Couples counseling
A space to hear each other again.
Every relationship develops patterns — ways of talking past each other, going quiet, or bracing for the same argument on repeat. Couples counseling is a steady, judgment-free space where both partners get to be fully heard, and where you work on the pattern itself instead of just surviving it.
Who it’s for
Couples counseling at Kindred Pathways is for partners who are physically located in New York at the time of each session — whether you’re in crisis, drifting apart, or simply want to strengthen a good relationship before problems grow. You don’t need to arrive with a diagnosis for what’s wrong; you just need a willingness to show up together.
- Communication that keeps breaking down
- Recurring arguments that never resolve
- Rebuilding trust after a rupture
- Feeling distant, lonely, or like roommates
- Navigating major life changes together
- Deciding what you want the relationship to be
How the process works
Reaching out as a couple can feel vulnerable — especially if one partner is more hesitant than the other. Here’s what the process looks like, step by step.
- 1
Reach out
Most couples start with one partner sending a short note through my consultation form, or booking a time directly online. A sentence or two is plenty — you don't need to explain the whole story in a form.
- 2
A brief consultation
I begin with a short conversation about what's bringing you in, what each of you hopes could be different, and the practical side — scheduling, insurance, and how sessions work. You'll leave with a clear sense of whether this feels like the right fit.
- 3
Your first session together
The first full session is about understanding the relationship as it is now — its history, its strengths, and the pattern you keep getting caught in. Both partners get real airtime, and nothing gets treated as one person's fault. By the end, I'll help you name what you're working on together.
- 4
Ongoing couples sessions
Sessions are 60 minutes and meet weekly or every other week, depending on what you need. In session, I help you slow down the moments where you get stuck, practice new ways of listening and responding in real time, and translate that into small, doable things to try between sessions.
- 5
Reviewing progress and next steps
Periodically, I step back with you and look at how things have shifted. Some couples wrap up once the pattern has changed; others shift to less frequent check-in sessions to keep things on track. Either way, the ending is planned together, not abrupt.
What sessions focus on
Rather than refereeing individual disputes, I work with you on the underlying pattern — the cycle both of you get pulled into. Depending on what you need, that can include:
Understanding the cycle
Mapping what happens between you when things go wrong — who pursues, who withdraws, and what each of you is really protecting in those moments.
Communication that lands
Practicing how to raise hard things without attack or retreat, and how to hear your partner's side without immediately defending.
Repair and trust
Working through ruptures and hurt deliberately — acknowledging what happened, rebuilding safety, and deciding what moving forward looks like.
Connection and shared life
Rebuilding everyday closeness — affection, appreciation, and making decisions together about the life you're building.
The practical side
- Couples sessions are 60 minutes, virtual (telehealth), and available only when both partners are physically located in New York.
- The self-pay rate is $200 per 60-minute couples session; many insurance plans are also accepted, and Headway helps check your benefits before the first visit — coverage isn’t guaranteed until that’s done.
- Sessions are led by Richard E. Zekaria, LMHC — a licensed therapist in New York.
Sometimes one partner wants to start on their own first. Read about individual counseling.