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ONLINE COUPLES, FAMILY & INDIVIDUAL THERAPY IN CALIFORNIA
Psychology Today Verified Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist · AMFT #159153

Love Gets Better on Purpose.

Online couples therapy for California partners who want to protect what is strong, strengthen what feels less dependable, and build relationships that keep getting better. Family and individual therapy are also offered—all through secure telehealth across California.

Couples therapy is the central focus of my practice, helping partners understand repeating cycles, de-escalate conflict, and build lasting connection. I also work with families navigating parent–teen dynamics and individuals working through anxiety, trauma, and major transitions. Every session is held via secure telehealth for clients located anywhere in California.

Request a Free 15-Minute Consultation Take the Relationship Assessment

California telehealth · Couples, family, and individual therapy · Insurance and private pay

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California Telehealth Services

Dedicated Clinical Care for Couples, Families & Individuals

Couples therapy is the central focus of my practice, with dedicated family therapy and individual psychotherapy also provided throughout California.

Primary Clinical Focus

Couples Therapy

Slow down repeating conflict cycles, rebuild trust after disconnection or betrayal, and practice communication habits that keep your relationship dependable and strong.

  • • Gottman Method Level 1 & 2 informed
  • • De-escalating circular arguments
  • • Premarital & transition counseling
Read about couples therapy →
Parents, Teens & Blended Families

Family Therapy

Untangle household tension, bridge parent–teen communication gaps, establish firm and compassionate boundaries, and heal strained generational relationships.

  • • Parent–adolescent communication
  • • Blended family integration
  • • Generational boundary setting
Read about family therapy →
One-on-One Psychotherapy

Individual Therapy

Thoughtful, evidence-informed therapy for adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, creative burnout, recovery, grief, or major life transitions.

  • • Anxiety & stress management
  • • Narrative & depth perspectives
  • • Burnout, grief & life pivots
Read about individual therapy →
Request a Free 15-Minute Consultation
How I Work

Evidence for Direction. Tools for Daily Life.

Every relationship is different, but recurring patterns can be understood and changed. My work is informed by Gottman Method principles, family-systems thinking, Narrative Therapy, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and relational approaches. We translate insight into specific ways of listening, repairing, setting boundaries, and reconnecting.

Clear Clinical Process

What to Expect: From First Call to First Session

Starting therapy should not feel ambiguous or intimidating. Here is how we begin our work together.

Step 01

Zero pressure · Explore fit

Free 15-Minute Consultation

We meet by video or phone to discuss what you are seeking and determine if my clinical approach aligns with your goals. You can ask direct questions about scheduling, fees, or therapy structure before making any financial commitment.

Step 02

Confidential paperwork · Mapping history

Intake & Clinical Assessment

Before our first full meeting, you complete secure electronic intake forms through our HIPAA-compliant portal. In conjoint work, we map out recurring conflict patterns, personal histories, and relationship dynamics so we can hit the ground running.

Step 03

50-minute clinical session · Actionable tools

First Full Session & Active Practice

In our first session, we examine your goals in depth, slow down typical arguments, and identify what each person is protecting. Rather than just venting, you leave with concrete communication frameworks to practice in daily life.

Clinical Fit & Transparency

Is This Therapy a Good Fit for You?

Therapy works best when client needs match clinical specialization. Setting honest expectations early protects your time, resources, and emotional safety.

Who I Work Best With

  • Committed Partners: Couples who want to de-escalate repeating arguments, protect their relationship, rebuild trust, or strengthen intimacy.
  • Proactive Couples: Partners entering marriage, becoming parents, or seeking to communicate effectively before resentments build.
  • Families & Parents: Households navigating parent–teen communication breakdowns, blended-family dynamics, and generational boundaries.
  • Motivated Individuals: Adults navigating anxiety, burnout, relationship strain, grief, recovery, or major life transitions who value structured insight.

