Croton, NY: 
Marriage Counseling in New York – Rebuild Connection, Restore Trust
Key Takeaways
Rebuilding a marriage starts with the right support — and it's never too early to reach out
Marriage can be one of life's most meaningful relationships and one of its most challenging. At Relationships & More, Angela Penichet, MS, LCSW — a Gottman Method Certified Therapist — has helped New York couples work through conflict, distance, and disconnection for over 20 years, both in person and online across the state.
- You don't need to be in crisis. Recurring arguments, fading intimacy, or feeling more like roommates than partners are all reasons couples benefit from counseling.
- A science-based, personalized approach. Sessions draw on the Gottman Method, EFT, and CBT — tailored to each couple's dynamics rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.
- In person or online. Meet at the Croton-on-Hudson or Rye office, or online via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform anywhere in New York State.
- Start with a free consultation. A no-pressure, 15-minute call helps you decide whether counseling — and working with Angela — is the right fit.
Marriage is one of the most meaningful relationships a person can have, and it can equally be one of the most challenging. From recurring arguments that don’t get resolved to fading intimacy and stressful life transitions causing conflict in the home, there are plenty of reasons you may be struggling in your marriage.
Here at Relationships & More, we have been helping couples based in New York to work through conflict, distance, and disconnection for over 20 years. Guided by Angela Penichet, MS, LCSW, a Gottman Method Certified Therapist, sessions are available in person at our offices in Croton-on-Hudson and Rye, NY, and online for those located in NY state who are unable to travel reliably.
Signs Your Marriage May Benefit From Counseling
There are a range of signs that might suggest you and your partner might benefit from marriage counseling. These are all common issues that affect many couples — they don’t indicate that the relationship is a failure. They may just show that counseling can help get your relationship back on track. You don’t need to be on the verge of divorce to benefit from help, but if there are strains in your relationships, it may be a good idea to reach out to a certified counselor.
Some of the signs your marriage may benefit from counseling include:
- Recurring arguments that never get fully resolved.
- Feeling more like roommates than partners.
- If your emotional and/or physical intimacy has faded.
- If one or both partners are feeling unheard or dismissed.
- If trust has been breached, such as through dishonesty or infidelity.
- Large or common disagreements over major topics, such as parenting, finances, or family roles.
- Stressful life transitions, such as job loss or a new baby.
- If you are considering separation or divorce but are not sure what to do next.
As you can see, some of these are much more severe than others. Many couples who come to counseling are not in crisis; their marriage is not on the verge of collapse, but they are not completely satisfied in their relationship either. Those who seek help do so usually because they simply want to do better together.
Does Marriage Counseling Work?
Marriage counseling can be highly effective, particularly when both partners are willing to engage in sessions and work on implementing changes in their relationship. That said, outcomes will vary, and the success of marriage counseling depends on factors such as timing, commitment, and finding the right therapist to work with.
At Relationships & More, Angela Penichet’s specific training and approach give couples the strong foundation they need to make progress in healing their relationship.
Our Approach to Marriage Counseling in New York
Angela Penichet’s therapeutic approach is science-based, structured, and deeply personalized. Instead of a one-size-fits-all plan, the marriage counseling offered here at Relationships & More utilizes the Gottman Method, a method developed through over 40 years of research on what makes relationships succeed or fail.
Angela’s approach also draws from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and attachment-based approaches. This means that each couple we work with has a plan specifically tailored to their relationship dynamics and goals.
Our Approach
The Therapy Methods Behind Our Marriage Counseling
Rather than a one-size-fits-all plan, Angela blends three evidence-based approaches, tailored to each couple's dynamics and goals.
| Method | What It Is | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gottman MethodAngela is certified | A research-backed approach built on 40+ years of studying what makes relationships succeed or fail. | Building friendship & trust Identifying conflict patterns and creating shared meaning as a couple. |
| Emotionally Focused TherapyEFT | A structured, evidence-based method for reshaping the emotional patterns that keep couples stuck in conflict or withdrawal. | Attachment injuries Healing after moments of perceived abandonment or betrayal that still affect the relationship. |
| Cognitive Behavioral TherapyCBT for couples | Identifies the thought patterns and behaviors that fuel misunderstanding or resentment, then replaces them with healthier habits. | Communication skills Learning when to step away from conflict, express emotions clearly, and set boundaries. |
Why it matters: Angela is a Gottman Method Certified Therapist — a credential requiring formal training and supervised practice that not every couples' therapist holds.
