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Couples Counseling

in Boulder & Online throughout Colorado

PACT | Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy

Helping couples who feel stuck in past patterns build a relationship of trust, connection, and lasting intimacy.

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Does this sound familiar?

You’ve reached a tipping point in your relationship.

It feels like you’re stuck in patterns that neither of you wants to be in. The circular arguments, over and over again, leaving you at a loss. Not knowing how to break the rhythm that builds resentment and distrust.

You are triggered by the same things, reacting in ways you later regret. 

Every time you disagree, the conversation cascades into old hurts and grievances.

Or the constant power struggles and I told you so’s. 

Or the way you avoid talking about the things that really matter.

You feel a wall between you.

And when you do interact, you’re coming from a defensive place you cannot control.

You both have running agendas that try to satisfy unmet needs. If you could hear each other’s thoughts, it would sound like:

Do you even see me? 

I feel rejected.

Am I too much for you?

Am I not enough?

We’re supposed to be in this together…

Why do I feel so alone? 

Finding satisfaction is the goal. Creating changes is the work. 

You both know that something needs to change. 

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You want more. More of each other, more of yourselves. 

You want to break old cycles and create new openings for better communication.

You want deeper connections, physically and emotionally, that will make you feel fully seen and part of a team. 

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You’ve come to the right place.

“Lissa's colossal heart and unending curiosity create a beautiful space for self-exploration, growth, and healing. I'm fortunate to have worked with Lissa as a co-therapist in sessions, and she has my complete trust and endorsement as a provider.”

Sarah Jane Coffey, MA, LPCC

I’m Lissa, a trauma-informed couples therapist, and I’m here to help you…

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  • communicate openly and honestly, without hidden agendas or second meanings

  • see each other as whole, loving humans who care about each other, not as threats

  • learn how to repair after a rupture, instead of staying stuck and protected

  • build a relationship of trust, respect, and lasting intimacy

  • have the ability to look to the other as a source of trusted support 

  • tend to the relationship, not just the person

My approach is designed for lasting change – not to keep you in therapy forever.

I know you’re ready to put in the work, and I’m here to help you experience change. I will teach you tools to use in creating sustainable relationships you both desire. 

Using PACT (Psychological Approach to Couples Therapy), we’ll explore who you are as individuals in a healthy relationship.

By virtue of learning each other’s histories, you’ll see that not everything is “personal” in the way it seems. You’re with another human being who has a whole lifetime before you, like you do.

This perspective shift will open the doors to the work you’re here to do.

I’ll coach you through each phase, helping you see your patterns clearly and create new ones that bring you closer together.

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Spoiler alert: Not everything comes from childhood, but a lot does.

Our earliest experiences shape how we connect and interact with others. That’s why you might feel 10 years old again, mid-argument about who does more chores around the house, and have no idea why. 

Working with me, you’ll build self-awareness as individuals and as a couple. The kind of self-awareness that makes change long lasting, not just endless analysis of problems.

You’ll recognize that there’s actually 4 people in the room, because your inner child needs attention too. 

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Rather than shying away from real feelings and hard conversations, you’ll learn to tend to the parts of you that get triggered…

…and come out the other side feeling more connected to yourself and your partner. 

In our sessions, you’ll come to see each other more dimensionally and more fully. You’ll have the ability to give and receive love. Because there will be more to love.

Clients appreciate that I see and value both partners equally. They sense that I really believe in them. 

I hold no agenda for you, allowing our sessions to be experimental and attuned to your needs. 

With the right support, your relationship can be an incredible catalyst for healing, joy, and life authentically.

Let’s get started.

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Go from feeling stuck in past patterns to creating depth, trust, connection, and intimacy. Together.

Frequently Asked Questions about Couples & Relationship Counseling

  • PACT, or Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy, developed by Stan Tatkin, integrates neuroscience, attachment theory, and the biology of human arousal to understand relationship dynamics. It explores how each partner’s past experiences and nervous system influence their interactions and contribute to conflict and resolution.

    Trained in the PACT approach, I provide insights from a biological, psychological, and psychosocial lens, which means I help couples develop practices that allow for safety, trust, and deeper belonging in the relationship. The PACT approach is designed to teach couples to take their relationship into their own hands, working faster than other approaches.

  • I work with couples who feel held back by past patterns and want to develop a relationship of deeper communication, trust, connection, and intimacy. I welcome couples of all backgrounds and identities.

  • Sessions are 90-minutes long. Weekly sessions are recommended to ensure consistent progress. 

  • Most couples spend 3-6 months in weekly therapy. Some benefit from longer-term support. 

    Our work is goal-oriented, meaning I’m not here to keep you in couples therapy forever. PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy) is designed for short-term work, due to its focused nature and longer sessions.

  • I offer in-person sessions in my Boulder office, and online sessions throughout Colorado. Hybrid options are available as well.

  • Yes. For couples who want to make faster progress, I offer intensive sessions of 2-3 hours. These longer sessions allow for deeper work and typically lead to quicker results.

  • Yes. Ending a relationship is a significant life transition, and I offer support for couples who wish to navigate this process consciously and respectfully. 

  • Contact me to book a free consultation. We’ll connect and confirm if we’re a great fit to work together.

In-Person Couples & Relationship Counseling in Boulder, Colorado

 

We’ll meet in my bird’s-nest office in Boulder. Session are also available online across Colorado.

A relationship of deeper communication, trust, connection, and intimacy is possible.