Serving the Coachella Valley & Online throughout California.
Therapy for ‘what happens between us.’
For couples + families who love each other deeply but keep getting caught in the same patterns.
Less blame. More understanding. A different way forward.
Somehow, you keep ending up here.
You love each other. You know there’s more to your relationship than the hard moments. And yet, somehow, you keep finding yourselves in the same place.
One of you gets louder. The other gets quieter. Someone explains. Someone defends. You try to fix it. They hear criticism. You reach for connection and somehow end up farther apart.
It might look like you’re fighting about the dishes, the in-laws, sex, parenting, money, or who’s carrying more.
But the argument is rarely just about the argument.
Underneath it, there’s usually something else happening, a nervous system bracing for rejection, a body preparing to defend itself, an old strategy for staying safe, or a need that hasn’t quite found the words yet.
That’s the part I’m interested in.
Because the goal isn’t to decide who’s right.
It’s to understand what keeps happening between you and help you create something different there.
Maybe the problem isn’t either of you.
Maybe it’s the pattern you’ve gotten caught in.
Let’s figure it out together.
Your body usually knows before you do.
Before the argument becomes an argument, something has already happened.
A change in tone. A look. A pause that lasts a little too long. Your partner says something completely ordinary, and suddenly, your body is preparing for something that feels anything but ordinary.
You tense. You explain. You shut down. You get louder. You fix. You leave. You reach harder.
Not because you're trying to make things worse.
Because somewhere along the way, your nervous system learned how to protect you.
The problem is, the strategies that once helped you feel safe can make it pretty hard to feel close.
This is where our work gets interesting.
Together, we'll slow the pattern down enough to notice what's happening underneath it, in your body, your history, and the space between you, so you have more choice in what happens next.
Different relationships. Same human stuff.
Relationships get complicated.
Sometimes it’s the person you chose. Sometimes it’s the family you came from. Sometimes it’s the family you’re trying to build.
The details may look different, but underneath, we’re often working with the same things: how you protect yourself, how you reach for connection, what happens when you don’t feel understood, and the patterns you fall into when something important feels at stake.
Couples
For couples who still care deeply about each other but are tired of having versions of the same conversation.
We’ll work with the pattern between you, not pick a side, so you can understand what’s happening underneath the reactions, communicate from a different place, and find your way back to each other.
Families
Families have patterns, too.
Whether you’re navigating parent-child tension, adult family relationships, changing roles, boundaries, or a season that has shifted the whole family dynamic, we’ll look at what each person is carrying and what keeps happening between you.
The goal isn’t a perfectly harmonious family.
It’s more room for everyone to be human and still stay connected.
Hi, I’m Sophie
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | Coachella Valley & Online Across California
I’m less interested in deciding who’s right and more interested in getting curious about what happens between you.
My work is relational, intuitive, and body-aware. We’ll pay attention not only to what you’re saying, but to the moments you tense, shut down, over-explain, reach, retreat, or suddenly find yourselves right back in the same familiar place.
Because sometimes your body knows what’s happening before you have words for it.
When we see the pattern together, you have more choice in what happens next.
Let’s see if we are a good fit.
Want to know more about me? Read my story →
Ready to see what happens next?
Starting therapy doesn’t need to be another thing to overthink.
We’ll start with a brief consultation to talk about what’s been happening, what you’re hoping could feel different, and whether working together feels like the right fit.
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We will connect by phone or Zoom for a brief conversation about what’s bringing you in, what you’re looking for, and whether working together feels like a good fit.
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If we deicide to move forward, I’ll get you set up in the SimplePractice client portal, where you’ll complete your intake paperwork and have everything you need for our work together.
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You don’t need to have a problem perfectly articulated or even agree on exactly what the problem is. That’s part of the work.
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Therapy isn’t a linear checklist; it’s a living process that adapts to your actual life. As your needs shift, whether you’re in a season of transition or a week of pure survival, our work adjusts with you. We’ll focus on building steady, sustainable ways of responding to stress, always leaving plenty of room for real life, not perfection.
In-Person Therapy in Coachella Valley & Online Across California
Support that meets you where you are… literally.
Whether you’re local to Palm Desert or logging in from your kitchen floor between feedings, after a long workday, or during a season of transition, therapy at Haven Wellness is designed to fit into real life, not compete with it.
Online therapy across California
No commuting. No childcare scramble. No rushing in and out.
Just steady support from wherever you can catch a quiet moment.
In-person sessions in Palm Desert
If face-to-face connection feels important to you, I offer weekly in-person sessions at:
One El Paseo Plaza
74-225 Hwy 111, Suite C
Palm Desert, CA 92260
It’s a calm, grounding space for parents, parents-to-be, couples, and adults navigating stress, relationship changes, family building, and major life transitions.
Serving clients in Palm Desert, Palm Springs, La Quinta, Indio, Rancho Mirage, and the entire Coachella Valley, with online therapy available anywhere in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I am an out-of-network provider and do not accept insurance directly. Many clients choose to use their out-of-network benefits, and I’m happy to provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
If you have questions about cost or coverage, we can talk through that during the free consultation.
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Yes. I offer secure online therapy to clients anywhere in California.
Online sessions allow for flexibility and consistency, especially during busy or transitional seasons. Many people find it helpful to receive support from a familiar, comfortable space
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I work with individuals and couples.
This includes parents, parents-to-be, couples navigating relationship transitions, and adults carrying long-term stress, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm. We’ll talk together about what kind of support feels most helpful for you.
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Yes. I work with LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and families, including those navigating family building, parenting, adoption, donor conception, and relationship transitions.
My work is affirming, inclusive, and grounded in respect for each family’s lived experience.Absolutely. Haven Wellness is fully affirming. I work often with queer parents, donor-conceived families, and two-mom or two-dad family systems, offering support that honors your identity and lived experience.
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In some cases, yes, especially during pregnancy or early postpartum.
We can talk together about what feels supportive and practical, and make a plan that prioritizes both your needs and the therapeutic space.
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Yes. While my primary focus is supporting parents and parents-to-be, I do offer therapy for young children as well as parent-child support to help you understand and respond to your child’s emotional needs and behaviors.
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That depends on your goals, needs, and the season you’re in.
Some people come for short-term support around a specific transition. Others choose longer-term therapy to work through patterns shaped by chronic stress or survival mode. We’ll check in regularly and adjust as needed, there’s no fixed timeline.