Couples & Family Therapy in Hermosa Beach
Most couples and families don't come in because of one big fight. They come because the same argument keeps happening, or because everyone has gone quiet, and nothing they try changes it. Therapy gives you a place to look at what's actually going on instead of repeating it.
Who I work with
I work with couples and families, including kids and teens in sessions with their parents or guardians, in Hermosa Beach and throughout the South Bay, in person or online. Common reasons people reach out:
Arguments that keep repeating
Communication that has broken down or gone silent
Fear of commitment, or one partner with one foot out the door
Rebuilding trust after a breach
Big transitions: moving in together, marriage, a new baby, a move, a loss
Sobriety and recovery affecting the relationship or the family
Conflict between family members, including parents, kids, teens, and adult children
Why a male therapist
Most couples and families include at least one man, and men are often the most reluctant to come in. I've spent years working mostly with men, so I understand how they tend to think, cope, and communicate, and how easily that gets read as not caring.
That doesn't mean I take his side. It means I can help the men in your relationship say what they actually feel, and help everyone else hear it, without anyone getting lectured. Whatever shape your family takes, my job is to make sure everyone in the room is understood.
My approach
I draw on attachment theory, which looks at how we learned to connect, protect ourselves, and ask for what we need. Many couples get stuck in the same pattern: one person pursues, the other withdraws, and both end up feeling alone.
I know that pattern from the inside. I spent years with one foot out the door in relationships, and I've done the work to change it. That means I can be direct without taking sides. My approach is psychodynamic at its core, with tools from other approaches when they help.
What to expect
We start with a free 20-minute consultation to see whether we're a good fit. You can come together or just one of you, and for families, parents can start on their own. After that, we'll set up a regular schedule that works, in person in Hermosa Beach or online.
You don't have to arrive ready. Most people come in somewhere between stuck and fed up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we both have to come?
It's best if everyone comes, but it isn't required to start. If your partner or family isn't ready, we can begin with you. Changing how you show up can shift how the whole relationship runs.
Do you work with kids and teens?
Yes, I work with kids and teens both individually and in family therapy.
What if we're not sure we want to stay together?
That's a legitimate reason to come. Some people come to repair a relationship and some come to figure out what they want. I won't push you either way.
Is couples therapy right for us if there's abuse or violence?
Not as a starting point, because it can put someone at risk. If that's your situation, individual support and safety planning come first. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org) can help, and in an emergency, call 911.
Ethan Furman, Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, AMFT #163220. Supervised by Ron Glick, PSY17719.
If you're in crisis, call or text 988.
