Restoration for Your Relationship. Peace for Your Past

You Want More from Your Relationship…

…But Something Keeps Getting in the Way

You want to feel close. Safe. Chosen.

But lately, even the simplest conversations turn into conflict. You find yourself shutting down, getting reactive, or pulling away; even when you’re desperate to stay close. It feels like something deeper takes over before you can even find the words.

You’re left wondering: Why is this so hard? Why does this hurt so much?

Whether it’s with a partner, a parent, or even your child, you know you’re capable of connection. But the same hitting the same wall. The misunderstandings. The distance. Feeling like you are invisible to the person who should know you best.

You’re not broken. And you're not alone. There’s more to the story.

Old Wounds Can Still Echo…

…Even If You Don’t Talk About Them

Many of us carry pain from long before we could name it.

It shows up in the way we love, the way we fight, and the way we see ourselves today.

• The fear of being too much.

• The shame of not being enough.

• The feeling that love has to be earned.

These patterns don't just fade. They follow us into our marriages and partnerships. We try to build something new, but find ourselves reacting to things that happened decades ago.

You might find yourself playing the part of the “well-adjusted” partner who has it all together, while secretly feeling fundamentally misunderstood. It’s hard to truly connect when you’re still trying to protect yourself from the echoes of the past.

It’s not about blaming the past. It’s about understanding how that past still lives in your current relationship—and giving it the resolution it never got.

There’s a Way Through…

…One That Doesn’t Involve Pretending You’re Fine

Healing doesn’t mean reliving everything. It means learning to feel safe again; in your body, in your story, in your relationships.

It means untangling the old narratives that tell you you’re too much, too needy, too broken, and replacing them with the truth.

In therapy, we slow things down. We make space for what’s been buried or ignored. We reconnect the dots between what happened then and how you feel now. From that place, real change begins; not just in how you think, but in how you relate, love, trust, and live.

Whether you’re here to save a relationship, resolve childhood trauma, or finally feel like yourself again, this is a place where your story matters.

Let’s begin.

Hi, I’m Karl

I Help Couples Find Their Way Back to Each Other

I'm a therapist in Irvine, CA, specializing in helping couples who feel disconnected, often because of the deeper, unspoken layers of trauma or adoption that can make truly trusting another person feel high-risk. I work with people who are tired of feeling stuck in relationships that have gone cold or patterns that keep repeating.

My clients are often thoughtful, capable people who care deeply about their relationships. They're here because something isn't working, and they're brave enough to look at it honestly. Many of them have spent years trying to fix things on their own, reading the books, listening to the podcasts, working harder to communicate better. Only to find that 'knowing' what to do hasn't changed how it actually feels to be in the room together.

What I've learned over fifteen years of working with couples and families is that most relationship problems aren't really about communication. They're about safety. When we don't feel emotionally safe with our partner, we protect ourselves. We shut down, we criticize, we leave the room. And underneath all of that, we're just scared—scared of being rejected, of being too much or not enough, of showing our real hurt and being alone in it.

I practice Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which helps couples get underneath the surface arguments to what's actually happening emotionally. I'm warm but direct. I won't waste your time, and I won't let you hide from what matters. My clients tell me they appreciate that I don't do therapy-speak, I talk like a real person, because that's what creates real connection.

If you're willing to look at yourself honestly and try something different even when it's uncomfortable, we'll do good work together.

Let's see if we're a fit

Taking the first step can feel significant, but it doesn't have to be complicated. We’ll spend 15 minutes on the phone so I can hear what's going on and let you know exactly how I can help. If I’m not the right person for your specific needs, I’ll do my best to connect you with someone who is.

Discover how working with a therapist who has a clear plan can change the way you move through the world.