1 Make Room for Both Perspectives
Each partner can describe what brings them in, what they hope will change, and what feels difficult to say at home.
(616) 610-9276
890 Washington Ave, Suite 150, Holland, MI 49423890 Washington Ave, Holland
Couples & Relationship Support
Marriage Counseling in Holland, MI
Marriage counseling can give partners a respectful place to understand recurring conflict, communication breakdowns, trust concerns, and changes in connection—without requiring both people to arrive with the same hopes or readiness.
When the Relationship Feels Stuck
Couples often seek counseling when the same conversations keep repeating, distance grows, or a transition changes how partners relate. You do not have to wait until you have a perfect explanation to ask about fit.
Common reasons couples seek support:
- Recurring conflict or conversations that break down
- Feeling distant, stuck, or unheard
- Trust concerns or difficulty repairing connection
- Different hopes or readiness for counseling
- Major life, family, or parenting transitions
- Premarital questions and shared expectations
- Stress affecting communication and closeness
- A desire to build healthier relationship patterns
Counseling is not appropriate for every relationship situation. A consultation can help you discuss the circumstances and consider whether couples counseling, individual counseling, or another support may be a safer or more suitable starting point.
A Collaborative Process
What Couples Counseling Can Include
Your counselor is a guide, not a referee. The work is shaped by the concerns you bring, the clinician's approach, and what feels clinically appropriate for the relationship.
2 Notice Relationship Patterns
Conversations may examine recurring conflict cycles, communication habits, disconnection, and the moments where repair becomes difficult.
3 Choose Practical Next Steps
Early sessions can clarify shared goals and possible next steps without promising a particular outcome or asking either partner to decide everything at once.
Marriage Counselors at Compass
These current Compass providers identify couples, relationship concerns, or premarital counseling among the populations and specialties they serve. Review their profiles, then contact Compass to discuss fit and current appointment options.
Samantha Neddo, LMSW, SSW
Works with couples and families using a compassion-focused, strengths-based approach grounded in listening and practical support.
Hunter Brumels, MDiv, LLMSW
Works with couples, including early marriage challenges, relationship concerns, family transitions, and rebuilding connection.
Kenedy Shelton, LMSW
Works with couples and relationship concerns using grounding, mindfulness, and cognitive approaches.
Sarah Dockery, Counseling Intern
A counseling intern who works with couples and lists premarital counseling, life transitions, and person-centered care among her areas of focus.
Before You Begin
Questions Worth Bringing to a Consultation
A free 15-minute consultation is a practical opportunity to ask about fit, appointment format, payment questions, and what kind of support may make sense for your relationship.
1
Which Provider May Fit?
Ask about each clinician's credentials, experience with couples, documented focus areas, counseling approach, and current appointment options.
2
What Should We Expect First?
Ask how the first appointment is structured, whether both partners attend, and how concerns, goals, and relationship patterns are introduced.
3
How Will Safety Be Considered?
If abuse, coercion, intimidation, or immediate danger is part of the situation, say so directly. Routine couples counseling may not be the appropriate service in every unsafe situation.
4
How Do Fees and Insurance Work?
Ask which plans a potential clinician participates in, what self-pay or out-of-network questions to raise, and which current billing or cancellation policies apply.
A Note on Immediate Safety
If abuse, coercion, or immediate danger is present, contact local emergency services or specialized local support rather than relying on a routine couples counseling appointment.
Choosing a Starting Point
Which Type of Support Fits?
You do not need to choose the exact service before reaching out. This comparison can help you prepare for a consultation.
| Starting point | May fit when | What to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage or couples counseling | The relationship itself, communication, conflict, trust, or connection is the focus. | Whether both partners attend, goals, safety, and clinician fit |
| Individual counseling | One person's concerns need a private setting or a partner is not ready to participate. | Personal goals, relationship context, and whether couples work may also be appropriate |
| Family therapy | Parenting, household changes, or broader family dynamics involve more than the couple relationship. | Who should participate and how family roles affect the concern |
| Online therapy | Location, schedule, or access makes virtual counseling worth considering. | Clinical appropriateness, privacy at home, technology, and Michigan location |
Insurance & Fees
Insurance participation, session fees, and payment options vary by clinician and your plan's benefits. The Compass team can help you identify what to verify before scheduling.
View insurance and financing information →Before You Schedule
Use the consultation to ask about clinician fit, current appointment options, insurance participation, payment, and any current billing or cancellation policies.
Request a ConsultationLearn More
Marriage Counseling FAQs
How do we know whether marriage counseling may fit?
A consultation can explore communication difficulties, recurring conflict, disconnection, trust concerns, or stress related to life transitions without assuming both partners feel equally ready. Compass can then discuss whether couples counseling may fit your concerns and goals.
What happens at the first marriage counseling appointment?
Each partner can explain what brought them to counseling and ask questions. The counselor may begin identifying concerns, relationship patterns, and shared goals while discussing what support may be appropriate.
What qualifications should we ask about?
Ask about credentials, experience with couples, specialties, and counseling approach. Compass can help you consider an appropriate licensed therapist or supervised provider based on your concerns. Credential and supervision requirements vary by provider and jurisdiction, so ask the clinician to explain their current status.
How do insurance and fees work for couples counseling?
Insurance participation, session fees, and payment options vary by clinician and health plan. Contact Compass before scheduling to ask about a potential clinician's participation, current fees, out-of-network questions, and any billing or cancellation policies that apply.
Can marriage counseling help us stay together?
Counseling does not guarantee a particular relationship outcome or continuation. Goals and outcomes vary by the people involved, the concerns being addressed, the counseling approach, and how progress is defined. A consultation can help you discuss fit and what you hope to work on.
What if there is abuse, coercion, or an immediate safety concern?
Routine couples counseling may not be appropriate in every unsafe relationship situation. If abuse, coercion, or immediate danger is present, contact emergency services or specialized local support rather than relying on a routine couples appointment.
Related Support
Compass also offers individual, family, and virtual counseling when another format may better fit your situation.
Get Started Today
A Calm First Conversation
Call (616) 610-9276 or complete the appointment request form for a free 15-minute consultation. We can discuss clinician fit, scheduling, insurance, payment questions, and whether in-person counseling in Holland or Michigan teletherapy may be appropriate.