Business Details
44 Years
experience
Your Trusted Santa Cruz Marriage & Couples Therapist
Santa Cruz Marriage, Couples, and Individual Counseling has been dedicated to helping individuals and couples build stronger, more fulfilling relationships since 1982. Our founder, Mara Alverson, brings over four decades of specialized experience in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a scientifically validated approach to couples therapy developed by Dr. Sue Johnson. We prioritize creating a safe, confidential environment where clients can explore emotional barriers and develop tools for deeper connection. Our practice combines advanced certifications in EFT with a masters degree in Transpersonal Psychology, ensuring a holistic understanding of human bonding.We emphasize personalized care, encouraging client feedback throughout the therapeutic process to ensure alignment with individual needs. Our success is rooted in a proven methodology that has transformed countless relationships, fostering emotional security, improved communication, and lasting intimacy. We are committed to ethical practice, transparency, and empowering clients to achieve the relationships they desire.
Services
Marriage Counseling
Couples Therapy
Individual Counseling
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Relationship Communication Coaching
Conflict Resolution
Intimacy Building
Parenting Support
Anxiety and Depression Counseling
Rebuilding Trust After Affairs
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of experience in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
- Our practice is grounded in scientifically validated methods with proven success rates.
- We provide personalized, feedback-driven counseling tailored to client needs.
- We specialize in transforming relationships through emotional safety and attachment.
- We emphasize confidentiality, ethical practice, and client empowerment.
Associations and certifications
- Emotionally Focused Therapy Certification
Services
Marriage Counseling
Marriage Counseling focuses on resolving conflicts, improving communication, and rebuilding emotional intimacy. Our evidence-based approach helps couples identify negative patterns and replace them with constructive behaviors, fostering long-term relational satisfaction and mutual understanding.
Couples Therapy
Couples Therapy addresses emotional disconnection, recurring arguments, and intimacy challenges using Emotionally Focused Therapy. This method creates a safe space for partners to explore vulnerabilities, strengthen attachment, and develop strategies for sustained relational harmony and mutual support.
Individual Counseling
Individual Counseling supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, or relationship-related stress. By addressing personal emotional barriers and attachment needs, we help individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and healthier interpersonal dynamics in both personal and professional contexts.
Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a structured approach to couples therapy that prioritizes emotional safety and secure attachment. By addressing underlying emotional triggers and fostering empathetic communication, EFT helps couples break destructive cycles and build deeper, more fulfilling connections.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict Resolution services teach couples to navigate disagreements constructively. Through tailored strategies, we help partners express needs clearly, listen actively, and collaborate on solutions that reduce tension and promote mutual respect and understanding.
People
Mara Alverson
Marriage & Family Therapist
Mara Alverson is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 40 years of experience in Emotionally Focused Therapy. She holds certifications in EFT for couples and individuals and a masters degree in Transpersonal Psychology. Mara specializes in helping clients achieve emotional security and relational growth through evidence-based, compassionate care.
Questions
What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)?
EFT is a structured approach to couples therapy that prioritizes emotional safety and secure attachment. It helps partners identify negative interaction patterns, express vulnerabilities, and foster empathy to build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.
How long does counseling typically last?
Most clients complete therapy in 12-20 sessions, with weekly 50-minute meetings. Progress varies based on individual needs, but Emotionally Focused Therapy’s structured approach ensures measurable improvements within a few months for most couples.
What issues can couples therapy address?
Couples therapy addresses communication breakdowns, recurring arguments, emotional distance, intimacy challenges, parenting conflicts, and infidelity recovery. Our focus on emotional safety helps partners rebuild trust and strengthen their connection.
Is counseling confidential?
Yes, all sessions are strictly confidential. We adhere to ethical guidelines and legal requirements to protect client privacy, ensuring a safe space for open, honest dialogue without fear of judgment or disclosure.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes, we provide a 15-minute free phone consultation to discuss your needs, answer questions, and determine if our therapy approach aligns with your goals before scheduling regular sessions.
