with couples, a specialist is better equipped to spot hidden relationship patterns, use proven techniques to improve your bond, and help you understand how your past experiences affect your relationship today.

What percentage of couples stay together after couples therapy?

The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists states 90% of couples who complete therapy with a highly trained couples therapist report an increase in their emotional well-being. Approximately two-thirds of participants also report improvements in their general physical well-being. Couples therapy has also shown to be as effective as individual therapy in addressing symptoms of depression in some cases.

How long will we have to attend couples therapy sessions?

At Kodo, couples work in four-month cycles. This structure provides enough time to build momentum, practice new tools, and see measurable change in your relationship. Most couples begin to notice meaningful shifts within the first few sessions, but lasting transformation typically unfolds over the course of a full cycle. At the end of each four-month period, we review your progress together and decide whether to transition out of therapy, extend for another cycle, or shift focus based on your evolving goals.

What if my partner doesn't want to come to couples therapy?

One partner being hesitant is common. Kodo offers Couples Therapy for One for individuals who want to work on their relationship even when their partner is not ready. Discernment Counseling is also available for couples where one partner is unsure about staying.

Do you offer therapy for non-traditional relationships?

Yes. Kodo welcomes couples of all backgrounds, identities, and relationship structures. Who you love is never a question; how you love is what we focus on together.

Do you take insurance for couples therapy?

Kodo does not currently accept insurance due to the limitations it places on the therapy process. Insurance companies often impose restrictions on the types of treatment and the number of sessions covered, which can limit the flexibility needed for effective therapy. Detailed superbills are provided that you can submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement.

Do you offer remote couples therapy sessions?

Yes. Kodo offers secure and confidential remote therapy sessions for couples and individuals throughout California.

What is the cost of couples counseling in Marin County?

Sessions at Kodo are $225 to $250 for 50 minutes or $330 for 80 minutes depending on clinician. Monthly superbills are available for Marin County clients who wish to use PPO out-of-network benefits.

Do you offer in-person couples intensives in Marin County?

Yes. We offer in-person couples intensives for partners in Mill Valley, San Rafael, and throughout Marin County who want to work more deeply and efficiently than traditional weekly therapy allows.

What is the difference between marriage counseling and Relational Life Therapy (RLT)?

Relational Life Therapy (RLT) is a therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and changing relational patterns such as power struggles, emotional withdrawal, and reactivity in order to improve connection and accountability.

How long does couples therapy take?

At Kodo, couples work in four-month cycles. Most couples notice meaningful shifts within the first few sessions. At the end of each cycle we review progress together and decide whether to continue, shift focus, or transition out.

What makes Kodo different from other couples therapists in Marin?

Kodo is a couples-only practice. Every clinician specializes exclusively in relationship work, using Relational Life Therapy, EMDR, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. We do not do general therapy with occasional couples sessions — relationships are all we do.

EMDR for Couples: Trauma Healing in Novato & Sonoma

May 29

Written By Sheena Simpson

Why Trauma Shows Up in Relationships

Many couples searching for EMDR therapy for couples are dealing with recurring emotional triggers that traditional talk therapy has not fully resolved. EMDR couples therapy is especially helpful when trauma responses such as shutdown, anger, or emotional withdrawal—continue to show up in the relationship even when both partners are trying to communicate better.

Instead of focusing only on conversation, EMDR helps regulate the nervous system so each partner can process traumatic experiences without becoming overwhelmed. This makes it particularly effective for trauma and relationship repair, especially in cases involving betrayal, childhood trauma, or PTSD-related stress patterns that impact emotional safety between partners.

What Is EMDR & Why Use It With Couples?

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) is an eight-phase, evidence-based approach that helps the brain reprocess stuck traumatic material using bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements or tactile taps). Research shows EMDR can reduce PTSD symptoms faster than many traditional talk therapies (American Psychological Associatio n).

Unique Benefits in a Couple’s Context

Couples often search for EMDR therapy near Novato or Sonoma County when they feel stuck in repeating emotional cycles that feel impossible to break through traditional counseling alone. At Kodo Couples Therapy, EMDR is integrated specifically for couples experiencing trauma-related disconnection, helping partners rebuild trust and emotional safety.

This approach is especially effective for those seeking couples therapy in Marin County for trauma-related issues, including attachment wounds, infidelity recovery, or long-term emotional distancing. By working with both partners in a structured EMDR process, couples can move from reactive survival patterns into a more stable and connected relationship dynamic.

What a Typical 90-Minute EMDR Couple Session Looks Like

Check-In & Consent: Assess current window of tolerance; confirm both partners feel ready.
Co-Regulation Warm-Up: Eye-to-eye breathing or gentle mirroring to prime attachment system.
Target Processing: One partner processes while the other offers regulated presence. Roles can switch mid-session.
Integration & Meaning-Making: Translate insights into new “couple agreements” (e.g., choose repair over withdrawal).

Is EMDR Right for Your Relationship?

Consider EMDR if you and your partner:

Keep looping the same arguments triggered by past events.
Struggle with physical or emotional closeness after betrayal, assault, or medical trauma.
Experience over-reactions (outbursts, shutdown) that feel “bigger than the moment.”
Have tried standard couples counseling but hit a wall around trauma history.

Results You Can Expect

Reduced Hyperarousal: Fewer trauma triggers, quicker return to calm (Relational Psych).
Deeper Empathy: Seeing your partner’s reactions through a trauma-informed lens dissolves blame.
Restored Intimacy: When avoidance drops, affectionate touch and sexuality often re-emerge.
Shared Growth Narrative: Couples report a powerful “we survived together” story that strengthens commitment.
If you are searching for marriage counseling for trauma or PTSD-related relationship issues, EMDR can be a powerful option when standard couples therapy feels stuck. Many couples report that once trauma responses are processed, communication naturally improves and emotional reactivity decreases.
Kodo Couples Therapy offers EMDR-informed couples work for partners who want to move beyond repeated conflict cycles and rebuild emotional connection. If you’ve been looking for trauma-focused couples therapy in Marin County, this approach may be the next step toward restoring trust and intimacy.

Ready to Heal Together?

Reprocessing trauma side-by-side can transform your relationship from a trigger zone into a secure base. Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation and see our fees and policies page to explore whether EMDR Couples Therapy is your next step.

Hope is here. Let’s get your hearts beating in sync again.

Sheena Simpson