Couples Therapy
Couples therapy at Hearts Aligned Therapy helps partners navigate conflict, rebuild trust, and deepen emotional intimacy. Steven Makulinski, LMFT uses evidence-based approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method to help couples identify negative interaction patterns and replace them with healthier ways of connecting. Whether you are dealing with communication breakdowns, infidelity recovery, or simply want to strengthen your bond, couples therapy provides a safe, structured environment to work through challenges together.
What to Expect
What Is Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy designed to help romantic partners improve their relationship. At Hearts Aligned Therapy in Rockwall, TX, Steven Makulinski, LMFT works with couples to identify recurring conflict patterns, strengthen emotional bonds, and develop practical communication skills. Couples therapy is not just for relationships in crisis — many couples seek therapy to proactively strengthen their partnership and prevent future problems.
How Couples Therapy Works at Hearts Aligned Therapy
During couples therapy sessions, Steven guides both partners through structured conversations and therapeutic exercises. The process typically begins with an initial assessment to understand each partner's perspective, relationship history, and goals. From there, sessions focus on identifying negative interaction cycles — such as pursue-withdraw or criticize-defend patterns — and replacing them with healthier, more connected ways of relating. Most couples attend weekly sessions lasting 50 to 60 minutes.
Evidence-Based Approaches We Use
Hearts Aligned Therapy uses Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method, two of the most research-supported approaches to couples therapy. EFT focuses on strengthening the emotional bond between partners by helping them express underlying attachment needs. The Gottman Method draws on decades of research to teach couples specific skills for managing conflict, building friendship, and creating shared meaning in their relationship.
Common Issues Addressed in Couples Therapy
Couples therapy at Hearts Aligned Therapy addresses a wide range of relationship challenges including communication breakdowns, frequent arguments, emotional distance, trust issues, infidelity recovery, differences in parenting styles, financial disagreements, intimacy concerns, and life transitions such as becoming parents or blending families. Steven creates a nonjudgmental space where both partners feel safe to express their needs and work toward shared solutions.
Is Couples Therapy Right for You?
Couples therapy is beneficial for partners at any stage of their relationship — from newly dating to decades-long marriages. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit. If you find yourselves having the same arguments repeatedly, feeling emotionally disconnected, struggling with a major life change, or simply wanting to invest in a stronger relationship, couples therapy can help. Steven Makulinski offers both in-person sessions in Rockwall, TX and telehealth sessions for couples anywhere in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Get Started?
Take the first step toward healing. Schedule a session to discuss how couples therapy can help you.