Couples Counseling
in Washington DC & Maryland
Compassionate, Inclusive, and Affirming Care for Relationships. Serving couples in Washington DC, Bethesda and throughout Maryland and Virginia — in person and via telehealth.
At Arbit Center, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and affirming couples therapy services designed to support the health and growth of your relationship. We understand that every partnership is unique, and meaningful change requires a thoughtful, collaborative, and emotionally attuned approach.
Expert couples counseling
Our services, with Ieisha Dale and Rhonda Lehman, include in-person and virtual care throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas.
Our work with couples integrates evidence-based therapeutic models and with practical tools to improve communication, deepen understanding, and strengthen connection. Whether you are navigating conflict, rebuilding trust, facing life transitions, or simply seeking to enhance your relationship, we provide a supportive space to explore challenges and foster growth together.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where couples of all gender identities, sexual orientations, relationship structures, and cultural backgrounds feel respected and affirmed. Our approach centers on helping partners feel heard, valued, and empowered while working toward greater intimacy, clarity, and mutual support.
Through this process, couples can develop healthier patterns, reconnect with shared values, and build a more resilient and fulfilling relationship.
Areas of Focus in
Couples Counseling
Communication
Intimacy
Conflict Resolution
Connection
Trust
Relationship Healing
Our Relationship-Centered Approach
Our work is grounded in understanding the unique dynamic between you and your partner—your shared experiences, individual perspectives, strengths, and challenges. We collaborate closely with both of you to create a tailored plan that supports not only the relationship as a whole but also each partner’s emotional well-being.
Partner With Us to Strengthen Your Relationship
At Arbit Center, you are partnering with a dedicated support system committed to helping both partners feel heard, respected, and connected. By choosing our expert couples therapy services, you are taking a meaningful step toward deeper understanding, stronger communication, and a more fulfilling partnership.
For psychiatric support alongside couples work, learn about our adult psychiatry services."
The consult is free.
Ieisha Dale, LMFT
Ieisha Dale is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 10 years of experience and brings a warm, relational, and culturally attuned approach to her work with couples. Her practice is trauma-informed and sex-positive, and she has a strong ability to work with high-conflict clients, couples discerning whether to stay together, individuals navigating intergenerational trauma, and those within BIPOC communities.
Ieisha integrates Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy techniques and is also trained in Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST), a solution-focused approach that considers the socio-emotional frameworks affecting individuals and relational systems, offering targeted support through a culturally informed and inclusive lens.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Couples Counseling
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Couples therapy is a collaborative process designed to help partners improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen their connection. It provides a structured, supportive space to better understand each other’s needs, patterns, and emotional experiences while working toward a healthier, more fulfilling relationship.
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Not at all. Many couples seek therapy proactively to strengthen their relationship, improve communication, or navigate life transitions. Therapy can be just as valuable for growth and prevention as it is for addressing challenges.
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Couples therapy can support a wide range of concerns, including:
Communication difficulties
Recurring arguments or unresolved conflict
Emotional distance or disconnection
Infidelity or breaches of trust
Life transitions (marriage, parenting, relocation, uncoupling, divorce, etc.)
Premarital counseling, marriage counseling, relationship therapy
Differences in values, goals, or expectations
Intimacy concerns
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Sessions provide a balanced and respectful space where both partners can share openly. Your therapist will guide conversations, help identify patterns, and introduce tools to improve communication and connection. The goal is not to assign blame, but to foster understanding and meaningful change.
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No. The therapist’s role is to support the relationship as a whole. While each partner’s perspective is valued and explored, the focus remains on understanding patterns and helping both individuals feel heard and respected.
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The length of therapy varies depending on your goals and the complexity of the concerns you’re addressing. Some couples benefit from short-term work, while others choose ongoing support for deeper or more complex issues.
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It’s common for one partner to feel unsure at first. You can start by having an open conversation about your goals and why therapy feels important to you. In some cases, beginning with an individual session can help ease the transition into joint work.
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Yes. We are committed to providing inclusive, affirming care for couples of all gender identities, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds, and relationship structures. We also specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, BIPOC communities, and neurodivergent individuals, ensuring care that is culturally responsive, identity-affirming, and attuned to diverse lived experiences.
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Yes. Therapy is a confidential space. Your therapist will review confidentiality policies with you at the start, including how information is handled within couples work.
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Yes. We offer both in-person and virtual sessions to provide flexible, accessible care based on your needs and preferences.
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We do not accept insurance directly. However, we provide a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, depending on your out-of-network benefits. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to better understand your coverage and eligibility for reimbursement.
