Struggling in Your Relationship? You’re Not Alone.
Esther Perel once said, “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” When communication breaks down or trust fades, indifference often creeps in—and that’s when many couples start to feel stuck.
If you’re wondering whether couples therapy could help, it might be the exact right time to explore it.
At Eastern Shore Counseling in Portland, Maine, we offer compassionate, holistic couples therapy to help you reconnect, repair, and rediscover each other.
Key Takeaways
Learn the signs that your relationship could benefit from couples therapy.
Discover how therapy supports healthier communication and connection.
Get a clear picture of what to expect in your first session.
Understand how Eastern Shore Counseling offers a holistic approach to healing.
Schedule a free consult to see if couples therapy is right for you.
What Is Couples Therapy, and What Can It Do?
Couples therapy offers a safe, structured space to explore challenges and improve connection. Whether you’re dealing with ongoing tension, communication breakdowns, or the impact of stress and life changes, a trained therapist helps both partners feel heard and supported.
At Eastern Shore Counseling, sessions often focus on:
Identifying harmful patterns
Strengthening emotional connection
Improving communication and conflict resolution
Rebuilding trust and intimacy
How Do You Know If Couples Therapy Is Right for You?
Even the strongest couples hit rough patches. Therapy can help you move through them—especially if you're noticing:
1. Constant Arguments or Miscommunication
If it feels like you're talking past each other—or not talking at all—therapy can help you rebuild clarity and mutual understanding.
2. Big Life Changes
Transitions like new parenthood, career shifts, or moving can shake even solid foundations. Couples therapy provides tools to navigate these changes together.
3. Mental Health Challenges Affecting the Relationship
When one or both partners are struggling with anxiety, depression, or burnout, therapy offers support for the relationship and the individual.
4. Feeling Disconnected or “Off”
You might not be fighting—but you also might not feel close anymore. If something feels off, therapy can help you get to the root of what’s shifted and how to restore connection.
What Happens in Couples Therapy?
Therapy is a collaborative process. Here’s what to expect:
Initial Assessment: Your therapist gathers relationship history, current concerns, and goals
Communication Work: Learn to express needs and listen without defensiveness
Conflict Resolution Tools: Build skills to navigate disagreements constructively
Intimacy + Trust Repair: Reconnect emotionally and rebuild the foundation of your partnership
You’ll work with a therapist who understands how to hold space for both partners, offering balance, validation, and forward movement.
A Holistic Approach to Couples Counseling in Portland, ME
At Eastern Shore Counseling, we don’t just treat symptoms—we get to the root of what’s going on in your relationship. Our holistic therapy model considers:
Mind – communication, attachment patterns, trauma responses
Body – how stress shows up physically and somatically
Spirit – your deeper values, purpose, and emotional connection
We specialize in supporting couples where anxiety, postpartum challenges, or low self-worth are affecting the relationship. Our team creates a supportive environment for both individual healing and relational growth.
Meet Your Portland, ME Couples Therapist
If you’re looking for couples therapy in Portland, both Amy Fort, LCSW and Josh Masterson, LCSW are our experienced clinicians. They help couples navigate burnout, stress, and disconnection with empathy and clarity. Tools offered include: communication, nervous system regulation, and emotional repair—helping you build a stronger partnership together.
Learn more about Josh Masterson >>
What to Expect in Your First Session
Your first couples therapy session sets the tone for your journey together.
You’ll share what’s bringing you in, and your therapist will ask questions to understand your story.
Together, you’ll define goals—like improving communication, rebuilding trust, or navigating a transition.
Most importantly, your therapist will help create a safe space where both partners feel heard, not blamed.
We offer a free consultation to answer questions and help you decide if couples therapy is right for you.
Common Concerns (and Why They Shouldn’t Stop You)
“What if therapy makes things worse?”
Therapy doesn’t create problems—it reveals what’s already there, so you can finally address it together.
“Will it take forever to see results?”
Many couples begin to feel relief after the first few sessions. The timeline depends on your goals and commitment.
Taking the First Step Toward Relationship Repair
Whether you're stuck in arguments, feeling emotionally distant, or unsure where your relationship is headed—you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At Eastern Shore Counseling in Portland, ME, we believe in second chances, slow healing, and the power of working together. Couples therapy is not just for couples in crisis—it’s for any couple who wants a deeper, healthier connection.
👉 Schedule your free consultation today and begin the journey toward a stronger, more connected relationship.
FAQ: Couples Counseling in Portland, ME
What is couples therapy, and how does it work?
It’s a safe space to work through challenges with a trained therapist who helps you strengthen communication, resolve conflicts, and reconnect emotionally.
How do I know if we need therapy?
If you're stuck in recurring arguments, navigating a life transition, or feeling disconnected—therapy can help.
Who do you work with?
We support couples of all backgrounds, including those managing anxiety, parenting stress, or relationship fatigue.
How long does couples therapy last?
It varies. Some couples benefit from short-term support, while others choose longer-term work. We’ll help you set the right pace.
Do both partners have to be on board?
Therapy is most effective when both partners are open to the process, even if you're unsure at first.