Couples therapy
Couples Therapy in New York and Online
Online couples therapy with Brad Salzman, LCSW, CSAT, for couples affected by sex or porn addiction, betrayal, and problems with closeness and intimacy.
When couples therapy can help
Some couples come after a discovery or a disclosure, when trust has been badly damaged and both people want to know whether the relationship can recover. Others come because they feel distant, argue in the same circles, or struggle with intimacy, with or without an addiction in the picture.
In couples therapy, both partners have a voice. The aim is to understand what has been happening between them and to find a way forward that both people can live with.
After sex or porn addiction, timing matters
After a discovery, couples work often helps most once the hurt partner has support of their own and the person in recovery is actively working on their recovery. Some couples sessions can help early on, to keep things steady. Deeper repair usually comes after a full, honest therapeutic disclosure, so that the work is built on the truth.
That is why couples therapy often runs alongside individual therapy for each partner, rather than replacing it. Partners can get support of their own through partner therapy.
What couples work can help with
- Talking about what happened without the conversation falling apart
- Understanding the impact of the betrayal, together
- Agreeing on boundaries and what accountability looks like
- Rebuilding emotional closeness and, in time, sexual intimacy
- Communicating more honestly, day to day
Rebuilding trust
Trust is rebuilt slowly, through consistent honest behavior over time, not through promises. Three things tend to matter most:
- Clear boundaries. The hurt partner decides what they need in order to feel safe.
- Accountability. The person in recovery takes responsibility for their own recovery work, without their partner having to police it.
- Ongoing honesty. That includes telling the truth about slips or struggles, instead of hiding them.
Not a way to pressure anyone to stay
Couples therapy is not a way to persuade a partner to stay. Some couples rebuild a stronger relationship. Others decide to separate. Good therapy supports honest decisions, whatever they turn out to be.
Safety comes first. If there is any concern about safety or abuse in the relationship, couples therapy may not be the right step, and individual support comes first. If you are in danger, contact local emergency services or a domestic violence hotline.
How sessions work
Sessions are held online by video, so couples can meet from somewhere private. Early morning and weekend hours are available. For couples where the person in recovery needs a more concentrated start, intensive programs can include partner sessions.
What clients say
“When I started therapy with Brad, my relationship with my partner looked like it was over. She said I was emotionally unavailable, and she was right. I often didn’t know what I was feeling or how to communicate. After working with Brad, our relationship is better than ever, and we plan on getting married.”
Free, confidential consultation
Sessions are held online. Licensed in New York (LCSW).