Couples Counseling
Couples counseling & marriage therapy in Ann Arbor, Plymouth, & Farmington Hills, Michigan
At Mala, we believe that relationships are the foundation of wellbeing. When relationships feel strained, tense, or disconnected, it can be painful and confusing, especially when you still care about each other but keep getting stuck in the same patterns.
Many couples come to therapy not because they want to separate, but because they want to feel close again. They want to communicate more clearly. They want to feel safe with each other. They want to understand what keeps going wrong.
At Mala Child & Family Institute, we provide evidence-based couples counseling and marriage therapy in Metro Detroit. Our work offers a structured, non-judgmental space to slow down, reflect, and rebuild connection with intention. Sessions focus on the relationship itself—not on assigning blame or taking sides. Our therapists’ role is to help you recognize patterns, understand emotional triggers, regulate conflict, and strengthen attachment.
What the Research tells us:
Approximately 70–80% of couples report significant improvement in relationship satisfaction after engaging in therapy.
Couples who receive structured relationship education and therapy show significantly lower long-term divorce rates.
Improvements in communication and emotional regulation during therapy predict long-term relationship stability.
Secure relationships are associated with better mental health, lower rates of depression and anxiety, and improved physical health outcomes.
Untreated relationship distress is linked to increased depression, anxiety, chronic stress, physical health problems, and higher separation rates.
Children in high-conflict homes are at greater risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties.
How Couples Counseling Can Help
Couples come to therapy for many different reasons, including:
• Communication difficulties or frequent conflict
• Feeling disconnected, distant, or misunderstood
• Trust concerns or healing after infidelity or betrayal
• Navigating life transitions (marriage, parenting, career changes, relocation)
• Parenting stress and co-parenting strain
• Differences in values, boundaries, or expectations
• Intimacy or sexual concerns
• Coping with grief, trauma, or mental health challenges as a couple
Many couples wait years before seeking support due to stigma, fear of being blamed, cultural messages about privacy, or believing things aren’t “bad enough.” Research shows that earlier intervention often leads to stronger outcomes.
How Mala’s Approach is Different
Our approach to couples and marriage counseling in Michigan is compassionate, structured, and deeply informed by research.
We draw from:
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Attachment science
• Trauma-informed relational frameworks
• Communication and skills-based interventions
• Neurodiversity-affirming models
These approaches are supported by decades of empirical research showing improvements in emotional connection, trust, intimacy, and long-term relational stability.
We honor the diversity of relationships and welcome couples of all identities, orientations, cultures, and relationship structures. Our clinicians are committed to trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and neurodiversity-affirming care.
Meet Mala’s Relationship Counselors
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Aziza Ghanem Bazzi, LLMSW, SSW
Limited Licensed Social Worker
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Dr. Brooke Landry, PhD, DLLP
Doctoral Level Psychologist
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Caleb Bonno, BA
Clinical Psychology Practicum Student
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Dr. Hasti Raveau, PhD, LP
Doctoral Level Psychologist
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Karen Vogt, MA, LLMFT
Limited Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
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Kenny Montemayor, MS, TLLP
Master’s Level Psychologist
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Dr. Mariam Saad, PhD, LP
Doctoral Level Psychologist
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Meret Flessenkamper, MA
Clinical Psychology Practicum Student
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Nicolas Jakowiec, MS, TLLP
Master’s Level Psychologist
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Philip Ognenovski, LLMSW
Limited Licensed Social Worker
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Ryleigh Kryska, LMSW
Clinical Social Worker
Your Questions About Couples Counseling, Answered:
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Couples counseling may be a good fit if you’re both willing to show up honestly, reflect on your patterns, and work toward change—even if things feel hard right now. You don’t need to have all the answers before starting; curiosity and openness go a long way.
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That’s very common. It’s okay if one partner feels more “ready” than the other — but both parties must be open, willing participants.
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Couples therapy can be powerful, but there are times when a different type of support may be needed first.
If there is ongoing abuse, fear for safety, active substance use that is destabilizing the relationship, or a severe mental health crisis, individual care or specialized support may be more appropriate before beginning joint sessions. Couples therapy works best when both partners feel safe and have at least some openness to reflection and change.
If we believe another level of care would better protect or support you, we will talk about that transparently and help guide you toward the right resources. Our priority is always safety, dignity, and effective care.
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Yes, because the relationship is the client, therapists do not keep secrets between partners that affect the work of therapy. Information that impacts treatment or trust will be addressed in session in a thoughtful and supportive way, with care for timing and emotional safety.
Additionally, couples counseling is a collaborative process and requires both partners to participate voluntarily.
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Traditional couples therapy often assumes partners communicate and process emotions in neurotypical ways. For neurodivergent couples, this assumption can unintentionally create misunderstanding.
Our neurodiversity-affirming approach helps partners understand each other’s brains and nervous systems. We slow down communication, clarify language, explicitly teach relational tools, and incorporate sensory and regulation needs into the work. The goal is not to make anyone “more typical,” but to build a relationship that works for your unique wiring.
