Online Marriage Counseling & Couples Counseling in Washington

Safe. Affirming. Fully Online.

Who Is Couples Counseling For?

I offer online couples therapy in Washington for people in all kinds of relationships—dating, married, engaged, separated, or somewhere in between. I work with all couples, including LGBTQIA+ and non-traditional partnerships like polyamory, and provide a space where you’ll feel safe, seen, and supported.

If something feels off in your relationship or you're facing a challenge you can’t seem to get through on your own, online therapy for couples can help. You don’t need to be on the verge of breaking up to benefit—sometimes just having a neutral space to talk things through can make all the difference.

  • Emotional Disconnect - You may feel stuck in the same arguments, emotionally distant, or unsure how to express your needs. One of you might shut down during conflict, and something just feels off in the relationship.

  • Broken Trust or Intimacy Issues - Trust may have been broken, intimacy is lacking, or passion has faded. You might feel disconnected physically or emotionally and unsure how to reconnect.

  • Big Life Stressors or Transitions - Changes like separation, parenting, or preparing for marriage can create tension. Some couples come after going through something painful or life-changing together.

  • Individual Struggles Impacting the Relationship - Anxiety, trauma, addiction, or identity-related stress can affect how you relate to each other and create challenges in feeling understood or supported.

How Does Couples Therapy Help?

As a couples therapist, my goal is to help you and your partner feel heard, understood, and supported—without judgment or blame. In our online sessions, we’ll work together to uncover what’s beneath the surface of your challenges and find real ways to reconnect.

You don’t have to wait for a breaking point to start. Whether you’ve been feeling disconnected, stuck in conflict, or just unsure of where things stand, working with a couples and marriage therapist can bring clarity, healing, and a fresh perspective.

What We Work On

  • Exploring each of your needs so you both feel seen and supported

  • Discovering your shared strengths and challenges as a couple

  • Identifying toxic patterns that are keeping you stuck or distant

  • Recognizing new perspectives that change how you relate to each other

  • Resolving ongoing conflict in ways that build trust, not more distance

  • Learning how to turn toward each other during stress or emotional disconnection

  • Building mutual respect and understanding that deepens your bond

  • Discussing sensitive topics, like finances or family planning, more effectively

What You Can Expect to Gain

  • Better Communication - We’ll break the cycle of misunderstandings and help you express yourselves in ways that create connection instead of conflict.

  • Conflict Resolution Skills - Rather than repeating the same fights, you’ll learn how to navigate disagreements in a healthier, more productive way.

  • Deeper Emotional Connection - Feel closer, more understood, and emotionally safe with each other again—rebuilding intimacy and trust.

  • A Stronger, More Secure Relationship - You’ll gain tools to build a relationship that feels stable, fulfilling, and resilient.

Therapeutic Approaches

Every couple is different—and so are the challenges you face together. As a trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming therapist, I draw from several evidence-based approaches to meet you where you are and support your unique relationship dynamics. Whether you're working through past hurt, communication struggles, or emotional disconnection, these methods are tailored to help you rebuild trust, connection, and understanding. Through virtual couples therapy, we’ll work together using the approaches that best fit your needs, goals, and communication style.

  • CBT helps couples identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to conflict and disconnection. In sessions, you’ll learn to challenge negative assumptions about your partner, manage emotional reactions more effectively, and practice healthier communication. It’s especially useful for addressing cycles of blame, anxiety, or defensiveness.

  • CPT is typically used when one or both partners have experienced trauma (such as PTSD) that’s affecting the relationship. It helps individuals process traumatic events and reduce their emotional impact.

    In a couples setting, this can improve empathy, reduce triggers during conflict, and foster healing where trauma has created emotional distance or misunderstanding.

  • DBT focuses on emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. For couples, it’s helpful when emotions escalate quickly or one or both partners struggle with intense emotional responses.

    DBT teaches skills like staying calm in conflict, setting boundaries, and validating each other’s experiences, which can reduce volatility and improve connection.

  • EFT is centered on understanding the emotional needs that drive conflict. It helps couples recognize and shift negative interaction cycles by creating safety and emotional closeness.

    Through EFT, partners learn to express vulnerability, respond with empathy, and build a secure emotional bond. It’s especially powerful for rebuilding trust and deepening intimacy.

  • IFS views each person as having different “parts” within them—like the part that wants to avoid conflict, the part that feels abandoned, or the part that lashes out when hurt.

    In couples therapy, I use IFS to help each partner understand and communicate from their calm, core “Self” rather than from reactive parts. This leads to greater empathy, less blame, and deeper connection as both partners learn to recognize and soothe the wounded parts in themselves and each other.