When I Refer Out

  • Active Intimate Partner Violence: Relationships where physical aggression, fear of retaliation, or coercive control are present require individual safety planning first.
  • Undisclosed Ongoing Affairs: Conjoint couples therapy requires transparency to be effective; secret ongoing infidelity undermines therapeutic safety.
  • Destabilized Substance Dependency: Severe, untreated chemical dependency requires medical detox, residential treatment, or intensive outpatient care prior to couples work.
  • Acute Psychiatric Emergencies: Active psychosis, severe mania, or acute suicidal ideation require emergency psychiatric intervention rather than outpatient telehealth.

Clinical Safety Screening: During your free 15-minute consultation and initial intake, we conduct a safety and clinical-fit screening. If outpatient telehealth is not the most clinically appropriate level of care for your circumstances, I will provide qualified referrals to specialized practitioners, in-person clinics, or community resources.

Emergency Note: If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening mental health crisis, active suicidal ideation, or a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately or call/text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

About Alex

Therapy for Real Relationships

I hold a Master's in Clinical Psychology with an MFT emphasis and have completed Level 1 & 2 clinical training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. My clinical work is grounded in family systems theory and narrative perspective, informed by a prior career in writing and high-expectation professional environments.

My approach is active, collaborative, and warm. I don't sit in silence or act as a passive referee, nor do I assign blame. Instead, I help you slow down conversations in real time, map the repetitive patterns underneath your arguments, and practice actionable communication frameworks you can carry outside the room.

I work best with couples who are motivated to understand their relational dance, partners who want to strengthen their bond before resentment builds, parents striving for mutual respect with their teens, and individuals seeking structured, depth-oriented growth.

Affirming, Responsive Care: Therapy is explicitly LGBTQIA+ affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, and culturally responsive. Every identity, relationship structure, and personal background is welcomed with deep respect, safety, and care.

Financial Transparency

Fees & Insurance Summary

Transparent pricing, accepted insurance plans through Integrated Therapy and Recovery Inc., and clear out-of-network superbill options.

Session Rates

Couples & Family Therapy

Conjoint 50-minute session

$175 / session

Individual Psychotherapy

Individual 50-minute session

$150 / session
Read about fees & private pay →

Insurance & Superbills

Alex provides care through Integrated Therapy and Recovery Inc. In-network billing is available for Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Blue Shield of California, TRICARE West, and TriWest. Benefits and conjoint medical necessity must be verified prior to treatment. Superbills are available for out-of-network reimbursement.

View full insurance & superbill details →
Right to a Good Faith Estimate (No Surprises Act): Under federal law, self-pay and uninsured healthcare clients have the right to receive an estimate of expected charges before scheduling services.
Read Full GFE Notice →
Telehealth Throughout California

Where I Work: Serving All California Communities

Available to California residents via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth. Because sessions are conducted 100% via telehealth, you can attend couples, family, or individual therapy from the comfort and privacy of your home or private office.

Los Angeles & Southern California

Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Long Beach, South Bay, San Fernando Valley, Glendale

Orange County

Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach

San Diego County

San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Chula Vista, Coronado

San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Silicon Valley, Marin County, Palo Alto

Sacramento & Northern California

Sacramento, Roseville, Davis, Folsom, Chico, Tahoe & Sierra Foothills

Central Coast & Central Valley

Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Fresno, Bakersfield, Modesto

Telehealth Legal Requirement: In accordance with California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) licensing regulations, all clients participating in telehealth psychotherapy sessions must be physically located within the state of California at the time of each session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers & Clarity

Everything you need to know about the couples therapy process, insurance, telehealth, and clinical boundaries.

