Dr. Karina Samaniego Estrada, PhD

Many couples come to therapy feeling stuck, hurt, or unsure how to reconnect. My approach is collaborative, structured, and compassionate. As a licensed psychologist, I bring both clinical depth and practical tools to help couples create meaningful change. Using research-based methods like the Gottman Method, I help couples slow down conflict, improve communication, and rebuild emotional connection so they can move forward with greater clarity, trust, and hope. If you’re unsure whether couples therapy is the right next step, I offer a complimentary phone consultation so we can talk briefly and see if we’re a good fit.

I work with couples and adults navigating relationship stress, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. My couples work is informed by the Gottman Method and focuses on helping partners move from blame and disconnection toward understanding and teamwork. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish, in person and online. Along with therapy for adults and couples, I also provide specialized immigration psychological evaluations for hardship waivers, asylum, VAWA, UT visas, N-648, and cancellation of removal (42B) cases.

Many couples who reach out feel they?ve tried everything and still don?t know how to move forward, but still care deeply about their relationship and hope things can improve. Therapy can help you understand emotional patterns, communicate more effectively, and develop healthier ways of responding to conflict so relationships feel safer and more connected.

I work best with couples who care deeply about each other but feel stuck in painful cycles of conflict or disconnection. Many worry their relationship may not survive, yet they still hope things can improve and are willing to work together to create healthier patterns. If you're feeling unsure about where to start, you're welcome to reach out for a complimentary consultation to see if we're a good fit.