Mike Keaveny, Psy.D.

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Relationship Therapy (Couples)

Mike Keaveny, Psy.D.

Relationships can be deeply rewarding, but they can also be deeply painful when things aren’t working. Many people come to therapy because they feel stuck in the same arguments, unable to resolve the issues that keep coming back. You may love your partner, but the fights, miscommunications, and distance feel overwhelming. Or perhaps things are “fine” on the surface, but you want to strengthen your connection before problems grow larger.

Common struggles include constant conflict, difficulty communicating, sexual or intimacy challenges, changes in values or priorities, or a sense that the love and respect you once felt has shifted in unsettling ways. Sometimes it’s sadness and worry about whether the relationship will last; other times it’s frustration at feeling unheard or unappreciated. Whatever the specifics, the goal is usually the same: you want to understand each other better and build a relationship that feels safe, connected, and fulfilling.

And while many people come in as couples, I also work with people in non-traditional relationships, including those with multiple partners. The heart of the work is the same: creating stronger, healthier, more intentional connections.

An ACT Approach to Healing

My approach is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which provides a flexible and compassionate framework for working on relationships. ACT focuses on helping each person notice what gets in the way of connection and then take steps that align with the values you want to bring into your partnership(s).

Values – We’ll explore what matters most to each of you in your relationship, so you’re not just fighting about surface issues but reconnecting with shared meaning.
Acceptance – Hard feelings and differences are inevitable. Therapy helps you sit with discomfort without letting it take over or derail the relationship.
Present Moment Awareness – When arguments escalate, people often stop really listening. Mindful attention helps you slow down and stay connected, even in conflict.
Cognitive Defusion (Thought Distancing)– Thoughts like “You never listen to me” or “This will never change” can dominate. We’ll practice seeing these as thoughts, not truths, so you can respond more flexibly.
Self-as-Context (Identity) – When stress runs high, it’s easy to lose sight of each other. We’ll work on seeing yourselves and each other more fully, so connection isn’t drowned out by conflict.
Committed Action – Lasting change means trying new patterns. We’ll work on building habits of communication, intimacy, and collaboration that fit the life you want together.

What to Expect in Session

Relationship therapy with me is collaborative and active. We’ll take time to explore the aspects of your relationship that feel stuck, disconnected, or in need of strengthening, and use those to guide our work together. My role isn’t just to sit back while you argue, but to help slow things down, redirect when needed, and create space for healthier ways of connecting. Sometimes that means processing difficult emotions; other times it means practicing new communication patterns right there in the room. I’ll also offer strategies to try between sessions so you can keep building momentum at home.

I also know intimacy and sexuality can be hard topics to bring up. I work to create an environment where these conversations can happen safely, using the language that feels right for you, and helping you explore ways to strengthen both emotional and physical closeness.

I Don't Take Sides

A lot of people worry that relationship therapy will turn into the therapist blaming one partner for all the problems. That’s not how I work. I see relationships as complex systems where both people (or all partners) play a role in the patterns that develop. I make sure everyone has a voice, and no one is singled out as “the problem.”

That doesn’t mean I won’t point things out if I see a pattern that’s hurting the relationship. But I won’t let the process become one-sided or shaming. Instead, we’ll look together at how each person contributes and what can change to create more respect, understanding, and connection.

Creating the Future You Deserve Together

What I want for you is a relationship where you feel close again — where you can laugh together, enjoy time without tension, and know that you’re supported and cared for. A relationship where you feel safe to be yourself, where your voice matters, and where love feels steady and alive.

In our work, you and your partner(s) can rebuild connection and create new ways of being together. It’s about finding joy in the everyday moments, learning how to lean on each other when life is hard, and making space for intimacy, play, and affection.

My goal is to help you shape a relationship that feels fulfilling, compassionate, and lasting — one where you can dream together, grow together, and share a life that feels good to come home to.