What happens in couples therapy? ▾
We slow down repeating arguments and map the emotional cycle underneath your conflict. Sessions focus on identifying what each partner is trying to protect, practicing clear communication tools, and repairing after moments of disconnection. You will leave with actionable strategies you can practice together between sessions.
Will you take sides? ▾
My role is not to judge, assign blame, or declare one partner the winner. I pay close attention to the relational pattern, each person's emotional reality, and personal accountability. My goal is to create a balanced, respectful container where both partners feel heard, challenged, and supported.
Can we use insurance? ▾
Insurance may cover couples or family sessions only when care is deemed medically necessary to treat a diagnosable mental health condition for an identified client. General relationship enhancement, communication coaching, or distress without a qualifying diagnosis is typically not reimbursable under commercial health plans. Our employer, Integrated Therapy and Recovery Inc., can help verify your specific insurance benefits before your initial session.
What if my partner is reluctant? ▾
Reluctance is very common and completely understandable. Many partners worry therapy will become an ambush where they are blamed or pressured into agreements they do not want. The free 15-minute consultation offers a low-pressure way for both of you to ask questions, explore my approach, and see if working together feels safe and balanced.
Do you work with couples who are not in crisis? ▾
Yes, many couples seek therapy proactively before severe resentment or distress develops. Pre-marital counseling, navigating life transitions like new parenthood, or simply wanting to communicate more effectively are excellent reasons to start. Couples therapy can be a conscious investment in protecting and deepening what already works well.
When might couples therapy be inappropriate? ▾
Couples therapy is not clinically appropriate when there is active physical violence, coercive control, severe emotional intimidation, or an ongoing undisclosed affair. It is also not suitable if one partner is experiencing an unmanaged acute psychiatric crisis or severe substance dependency. In those circumstances, individual safety planning, specialized addiction treatment, or personal therapy must take priority.
Do you provide telehealth throughout California? ▾
Yes, all therapy sessions are provided 100% via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth to clients located anywhere in California. In accordance with state licensing board requirements, clients must be physically located within the state of California during their appointment. You only need a private room and a stable internet connection with video capability.
What is your professional status and who supervises your work? ▾
Alexander Emile Marshi, MA, is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #159153) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Clinical services are provided through Integrated Therapy and Recovery Inc. All clinical work is supervised by Alex Lerza, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
How much does therapy cost? ▾
Private-pay rates are $175 per 50-minute session for couples and family therapy, and $150 per 50-minute session for individual psychotherapy. In-network insurance billing may also be available for qualifying plans through Integrated Therapy and Recovery Inc. Clients paying out-of-pocket have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act.
Is the relationship assessment a clinical test? ▾
The online relationship assessment is an educational reflection tool designed to spark constructive dialogue. It is informed by empirical relationship research but is not a clinical diagnosis, psychological test, or predictor of relationship longevity. It is intended to help you and your partner identify themes worth discussing together or bringing into therapy.
Direct Inquiries

Private, Thoughtful Communication

The preferred way to request a consultation is through Integrated Therapy and Recovery's ClientSecure portal. Email, voicemail, and text may be used for brief administrative contact, but no communication channel can be guaranteed completely secure. Please avoid including diagnoses, trauma histories, safety plans, or other sensitive clinical information in an initial message.

ClientSecure Portal

Book Online

Consultation Request →

Direct Phone

(310) 773-0761

Call Alex →

Direct Email

alex@alexmarshi.com

Email Question →

Direct SMS

(310) 773-0761

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No Therapist–Client Relationship Formed: Visiting this website, contacting Alex by phone/email/text, or taking the relationship assessment does not constitute a therapist–client relationship. Psychotherapy services begin only following a formal intake, informed consent, clinical-fit review, and mutual written agreement through Integrated Therapy and Recovery Inc.

Emergency Note: If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening mental health crisis, active suicidal ideation, or a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately or call/text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

You Do Not Have to Wait Until the Relationship Is Falling Apart.

Whether you are seeking couples counseling, navigating family transitions, or looking for individual psychotherapy, the first step is a brief consultation to explore your goals and determine if the work may be a good fit.

Request a Free 15-Minute Consultation