Couples Therapy
in California

When your nervous systems are better regulated, you can work through literally anything

SCHEDULE FREE CONSULTATION

Trusted by Clients from:

To create our couples therapy, we trained personally with:

Bessel Van Der Kolk,
Author of The Body Keeps the Score
Peter Levine,
Founder of Somatic Experiencing
Dick Schwartz,
Founder of Internal Family Systems
Laurel Parnell,
Founder of AF-EMDR

We’ve helped couples who were experiencing:

breakdown of communication
frequent & unresolving conflicts
damaged trust or infidelity
emotional disconnection
lack of physical intimacy
external stressors impacting the relationship

The other person is not the problem.

The combination of nervous system dysregulation is the problem.

Meet With Us

Together we rebuild
safety in your relationship

Your relationship is a living system. When there is not enough support, it can be overwhelmed by hurtful communication patterns, unmet needs, escalating conflicts and defensiveness. Your relationship quickly loses its sense of safety and trust.

Without safety, even small disagreements escalate. Emotional intimacy fades. Defenses go up.

The good news is when your nervous systems are better regulated, you can work through literally anything.

And once repaired, your relationship knits back stronger than it was before.

In sessions you can expect:

We start by focusing on stabilizing the relationship at the nervous system level and building a safe container for our therapy sessions together.
We find common alignments and goals and we slow everything down through embodiment exercises to build an environment where each partner can feel seen, heard, and emotionally understood–not just reacted to.
When needed, we use a strong hand to pause & redirect to make sure that we don’t go off the rails or get too heated. Over time this builds a sense of safety and containment in the room.
Together, we build a clear, compassionate map of how your protective parts operate in moments of conflict, and how they can escalate into negative interaction cycles blocking what you both desire.
You'll see that the problem is a pattern and that patterns change when we slow down to work at a nervous system level.
We’ll apply tools from attachment theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) & Gottman Method to:
- Identify critical moments where our protectors take over
- Learn to apply nervous system circuit-breakers
- Use I-statements and reflective listening
- Learn to own our side of negative patterns which helps our partner to own theirs
- Learn how to disrupt negative interactions & support positive interactions to build the “magic” 5:1 ratio that thriving couples maintain
True relational healing happens at a body, or nervous system-level.
In each session, we’ll practice somatic tools that teach your nervous systems to self-regulate and co-regulate in order to create safe conditions for connection.
Exercises include:
- Personal nervous system awareness training
- Partner nervous system tracking & reflection
- Down-regulating activation–through breath, sound, touch & movement
- Intimacy building–through synchronized breathing, eye contact & guided touch
You can apply these same techniques as a circuit-breaker whenever conflict arises on your own.
Read here for more detailed information on how Somatic Therapy works on the nervous system.

These practices retrain your collective nervous system toward safety, attunement, trust and collaboration.

Evidence shows that these approaches are effective both in-person & online.

Let's Talk

Couples therapy that yields results:

Our couples therapy is designed to create a safe space to uncover the deeper issues driving conflict, and to help you reconnect with each other in a more authentic way.

Together, we’ll explore:

What’s really under the conflict

Arguments aren’t really about who’s supposed to take out the trash. Anger is often a mask for more vulnerable emotions like fear, hurt, or disappointment. We’ll slow things down to uncover the real feelings underneath, and find healthier ways to respond to each other.

How the past is shaping the present

Old wounds don’t disappear on their own. We'll gently trace how past experiences are influencing today’s reactions and dynamics. With awareness and care, you can break negative cycles and create a new story for your relationship.

How to communicate for connection, not conflict

Learning how to truly listen, express needs without blame, and navigate differences calmly can transform the way you relate to each other. We’ll build communication skills that foster understanding, safety, and emotional intimacy.

More information on our approach to couples therapy can be found here.