The Gottman Method
The Gottman Method is a research-backed approach that helps couples identify patterns of conflict, build friendship and trust, and create shared meaning.
Our founder and lead therapist, Angela Penichet, is a certified Gottman Method therapist, a specific credential that requires formal training and supervised practice. Not every couple’s therapist holds this kind of credential, and this can be an important foundation for those truly seeking to make improvements to their relationship.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a structured, evidence-based approach to healing, focused on identifying and reshaping the emotional patterns that keep couples stuck in cycles of conflict or withdrawal. This approach is particularly helpful for couples dealing with attachment injuries, such as moments of perceived abandonment or betrayal that have a continued effect on the relationship.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Couples
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is applied in couples therapy by identifying thought patterns and behaviors that fuel misunderstanding or resentment, and replacing these with healthier communication habits.
This is typically carried out by assessing both partners to see how they think and act both individually and within the relationship. Your therapist will then be able to give you tasks to work on these by helping you implement new behaviors within the relationship. These behaviors can include how you communicate your emotions, recognizing when to step away from conflict to calm down, and setting boundaries.
What to Expect in Marriage Counseling
We understand that starting marriage counseling can be intimidating, and there are a lot of unknowns that can make it difficult for more reserved partners to feel comfortable committing to seeing a counselor. From what your first session might look like, to how your sessions are structured, there are plenty of things you may want to understand better before you feel confident choosing to work with a marriage counselor.
What to Expect
Your Marriage Counseling Journey, Step by Step
Starting counseling can feel intimidating. Here's what the process actually looks like when you work with Angela.
Getting Started
Your First Session
A low-pressure intake meeting, not deep therapy. Angela asks about each partner's background, your history, and what you hope to achieve. You'll leave with a clearer sense of how she works.
The Work
How Sessions Are Structured
Sessions run 50–60 minutes, weekly or biweekly. Angela balances structured Gottman-based exercises with open conversation, adapting each week to where you are as a couple.
Progress
How Long It Takes
There's no set timeline. Some couples find relief in three to four months; others continue longer-term. Angela checks in on progress and adjusts the approach along the way.
The goal: never to keep couples in therapy longer than they need. Angela's aim is to give you the tools to sustain your relationship on your own — so you leave happier and healthier, together.
Your First Session
Your first session here at Relationships & More is more of a low-pressure intake meeting, rather than an in-depth therapy session. During your time with Angela, she will likely ask about each partner’s background, the history of your relationship, what has brought you in, and what you’re hoping to achieve.
At this point, neither of you is expected to have everything figured out, and many couples come in feeling uncertain or nervous. It’s normal for some people to be unsure or skeptical about whether marriage counseling is for them or not.
By the end of your first session, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of how Angela works and what a treatment plan may look like for you.
How Sessions Are Structured
Typically, marriage counseling sessions at Relationships & More last for around 50-60 minutes each. Depending on the couple’s goals, schedules, and availability, these are held weekly or biweekly. Angela balances structured exercises (particularly in her Gottman-based work) with open conversation, adapting how sessions are formatted to where the couple is at each week.
How Long Does Marriage Counseling Take?
There is no set timeline for how long marriage counseling takes. Some couples find significant relief from their problems in three to four months of consistent work. Others choose to work with a counselor long-term in order to support their relationship better.
No matter how long it takes you to achieve your goals, marriage counseling is a collaborative process. Angela will regularly check in on your progress and adjust the approach to your sessions based on how things are going and what improvements are being made.
Our goal is never to keep couples in therapy any longer than they need to be. We seek to give our clients the tools to be able to sustain their relationship on their own, so that they can leave happier and healthier together.
You Choose: In-Person or Online Marriage Counseling in New York
If you’re a couple in New York looking for a marriage counselor, there are two service formats here at Relationships & More available to choose from.
For one, we primarily specialize in online marriage counseling. This service is available via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform and provides the same quality of care as an in-person session. Couples who have busy schedules or cannot travel easily to a physical office often find this to be the better option.
