Marriage Counseling & Couples Therapy in Clayton, MO
Greenway Therapy — Relationship Counseling That Goes Deeper Than Communication Tips
Every relationship goes through difficult seasons. Whether you and your partner are caught in the same argument on repeat, feeling more like roommates than companions, or trying to find your footing after a serious breach of trust, couples therapy can help. At Greenway Therapy in Clayton, MO, our licensed therapists and relationship counselors work with couples at every stage, using evidence-based methods tailored to the real dynamics of your relationship, not a generic script.
- Gottman Method & Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
- LPCs & Licensed Counselors
- Serving Clayton, MO and the Greater St. Louis Area
- In-Person & Telehealth Sessions Available
What Brings Couples to Therapy — And What They Find Here
Relationship issues rarely appear overnight. Most couples we work with describe a gradual drift; communication that slowly became more reactive than connective, emotional distance that crept in during a stressful period and never quite lifted, or conflict patterns so ingrained they feel impossible to break. Others come in the wake of something more acute: infidelity, a major life transition, or a moment that made it clear things had to change.
Whatever brings you through the door, the process at Greenway Therapy is collaborative from the start. Research consistently shows that structured couples counseling produces meaningful, lasting improvements in relationship satisfaction and that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of that success. We take both of those things seriously.
Our team includes LPCs, PLPCs, therapists, and counselors with specialized training in couples work. We draw from several evidence-based approaches, including the Gottman Method, emotionally focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy, and combine them based on what your relationship actually needs.
Couples and Marriage Counseling Services
- Couples Therapy
- Marriage Counseling
- Premarital Counseling
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
- Relationship Counseling
- Communication Counseling
Couples therapy gives both partners a structured, supported space to work through what’s getting in the way, whether that’s communication issues, emotional distance, or long-standing conflict. Sessions are tailored to your specific dynamic, not pulled from a one-size-fits-all playbook.
Marriage counseling at Greenway Therapy is about more than conflict resolution. It’s about helping you and your spouse understand each other more fully, rebuild where things have worn thin, and develop the habits that sustain a marriage over time, not just through the hard seasons.
The couples who invest in their relationship before problems arise are often the ones who navigate challenges most effectively. Our premarital counseling sessions help you and your partner explore communication styles, family dynamics, and the conversations that are much easier to have before marriage than during it.
Developed from decades of research on what makes relationships succeed or fail, the Gottman Method gives couples concrete tools for strengthening friendship, managing conflict constructively, and building a deeper sense of shared meaning. Our therapists are trained in its application and draw from it with clinical intention, not as a script, but as a framework.
Emotionally focused therapy works by identifying the deeper attachment needs and emotional patterns driving conflict and disconnection. When couples feel stuck in cycles of withdrawal or pursuit, EFT helps them step outside those patterns and reconnect in a way that feels secure and genuine. It’s particularly effective for couples who feel emotionally distant even after trying other approaches.
Not every couple seeking support is married or in crisis. Relationship counseling is available to couples at any stage — dating, cohabitating, or navigating a major transition together. If something feels off and you want help understanding it, that’s a good enough reason to reach out.
Communication issues are the most common reason couples seek therapy and among the most treatable. Our therapists help couples move beyond surface-level communication skills to understand the underlying patterns, emotional triggers, and unmet needs that turn ordinary conversations into conflicts.
Relationship Challenges We Commonly Work With
Recurring Conflict and Communication Breakdown
When the same arguments keep surfacing about money, parenting, intimacy, or how decisions get made, it’s usually a sign that something deeper is driving the cycle. Our therapists help couples identify those underlying dynamics and develop conflict resolution skills that change the pattern, rather than just managing it in the moment.
Infidelity and Rebuilding Trust
Recovery from infidelity is one of the most difficult things a couple can undertake and one of the most possible. Many couples come to us convinced that betrayal means the end, and leave having built something more honest and resilient than what existed before. The process isn’t easy, but it is navigable with the right support.
Emotional Distance and Loss of Intimacy
Emotional distance tends to build quietly through busy schedules, unspoken resentments, or a gradual habit of keeping the peace instead of staying connected. Couples counseling provides a space to name what’s shifted and take intentional steps toward rebuilding it.
