Online Couples Therapy in Alameda, CA
LGBTQ+ affirming couples therapy, with room for your relationship as it is.
You do not have to wait until you are at the end of your rope to care for your relationship.
Maybe the same argument keeps resurfacing. Maybe you feel more like roommates than partners. Maybe you still feel close and want support before a major change.
I am Laura Grossman, a queer therapist offering online couples therapy for adults in Alameda and throughout California. I work with queer, trans, monogamous, and non-monogamous partners, along with other couples who connect with my approach.
Together, we explore what happens between you, what each person needs, and how you want to move forward.
Couples Therapy in Alameda
Relationships can hold love, frustration, and uncertainty at the same time. You may care deeply about each other while struggling to have conversations that leave you feeling understood.
Couples therapy offers space to slow down, notice familiar patterns, and practice different ways of connecting. You do not need to agree on every concern before beginning.
We can work on:
Recurring arguments and communication difficulties
Feeling distant, lonely, or disconnected
Rebuilding trust after hurt or betrayal
Intimacy, desire, and different emotional needs
Co-parenting and sharing responsibilities
Preparing for marriage, parenthood, or a move
Deciding whether to continue or end a relationship
Some partners begin during a difficult period. Others want to strengthen a relationship that already matters to them. Both are welcome.
Understanding the patterns between you
An argument about chores or schedules can carry questions: Do you notice how much I am doing? Can I count on you? Is there room for what I need?
One partner may keep talking to seek reassurance while the other pulls away to avoid making things worse. Each response makes sense to that person, yet both can leave the conversation feeling alone.
In sessions, we notice these moments together, explore what is underneath them, and practice expressing needs more clearly.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Couples Therapy
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As a queer-identifying therapist, I bring an affirming approach and training in the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy for queer couples.
Your identities, language, and relationship structure are respected from the beginning. We can explore the pressures surrounding your partnership without assuming that every difficulty comes from being LGBTQ+.
Our work may include:
Coming out or exploring gender within a relationship
Different levels of openness with family or others
Family rejection and relationships with chosen family
Polyamory, ethical non-monogamy, and relationship agreements
Boundaries, jealousy, trust, and commitment
You do not need to fit a traditional model of partnership. We work toward ways of communicating and connecting that reflect the people involved.
What Couples Sessions Look Like
Early sessions help us understand what brought you here, what each person hopes will change, and where conversations tend to become difficult.
From there, we might slow down an exchange, make room for a feeling that usually gets overlooked, or practice asking for something without criticism. We may also explore how earlier experiences influence what feels safe or threatening now.
My role is to help you understand the relationship more clearly. Both partners have space to speak and participate in deciding what we focus on.
Laura Grossman, LMFT #134820
Meet Laura Grossman, LMFT
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than ten years of experience in the industry supporting individuals, couples, and families. I live in neighboring Oakland, my practice is based in Berkeley, and all sessions take place online.
I hold an M.S. in therapy from California State University, East Bay. My training includes couples therapy, Somatic Experiencing, and group therapy. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and curious about what matters to you.
Online Therapy for Alameda Clients
Online sessions let you attend from a familiar, private space without adding bridge or tube traffic to your day.
Couples appointments are 70 minutes, and individual appointments are 50 minutes. We meet weekly at a consistent time through a secure video platform.
You will need reliable internet and somewhere you can talk without being overheard. Everyone participating must be physically located in California during each session.
Individual and Somatic Therapy
You can explore relationship patterns individually, including dating, family dynamics, boundaries, or a partnership your partner is not ready to discuss in therapy.
I also offer somatic therapy, which brings attention to physical experiences such as tension, numbness, or changes in breathing alongside your thoughts and feelings.
Explore individual LGBTQ+ therapy or somatic therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. My practice centers LGBTQ+ relationships, but other couples are welcome if my approach feels right for them.
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No. Sessions are online, but both partners must be physically in California during appointments.
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Yes. We can explore what each of you wants and support thoughtful conversations about your next steps.
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I do not accept insurance. I provide monthly statements you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Check your benefits with your insurer.
Begin Couples Therapy in Alameda
Start with a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation to ask questions and explore whether we are a good fit.