Meet the Beyond team

Flavia MacMenamin, AMFT

PSYCHOTHERAPIST ASSOCIATE

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Rosalie Maduro, AMFT, APCC

PSYCHOTHERAPIST ASSOCIATE

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Sarah Bibbo, ASW

PSYCHOTHERAPIST ASSOCIATE

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Angie Bradshaw, LMFT

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

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Steven Bradshaw, LMFT, SEP

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

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Hear from our clients

Christina, Data Analyst, San Francisco

“From our first session I felt that we uncovered the root of my issues and that I was in good hands. Over the next year, I transformed completely. I went from having chronic pain that prevented me from continuing my career, to now entering that career path again. Look no further!”
Kuljit, Leadership Coach, DC

“I’ll be bold and say the modalities don’t matteras much as my coach’s presence. His calm and connected way of being facilitated my awareness and processing. It amplified my sense of safety and served as a mirror to reflect what was emerging within me.”
Declan, Software Engineer, London

“I've made actual progress rather than being stuck. Sor far, it’s the only therapist or coach I've had who's been able to talk about literature and art and all of the beautiful things that make up this world in a way that feels genuine. Our work has been very iterative and incremental. I got something in every session.”
Devon, Jewelry Designer, San Francisco

“My therapist is very open and very kind. He's really perceptive and good at listening and honoring where a person is at or what they're feeling and what they might need in that moment. He makes people feel comfortable and safe and fosters a space that felt open and comfortable.”
Faisal, Incoming MD Candidate, DC

“My therapist was instrumental to my growth and coming of age in college, and he has continued to follow-up with me ever since. This is not a business for him. This is his life's calling, and you can feel it. Our sessions have been transformative and lasting.“
David, Somatic Therapist, Kent

“My coach is a highly attuned listener, and processor. The way he holds 'space' is a splendid mix of wisdom, learning, guiding (to the outer edges of the comfort zone, and a little beyond) and support. He helps to shift my awareness and perspective in the most profound way. “
James, Creative Director, Grand Rapids

“I'm better equipped to handle circumstances and better see how things work. Techniques are sticking. If you look at my brain before we started the work and now, I think there are some new neural pathways, and others that are less entrenched. Our relationship has made a big difference in my life.“
Joshua Horsley, Podcaster, Reno

“Beyond has made a huge impact in my life. I instantly connected with my coach and I look forward to our weekly sessions. Now, when I’m stuck or ruminating I often think “what would my coach say to me?” and it really helps me tackle problems on my own. Highly, highly, recommend Beyond!”
Kim, London

“I find my coach to be a really calming and non-judgmental presence. He is very present for you when you're in a session, which I think is really important. I found it really useful and enriching to have more frameworks with which to understand myself and other people.”
Kirby, Meditation Teacher, Vancouver

“Beyond is doing such significant and special work in the world that it is difficult to tame into words. My coach has the rare ability to walk with you down the darker trails of your psyche with warmth. He holds safe and generous space. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Kris, Documentary Filmmaker, LA

“I’m a huge fan of Steven and the team at Beyond Psychology! I had a super illuminating and impactful experience. It helped unlock some personal insights and healing that had otherwise been hard to access. I would definitely recommend working with them, and personally hope to do so again in the future!”
Kyle, Actor, Bay Area

“My therapist at Beyond is amazing, it’s been really easy for me to talk out my thoughts and have assistance whenever I’ve been in a rough patch or whenever I’ve just been unsure of what to do or what steps to take with a situation. He is also very fun to talk to and very funny!”
Lisa, Psychologist and Researcher, Gothenburg

“My coach at Beyond is genuinely sincere and perceptive, and his deep passion for healing work is palpable. From our very first encounter, I sensed his non-judgmental nature. I wholeheartedly recommend working with him, as it has been an immensely positive experience.”
Osiris, Yoga Therapist, LA

“I feel like I've made real progress in my healing journey. I'm so grateful to have found someone like my Beyond coach. I highly recommend Beyond to anyone who is struggling with stress, anxiety, or other nervous system issues. Thank you for all that you do!”
Paula, Ocean Scientist, Honolulu

“My Beyond coach is deeply knowledgeable and passionate. His holistic and creative approach resonated with me and not only opened new ways of understanding, seeing and experiencing myself but also sparked my own creativity. I could relax into myself and feel connection with others without feeling judged.“
Raquel, Personal Assistant, LA

“I had such a sense of holding, safety and support that let me feel comfortable, seen and held.. My words for him are: safe, connecting, caring, and understanding. I feel grateful now and that I'm still growing and discovering different parts of me. I now have some real tools in case I hit potholes out in the world.”
Tom, Senior Product Manager, London

“My coach is really friendly and creates an open environment where it’s really easy to talk. I'm super grateful for all the work that I’ve done with him and can’t rate him highly enough. I definitely could not be where I am now without him. Thank you!”