These patterns don’t change just because time passes. They shift when we start bringing awareness to them. In relationship therapy in Irvine, that’s exactly what we do. We name what’s happening. We give space to the part of you that’s been performing or enduring for far too long. We start to imagine what it could look like to be in these relationships in a new way—or, in some cases, to grieve that they may never be what you hoped.

If it feels like your relationship keeps running into the same argument on repeat, you’re not alone. Communication struggles are one of the most common reasons couples seek out Karl Stenske, LMFT, relationship counseling in Irvine.

Sometimes couples worry, “We’ve changed too much to make this work.” But in truth, Karl Stenske, LMFT and his relationship counseling in Irvine is built on the idea that change is expected—and that we can learn how to adapt together, rather than apart.

One of the most common patterns I hear about in relationship counseling in Irvine is the quiet buildup of resentment. During COVID, many couples stopped talking about hard things because there just wasn’t enough energy left. Emotional check-ins were replaced by survival-mode logistics.