Counseling Couples in Crisis

Therapy for Wounded Relationships

At The Family Recovery Institute (FRI) in San Rafael, CA, we specialize in helping couples through some of the most painful and defining moments of their lives together. Whether you're navigating substance overuse or addiction, infidelity, emotional disconnection, lack of intimacy, or separation, we offer expert, compassionate counseling to help light the way to healing and a path forward together.

Couples in crisis often come to us feeling hopeless, resentful, or shut down. We provide a space where both partners are heard and supported—where old patterns can shift, and new possibilities can emerge.

When a Relationship is Experiencing Existential Crisis

Every relationship has challenges—but sometimes those challenges become overwhelming, even existential. Crises can rupture trust, erode intimacy, and trigger long-standing personal wounds. Without intervention, couples can spiral into destructive patterns that feel impossible to escape. At FRI, we help couples face and work through a wide range of relationship crises that may include:

  • Parenting difficulties particularly involving a troubled teen or stuck young adult

  • Sexual problems including infidelity, changes in sexual preferences, performance problems (medical workup always essential first), or loss of sexual interest with or without “bed death”

  • Financial situations resulting in emotional difficulties

  • Substance overuse or addiction in one partner

  • Recent tragedy or loss causing partnership discord or estrangement

  • Partners deciding whether to remain together or separate thoughtfully

  • Mood problems in a partner causing deterioration of partnership’s meaning or value

Common relationship issues that we treat include:

Addiction and Substance Abuse

When substance overuse or addictive disorders is present—whether related to drugs, alcohol, or behavioral or “process” addictions like gambling or sex—it deeply impacts both partners. The non-using partner may feel betrayed, abandonment, or trapped in a caretaker role. The partner struggling with addiction may feel shame, denial, or defensiveness. We provide trauma-informed, relationship-focused support to help couples move from simply survival to recovery and happiness.

Infidelity and Betrayal

Affairs create deep emotional trauma in relationships. Whether it’s a physical or emotional betrayal, trust is broken—and both partners suffer. We help couples process the pain, understand the “why” beneath the affair, and explore how to rebuild trust and connection and if it can be done at all.

Divorce, Separation, and Breakups

For some couples, therapy is about ending the relationship with clarity and respect. Others want help navigating the uncertainty of whether to stay or leave. We support couples in separation or divorce to minimize conflict, protect children’s wellbeing, and reestablish healthy communication.

Intimacy Issues

Disconnection—emotional or sexual—can erode long-standing relationships. Partners may feel rejected, ashamed, or alone and abandoned . We help couples explore and resolve blocks to intimacy, reconnect emotionally, and rebuild emotional and physical trust and comfort.

Chronic Conflict and Emotional Shutdown

When couples are locked in chronic conflict—or avoid each other entirely—it’s often a symptom of one or some of the issues mentioned above. Our therapy helps couples break out of these patterns and develop healthier, more productive ways of relating.

Our Therapeutic Approach

Every couple’s journey is different. Some come in on the brink of dissolution while others wisely just want get out ahead of a brewing issue or issues and reconnect. We tailor our work to individual needs and situations, drawing from proven therapeutic modalities.

Our therapists are neutral, nonjudgmental, and skilled at holding space for both partners. We help couples slow down reactive cycles, speak from vulnerability, and explore repair—even after serious harm has occurred.

Therapy Options for Couples in Crisis

Individual Therapy

In many cases, relationship struggles reflect individual challenges—trauma, attachment wounds, low self-worth, or anxiety. We offer individual therapy to help clients process their experience in the relationship and gain insight and clarity. Whether you’re in crisis, healing from betrayal, or uncertain about staying, individual therapy offers a private, supportive space to work through issues.

Couples Therapy

Our couples therapy sessions are structured to reduce blame, build empathy, and promote understanding. We work collaboratively with both partners to:

  • Rebuild trust after infidelity

  • Improve communication and emotional regulation

  • Address physical and emotional disconnection

  • Develop healthy boundaries and shared goals

We also offer counseling for couples who are unsure whether to stay together at all, facilitating a short-term process focused on decision-making.

Family Therapy

When a couple is in crisis, the entire family feels the impact—especially children or young adult dependents. Our family therapy services help families navigate transitions like separation, blended family formation, or recovery from addiction. We support parents, co-parents, and extended family systems in creating new relational structures that are clear, respectful, and supportive.

Why Choose FRI for Couples Counseling?

Located in San Rafael, CA, The Family Recovery Institute is a renowned and trusted provider of couples counseling in Marin, northern San Mateo, and Sonoma counties. Our therapists are experienced in navigating sensitive emotional work and helping couples reconnect, redefine, or peacefully and productively part ways.

Ready to Get Support?

With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Perlmutter and the experienced team of clinicians at FRI combine psychodynamics, family systems therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, peer support, and spiritual methods to help our clients achieve their goals. This is often long-term challenging work. We pride ourselves on our ability to help people with complex conditions and difficult circumstances. We serve couples from San Rafael, Mill Valley, Novato, Fairfax, Petaluma, and the broader Bay Area.

Please call 415-322-0939 for a phone consultation or complete our form to schedule an appointment.