Life Transitions That Strain the Relationship
A new baby, a career change, relocation, loss of a parent, or a child leaving home — major transitions put pressure on even strong relationships. Our team is experienced in supporting both partners through the personal and relational weight of change, drawing on both individual therapy and couples work when that’s the right combination.
Premarital Preparation
Not every couple seeking counseling is in distress. Many come proactively to strengthen communication before stressors arise, explore expectations around family and finances, or simply invest in a strong start. Premarital counseling is one of the most practical things an engaged couple can do.
Why Clayton Couples Choose Greenway Therapy
Real Expertise in Couples Work
Not every therapist is trained in couples counseling; it’s a distinct specialty. Our team includes therapists and counselors, whose training and clinical focus are centered on relationship work. You’ll be working with someone who genuinely knows this territory.
Evidence-Based, Not Just Well-Intentioned
The Gottman Method and emotionally focused therapy aren’t buzzwords here; they’re approaches our therapists are actively trained in and apply with clinical intention. Combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and other research-supported tools, our work is grounded in what the evidence shows actually helps couples.
A Thoughtful Matching Process
The fit between a couple and their therapist matters enormously. We don’t assign you to whoever is available. We take the time to understand your situation and match you with the therapist on our St. Louis area team whose background and approach are the best fit for what you’re navigating.
Support for the Individual When It’s Part of the Picture
Relationship issues and individual mental health are often connected. When one partner’s anxiety, unprocessed trauma, or emotional patterns are shaping the relationship dynamic, our team can support both individual therapy and couples counseling with clear clinical boundaries and a coordinated approach.
Serving Clayton, MO and the St. Louis Area
Common Questions About Marriage and Couples Counseling
Does couples therapy actually work?
Yes — when both partners are willing to engage with the process. Research on structured approaches like the Gottman Method and emotionally focused therapy consistently shows meaningful improvements in relationship satisfaction, communication, and emotional connection. The earlier couples seek support, the better outcomes tend to be.
Do both partners have to attend every session?
Most couples therapy is most effective when both partners attend together. That said, individual therapy can be a valuable complement, particularly when one partner is working through something personal that’s affecting the relationship. We’ll discuss the right structure for your situation from the start.
What's the difference between marriage counseling and couples therapy?
In practice, the terms are largely interchangeable. Both involve working with a relationship counselor to improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen connections. ‘Marriage counseling’ tends to be used when a couple is legally married; ‘couples therapy’ is the broader term that includes unmarried partners. At Greenway Therapy, we work with couples at every stage of commitment.
What if my partner is reluctant to come to therapy?
It’s more common than you’d think. If your partner isn’t ready, individual therapy is a worthwhile starting point. Working on your own communication patterns and emotional responses can shift the dynamic in real ways, and sometimes that creates an opening for your partner to engage when they’re ready.
How many therapy sessions does couples counseling take?
It varies. Some couples make significant progress in eight to twelve sessions; others benefit from longer engagement, particularly when trust repair or deeper relational patterns are part of the work. Your therapist will discuss a realistic timeline during your first session and revisit it as you move forward.
Do you offer telehealth for couples counseling?
Yes. Telehealth therapy is conducted via a secure video platform and available for both new and returning clients.
Ready to Invest in Your Relationship?
Reaching out for couples counseling takes courage, and it’s one of the most meaningful steps you can take for yourself, your partner, and your future together. Contact Greenway Therapy today to schedule your first session. Whether you’re in the middle of a crisis or simply ready to build something stronger, we’re here to help.
Contact Us About Marriage and Couples Counseling
Customer Reviews
I have known Ashley Rickert for multiple years as she was one of my classmates in grad school. Having known Ashley for as long as I have, I've had the pleasure of seeing her therapy skills in a variety of scenarios (through practicum and internship, as well as her post graduate work).
She is immensely knowledgeable and professional. Lately, she has been described as "quiet, but mighty!" Most of all, she is respectful of our clients and genuinely cares for them.
Honored to share the space with her!
No doubt this is the BEST place to get the BEST counseling service in ALL of St. Louis area.
