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?

It's not uncommon for one partner to feel hesitant about attending couples therapy. Try to have an open conversation about their concerns, and emphasize that therapy isn't about assigning blame but about improving communication, connection, and understanding. If your partner still chooses not to attend, Kodo offers Couples Therapy for One, a service designed specifically for individuals who want to address relationship challenges on their own.

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 super bills 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 therapy in Marin County?

At Kodo Couples Therapy, sessions are $225 for 50 minutes or $330 for 80 minutes. 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.

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Healing from Betrayal: What Marin County Couples Actually Need

When betrayal hits a relationship, the ground beneath you shifts. The person who once felt safe now feels uncertain. Trust is replaced by vigilance, tenderness by distance.

Betrayal isn’t only about broken promises. It’s a trauma. The betrayed partner often experiences flashbacks, anxiety, or emotional withdrawal. The betraying partner may feel shame, confusion, and isolation. Both lose their sense of safety in the relationship. Ignoring that impact can harden pain into resentment. Facing it with structure and honesty creates the conditions for repair.

The goal in early sessions isn’t forgiveness. It’s clarity. The partner who caused harm must share the truth without minimizing. The partner who was hurt must have space to express the full range of feelings without being managed or silenced.

Healing from betrayal isn’t about returning to “normal.” It’s about creating a new foundation rooted in honesty, accountability, and emotional courage.

Summer Survival Guide for Marin County Parents: How to Protect Your Relationship While Raising Kids

When the school year ends, many couples feel the strain of 24/7 parenting. At Kodo Couples Therapy in Marin County, we see it every year: summer stress leads to resentment, emotional distance, and more relationship conflict.

If you’ve been wondering: ‘How do we stay connected during summer break with kids?’ You’re not alone and there’s hope.

Here are 5 therapist-backed strategies to help you protect your relationship and feel more like partners again.

EMDR for Couples: Trauma Healing in Novato & Sonoma

EMDR for Couples helps partners process painful memories together, turn insight into practical skills, and become each other’s source of calm. By weaving individual healing into real-time interaction, the method can reduce PTSD symptoms while boosting relationship satisfaction, easing depression, and lowering anxiety.