Does it seem like you and your partner just cannot agree on anything? Are you frustrated by your current patterns of communication — the same argument on repeat, with no real resolution in sight?
You might not be sleeping as well as you used to, because your mind keeps churning over your last argument with your partner. Or maybe you and your partner have stopped being intimate, and you feel like you have lost the connection you once had. At this point, you just feel exhausted and frustrated by your relationship.
Right now, you probably wish you could get back to what it was like in the beginning — when things felt simple, healthy, and fun. You want help rekindling what you once had.
The good news: your relationship is not doomed. Most people struggle in their relationships at some point or another. Working through these issues is possible and attainable — and with the right support, it happens faster than you think.
At Be Your Best Self & Thrive Counseling in St. Petersburg, FL, we work with couples who are ready to stop going in circles and start actually changing something. Our approach is holistic, evidence-based, and built around the belief that most relationships are worth fighting for.
Signs Couples Counseling Might Be Right for You
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The same argument keeps happening with no real resolution
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You feel more like roommates than partners
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One or both of you shuts down or explodes during conflict
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You have stopped being physically or emotionally intimate
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Trust has been broken and you are not sure how to rebuild it
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A major life change — a new baby, a job loss, a move, an illness — has put enormous strain on the relationship
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You are taking your partner's words as personal attacks and turning the pain inward
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You communicate in ways that always seem to end in hurt, even when that is not what either of you intends
Couples counseling is not just for relationships in crisis. Some of the most meaningful work we do is with couples who want to invest in their relationship before things fall apart.
Your Past Experiences Can Make Healthy Relationships Feel Impossible
Many people struggle with problems in their relationships. It can be hard for two people to reach healthy compromises that allow both partners' needs to be met — and the way we are socialized does not make healthy communication second-nature.
The examples of relationships we see in our families and in the media do not always teach us how to form and maintain healthy connections. You may find that you communicate with your partner in similar ways to how you communicated in your family growing up — and that pattern may not be working for you anymore. You may have learned to place others' needs above your own, which can lead to feelings of resentment. Or maybe you learned to ignore issues in relationships, holding onto that resentment until it comes out in ways that hurt both of you.
At Be Your Best Self & Thrive Counseling, we will help you get to the roots of your relationship issues so that together, we can rebuild a strong foundation and help you cultivate a more nourishing relationship.
How We Help — A Holistic Approach to Couples Counseling
Without the help of a trained couples therapist, it can be difficult to work through relationship issues on your own. Those in your life will likely offer a biased perspective — having someone look at your situation nonjudgmentally and without bias is what will help you and your partner determine how to best move forward.
Our couples therapists use both the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help you and your partner learn the skills you need to diffuse verbal conflict, repair from past hurts, and find new ways of reconnecting. We believe in the power of self-awareness in driving positive change — rather than focusing on just one argument, we help you understand how you interact with your partner based on each of your internal belief systems and narratives.
We also incorporate Eastern medicine approaches such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and meditation — tools that allow you to calm your nervous system so you are better able to regulate your emotions and less likely to lash out in anger or distress. And we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you identify the unhelpful thoughts you may have about your partner, yourself, and your relationship.
Because your issues involve both of you, having both partners in session is an important part of the process. We find that this comprehensive, holistic approach helps couples cultivate intimacy and communicate more openly and effectively — nourishing your mind, body, and spirit.
Meet Our Couples Therapists in St. Petersburg
Jessica DeLeo RMHCI – Couples Therapy and Neurodivergent Therapist
Jessica DeLeo, M.A. works with couples navigating communication breakdown, disconnection, and the everyday complexity of building a life together.
Trained in Gottman Levels 1 and 2, Jessica brings warmth, structure, and a holistic lens to couples work. She is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Certified Holistic Health Coach — and brings that whole-person awareness into every session.
Pricing: $180 (75/90 min) ·
Currently accepting new clients
Jamie Molnar, LMHC, RYT, QS - High Conflict Couples Therapy
Jamie Molnar is the founder and clinical director of BYBS and one of the most experienced couples therapists in Tampa Bay.
With over 20 years of experience and Gottman Level 2 training, Jamie specializes in high-conflict couples and relationships recovering from significant betrayal or long-standing patterns. Her approach weaves Gottman, EFT, Yoga Psychology, and Jungian depth work into a uniquely holistic form of couples therapy — featured in DatingNews for exactly this combination.
Pricing: $155 (50 min) · $225 (90 min)
Currently on a waitlist
What to Expect in Couples Counseling at BYBS
Your First Session We start by getting to know both of you — not just the presenting conflict, but your history, your strengths, and what each of you is hoping for. Both partners will have space to share. There is no taking sides here, and there is no pressure to have it all figured out before you arrive.
Ongoing Sessions Sessions are 75 to 90 minutes for couples — longer than standard therapy because meaningful relationship work takes time. You will leave each session with concrete tools and things to practice together between appointments.
How Long Does It Take? Every relationship is different, and we honor that completely. Some couples feel real shifts within 8 to 12 sessions. Others work longer, especially when rebuilding after significant hurt. We will check in on progress regularly and always be honest with you about what we think will help most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Counseling
What if my partner is not willing to come to couples counseling?
Going to couples counseling might feel daunting to both you and your partner. Remind your partner gently of why you want to go and what you hope it could create. If they are still unwilling, we encourage you to engage in individual therapy to learn the skills you need to navigate the challenges in your relationship. You can also reach out to us — we can help you think through how to approach the conversation.
Will the therapist take sides?
Never. Trained couples therapists do not take sides or pick favorites. Your therapist will help both partners recognize their individual roles in relationship patterns and will remain unbiased and nonjudgmental throughout.
Does going to therapy mean we are too weak to work it out on our own?
Absolutely not — it takes incredible strength to admit you are struggling and to do something about it. Even having the conversation with your partner about trying counseling shows courage. The skills you build in couples therapy will help you and your partner grow closer and stronger for years to come.
Do you offer pre-marital counseling?
Yes! Gottman is an excellent fit for pre-marital counseling. Building these skills before marriage is one of the highest-leverage investments a couple can make.
Do you offer online couples counseling in Florida?
Yes. Both therapists offer secure telehealth sessions to couples throughout Florida — ideal for busy schedules or clients who live outside the St. Petersburg area.
What does couples counseling cost in St. Petersburg?
Sessions with Jessica DeLeo are $180 for 75 to 90 minutes. Sessions with Jamie Molnar are $155 for 50 minutes and $225 for 90 minutes. We are out-of-network and can provide superbills for insurance reimbursement. HSA and FSA cards accepted.
We Work With All Couples
Be Your Best Self & Thrive is a proud LGBTQ+ affirming practice. We warmly welcome couples of all identities, orientations, and relationship structures. Every couple deserves a safe, judgment-free space to do this work — and that is what we offer here.
Let Us Help You Foster a Peaceful, Nourishing Relationship
You are worthy of having healthy, happy relationships. Allow the Be Your Best Self & Thrive Counseling team to equip you with the tools to cultivate healthy, happy connections that nourish your mind, body, and spirit.
