Every relationship goes through difficult seasons. Whether you're facing recurring arguments, feeling disconnected from your partner, struggling with trust after betrayal, or simply feeling like roommates rather than romantic partners, couples therapy can help you rediscover the connection that brought you together.

At Hasbrook Therapy, we specialize in two of the most effective, research-backed approaches to couples counseling: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method. Both approaches recognize that beneath relationship conflict lies a deep need for connection, safety, and understanding.

Why Couples Seek Our Help

The couples we work with come to therapy for many reasons. Some are dealing with specific challenges like infidelity recovery, communication breakdowns, or disagreements about parenting. Others feel a general sense of disconnection—the spark has faded, conversations feel superficial, or you're more like co-managers of a household than intimate partners.

You might be constantly arguing about the same issues without resolution, feeling unheard or misunderstood, struggling with intimacy (emotional or physical), or questioning whether your relationship can survive. Perhaps one partner is ready to leave while the other desperately wants to repair things. Wherever you are, we meet you there with compassion and proven strategies for healing.

Our Approach: EFT & Gottman Method

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps couples understand the emotional dynamics underneath their conflicts. We recognize that most arguments aren't really about dishes, money, or whose turn it is to pick up the kids—they're about feeling valued, secure, and prioritized by your partner. EFT helps you identify negative interaction patterns, access the deeper emotions and needs driving those patterns, and create new ways of connecting that build security and closeness.

The Gottman Method provides practical, research-based tools for strengthening friendship, managing conflict, and creating shared meaning in your relationship. Developed from decades of research on what makes relationships succeed or fail, this approach helps you build a "Sound Relationship House" with strong foundations of trust, commitment, and affection. You'll learn specific communication skills, conflict resolution strategies, and ways to turn toward each other instead of away.

What Makes Our Couples Therapy Different

We don't take sides or assign blame. Both partners contribute to relationship patterns, and both partners have valid needs and perspectives. Our role is to help you understand each other more deeply, break destructive cycles, and rebuild trust and intimacy.

We're also realistic. We know that change takes time and effort. We'll celebrate small victories while working toward larger goals. Some couples come to therapy and experience dramatic shifts in just a few sessions. Others need more time to heal old wounds and establish new patterns. We tailor our approach to your unique situation and goals.

Who We Work With

We work with couples at all stages—dating, engaged, newly married, or together for decades. We welcome all relationship configurations and orientations. Whether you're in crisis or simply want to strengthen an already good relationship, couples therapy can help.

Located in Mission Viejo and San Juan Capistrano, we serve couples throughout Orange County.