Counseling in Lakewood, CA
Specializing in Couples Therapy using the Gottman Method
Counseling in Lakewood, CA
Your relationship is struggling. The recent argument with your spouse was the worst it’s ever been. For the first time, they said, “Maybe we should do this separately.” Now, doubts about your relationship creep into your mind. You feel exhausted from the arguing and sleepless nights with the kids. You feel unappreciated and disrespected for all the work you do at home and in your relationship. Your spouse thinks their work is more important than yours and values their time over yours. When they said you were nagging and didn’t understand their stress, you lost it. The imbalance in the “mental load” is overwhelming. Both of you work, but you also manage the household, run a business, and take care of the kids.
You don’t want to end up like your parents, with resentment leading to infidelity and separation. You want to be part of the 50% of couples who make it. But you’re at the end of your rope and don’t know what to do. You need help, guidance, and hope. Couples therapy feels like the last option before considering a divorce.
Your spouse is also struggling. They feel your communication is crumbling and sometimes don’t recognize you. They try to be supportive but feel unappreciated. They’re frustrated that you keep bringing up past conflicts and are considering separation as a logical step for space to think.
Both of you are at your breaking points. You need help, guidance, and hope.
My name is Anna, and I Can Help
Anna McDonald Counselor in Lakewood Specializing in couples therapy and anxiety
I help couples just like you—couples who feel lost in communication and connection, and whose love now feels like a stranger or an enemy. Together, we face the fears hidden in your emotional closets, learning tools to help you communicate, connect, and effectively manage conflict.
I use a unique approach to couples therapy called the Gottman Method, which is based on over 40 years of research from the Gottman Institute. In our sessions, we work collaboratively to identify and disrupt negative patterns, replacing them with new ways of communication and connection.
Through this process, I have seen relationships transform from codependence to interdependence, from aggressive communication to peaceful dialogue, and from isolation to connection. During and after treatment, couples discover what it truly means to have a healthy relationship with one another.
Contact me for a free consultation
Reaching out and scheduling a free consultation is the first step toward healing and revitalizing your relationship. The sooner you take this step, the sooner you can begin to address the issues that have been causing pain and distance. Don’t wait until things get worse—take action now to start building a stronger, more connected relationship. Request your consultation online or via phone call today (562-353-7136).
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Founder & Lead Therapist
Certified Gottman TherapistAnna is a down-to-earth, deeply compassionate therapist who helps couples strengthen their connection, rebuild trust, and find their way back to each other, even when things feel messy, overwhelming, or disconnected.
With nearly full certification in the Gottman Method and years of experience supporting couples through conflict, communication issues, life transitions, parenting stress, and emotional distance, Anna brings evidence-based tools wrapped in warmth, humor, and humanity.
Her approach is simple: no judgment, no performance — just real support for real relationships.
Whether she’s working with couples in therapy or leading her 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work Workshops, Anna creates a safe, grounded space for meaningful growth, deeper emotional intimacy, and genuine connection.
Meet the Team
We’re here to help you feel seen, supported, and less alone.
Get to know the therapists behind Thrive Therapy & Couples Counseling.
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Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
Supervised by Anna McDonald, LCSWVictoria is a warm and steady presence for couples and individuals navigating the emotional, relational, and logistical challenges of parenting - especially for families of children with special needs.
With over a decade of experience in special education, she has a rare ability to understand the unique pressures parents face while offering tools that feel practical, gentle, and actually doable. She’s trained in the Gottman Method and blends evidence-based approaches like CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, and IFS with compassion and clarity.
Clients describe her as grounding, empathetic, and deeply attuned — someone who helps you feel seen without ever feeling judged.
Victoria offers virtual sessions at $150 per session and is currently accepting new clients.Click to learn more.
Click on the counseling specialty below to learn in detail how I help!
Online Therapy
Our office is conveniently located wherever you are! No need to drive through traffic, just hop onto your phone or laptop with online therapy in California and Florida.