However, if you live in Westchester County or the greater New York area, you can also visit our office in Croton-on-Hudson and Rye, NY, for our in-person sessions. This is a great choice for those who live in Westchester, White Plains, Yonkers, and New York City.
Does Insurance Cover Marriage Counseling?
Insurance coverage is a common question when it comes to marriage counseling. Most insurance plans only cover counseling that is considered “medically necessary.” Since most marriage counseling sessions aren’t related to a specific diagnosis, many insurance plans deny coverage for marriage counseling. However, you may be able to receive coverage if your insurance offers a PPO plan. Angela can provide detailed superbills, which some clients may be able to submit to their insurance provider for reimbursement.
Many PPO and some HMO plans include out-of-network mental health benefits, so it’s a good idea if you’re considering working with a dedicated marriage counselor to call your insurance company and ask what their out-of-network reimbursement rate is for outpatient therapy.
At Relationships & More, we chose this model as it allows more dedicated time with each couple, helps to avoid insurance-mandated session limits, and aids in maintaining the kind of continuity that couples work specifically requires.
Start Rebuilding Your Marriage – Book a Consultation Today
If couples counseling sounds like something you and your partner would benefit from, be sure to reach out to us today. At Relationships & More, we offer free consultations, providing a low-stakes way to help ensure marriage counseling is for you and to see if working with us is the right fit.
Reaching out costs nothing and doesn’t commit you to anything, so if you have any further questions or would like a consultation, be sure to contact us directly, so that we can help you get your marriage back on track.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage Counseling in New York
What Is the Difference Between Marriage Counseling and Couples Therapy?
The two terms are often used interchangeably, and in most practical contexts, they refer to the same thing. Marriage counseling traditionally implies working with legally married couples on specific conflicts or questions about the future of the relationship. Couples therapy is a broader term that applies to any committed partnership, married or not. At Relationships & More, we welcome couples at any stage — engaged, married, long-term partners, or those navigating a potential separation — and tailor the work to where you are.
Does Marriage Counseling Work If Only One Partner Wants to Go?
It's more common than you might think for one partner to be reluctant, and it doesn't have to be a dealbreaker. Individual therapy can still create meaningful change — when one person begins to shift their own patterns and communication habits, the dynamic in the relationship often shifts too. If your partner isn't ready to come in together, starting on your own is still a worthwhile step. Angela is happy to talk through what makes the most sense for your situation during a free consultation.
Is Marriage Counseling Covered by Insurance?
Relationships & More is an out-of-network practice, which means we don't bill insurance directly. However, many clients use their out-of-network benefits to offset the cost. We provide detailed superbills that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement. See the fees section above for a full explanation of how it works, or call us to talk through your specific plan.
Do You Offer Online Marriage Counseling in New York?
Yes. Relationships & More offers online marriage counseling to couples across New York State. Sessions are held via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform and are available for couples who prefer remote access or whose schedules make in-person visits difficult. Online sessions offer the same quality of care as in-person appointments — couples routinely describe them as just as effective and often more convenient.
How Do We Know if We Need Marriage Counseling?
You don't have to be on the verge of divorce to benefit from counseling. Many couples come in simply wanting to communicate better, reconnect after a period of distance, or work through a recurring conflict that never quite gets resolved. If you find yourselves having the same argument over and over, feeling more like roommates than partners, or struggling to talk about something difficult without it turning into a fight, those are signs that a skilled third party could help. Counseling is not a last resort — it's often most effective when you start before things reach a breaking point.
What Therapy Methods Do You Use for Marriage Counseling?
Our marriage counseling work draws primarily from the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Angela Penichet is trained in the Gottman Method — a formal credential requiring specialized training — and is also trained in trauma treatment, attachment-based therapy, and mindfulness approaches. Rather than applying a fixed model, she tailors the approach to each couple's dynamics, communication patterns, and goals.
Will We See Angela, or Another Therapist?
You will work directly with Angela Penichet. Relationships & More is a boutique practice, not a large group — there is no intake coordinator, no handoff to a junior therapist, and no surprises. When you book a session, you are booking time with Angela personally.
How Quickly Can We Get an Appointment?
We offer same-week availability for new clients in most cases. If you're ready to get started, you don't have to wait weeks for a first session. Book a free 15-minute consultation, and we'll find a time that works for you.
“Call or Text to schedule your Appointment: 914-874-6852”