  • Schema Therapy helps uncover deep-rooted beliefs (schemas) formed in childhood that may be affecting how you relate to your partner.

    For example, one partner may fear abandonment while the other feels smothered by emotional closeness. In couples therapy, identifying these patterns can lead to greater compassion and fewer misunderstandings.

  • This approach focuses on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where both partners feel heard and valued.

    As the therapist, I act as a supportive guide rather than an authority, helping you explore your own feelings and experiences. This approach builds trust and encourages authentic communication, especially when couples feel emotionally shut down or unheard.

  • Rooted in attachment theory, this approach focuses on how your early bonding experiences shape the way you connect (or disconnect) in adult relationships.

    In couples therapy, attachment work helps you understand your and your partner’s attachment styles (like avoidant, anxious, or secure), so you can respond to each other’s needs with more compassion and clarity. The goal is to build a stronger emotional bond and create a secure, lasting connection.

  • “Mauvia has such a warm, grounded presence that instantly puts people at ease. She brings a thoughtful, down-to-earth approach to her clinical work and genuinely cares about the people she serves. You can tell she’s in this work for all the right reasons—her clients are lucky to have her in their corner.”

    Anonymous

  • “Mauvia listens and genuinely cares. She is warm and approachable. She is also better than others I’ve been to, in that she gives you applicable tools and methods to feel more positive and control in your situation. She is wonderful and I would recommend her to anyone.”

    Anonymous

  • “I have known Mauvia for 10 years. She has a calm demeanor, is a good listener, compassionate and at the same time professional in her approach. She was very helpful assisting family members and knowledgeable in suggesting other resources. I would highly recommend her counseling services.”

    Anonymous

  • “Mauvia is an amazing provider. She is kind, easy to talk to and genuinely cares. She has been able to listen and help me navigate through challenges in the most professional and helpful way. Would recommend 100%!”

    Anonymous

  • “Mauvia Sorensen is kind, professional, and truly listens. She has helped me through more than a few challenges. Highly recommend her for anyone looking for compassionate mental health care!”

    Anonymous

  • “Mauvia is a compassionate and knowledgeable provider who brings warmth and professionalism with every patient. Her dedication to evidence-based care and her calming presence make her a trusted and impactful provider in the mental health space.”

    Anonymous

  • “I’ve been working with Mauvia for nearly eight years and she has helped me in more ways than I can count or list in a review. Through my battles with diverticulitis, then my fight with cancer, and all things in between— Mauvia has been a consistent support in navigating life and guided me in building new supportive cognitive behaviors. There’s no other person I would want to have on my team as I continue to work through all the struggles life has thrown at me.”

    Anonymous

  • “Mauvia is an amazing provider who really shows what compassionate care should be all about! She takes the time to listen and truly understands your concerns, making you feel comfortable and supported during your healing journey.”

    Anonymous

  • “Mauvia, is an exceptional provider who truly exemplifies what compassionate care should look like. Mauvia genuinely listens, takes the time to understand concerns, and creates a safe and supportive environment for healing. Her approach is thoughtful, patient-centered, and filled with empathy. She is deeply committed to the well-being of her patients. Highly recommend!”

    Anonymous

How It Works

Booking your first therapy appointment is simple — just follow these three easy steps.

1.

Schedule a Therapy Appointment

2.

Develop a Customized Therapy Plan

3.

Begin Your Journey to Wellness

Ready to start your healing journey? Take the first step towards a better relationship with compassionate, personalized care tailored to your unique needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • It depends on your goals and the specific challenges you’re facing as a couple. Some couples find clarity and relief in just a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support over time. We’ll tailor the process to your needs.

  • Yes. While most sessions are held together, there may be times when individual check-ins are helpful to support the work you're doing as a couple.

  • That’s okay. If one partner isn’t ready to participate, we can begin with individual therapy to help you process your experience and explore next steps.

  • Cost depends on your insurance coverage. If you're paying privately, the rate is the same as individual therapy. I’m happy to talk through payment options with you. Click here to learn more about insurance coverage and payment options.

  • Yes, in many cases it is. Coverage can vary depending on your provider and plan, so it’s best to check directly with your insurance company. Click here to view accepted insurance plans.

  • Premarital counseling helps couples prepare for marriage by exploring important topics like communication, finances, values, family planning, and conflict resolution. It’s a great way to start your marriage with clarity and connection.

  • While results vary, most couples who commit to therapy report improved communication, stronger emotional connection, and greater relationship satisfaction—whether they stay together or decide to part on healthier terms.