In-person therapy available at all three of our VA office locations: Fairfax, Virginia Beach, and Newport News!

Counselors in Virginia Beach, VA for couples & families

You don’t need better communication skills. You need conversations that feel safer and actually bring you closer.

For couples and families who are tired of having the same conversations over and over and want something to finally change, our Spiral to Team Process helps you slow conflict down, understand what’s underneath the reactions, and start feeling like a team again, often within the first few months.

Many people begin noticing conversations feel less tense, they feel more heard, and they start feeling hopeful sooner than they expected.

Supporting couples, individuals, and families through more than 20,000 appointments since 2022

Trusted by couples across Virginia for relationship-focused therapy

The Spiral to Team Process

A clear path that helps conversations stop going in circles and start bringing you closer again

Most couples don’t need more advice. They need help changing what happens inside the conversation while it’s happening.

Why communication tools haven’t worked before

Many couples we meet already know what they’re supposed to say.

They’ve tried staying calm.
They’ve tried explaining things differently.
They’ve tried communication exercises.

But when conversations become emotional, those tools stop working. That’s because the problem usually isn’t knowing what to say. It’s what happens inside the conversation once it starts to feel tense.

That’s what we change first.

You never expected to feel this stuck in your relationship.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone—and it doesn’t mean your relationship is broken.

People come to us for more than communication tips

They want to understand why conversations keep going in circles—and how to change what’s underneath them.

Using Emotionally Focused Therapy and our Spiral to Team Process, we help couples begin feeling heard, safer, and more connected again.

How it Works:

Schedule a consultation so we can understand what’s been happening in your relationship.

Slow the conflict pattern and begin understanding what’s happening underneath it.

Start having conversations that feel safer and bring you closer again.

Services

We primarily help couples strengthen their connection, while also supporting individuals and families who want to improve relationship patterns.

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy

Communicate better, fight less, and develop a deeper understanding of each other.

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy

Understand your emotional patterns, heal past wounds, and build a stronger connection with yourself.

Emotionally Focused Family Therapy

Improve family dynamics, reduce conflict, and create a more secure emotional bond between members.

Hold Me Tight®

Our Hold Me Tight program is a structured 10-week version of the Spiral to Team Process designed to help couples make meaningful progress in a clear and supportive format.

Make meaningful progress in just 10 weeks. This structured program includes 12 sessions: 3 assessment sessions, 8 “Hold Me Tight” sessions, and a final review. You’ll receive a welcome package, a post-treatment plan, and personalized support to strengthen your relationship.

Specialties

We also offer specialized support for couples facing unique challenges, including military and veteran relationships, sexuality concerns, and intensive therapy options.

Sex Therapy & Sexuality Counseling

Overcome pain, anxiety, and shame so you can enjoy sex and feel comfortable in your body.

Military & Veteran Couples

Learn the tools you need to fight less and enjoy each other more.

Individual Counseling

Address anxiety and relationship concerns through individual counseling.

Marriage Counseling

Weekly guidance and practice so you can feel secure and satisfied in your marriage.

Family Therapy

Resolve conflicts, strengthen relationships, and create a healthier, more supportive family environment.

Marriage Intensives

Jump start therapy in a weekend long intensive so you can make progress quickly.

Do you qualify for Reimbursement?

We partner with Mentaya to help eligible clients use out-of-network benefits to reduce the cost of therapy.

Use the tool below to check whether you qualify.

Frequently Asked Questions

Starting therapy is a big step. Here are answers to some common questions people ask before scheduling their first consultation.

What are your rates?

Consistency is an important part of the counseling process. To help you get the most out of your work together, we schedule regular weekly sessions on the same day and time each week. This consistency supports steady progress and helps you build the momentum that makes therapy truly effective.

$125 per hour with Student Interns
$175 per hour with Therapists
$225 per hour with Specialty Certified Therapists
$425 per hour with Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky

Do you take insurance? Are you connected with Military OneSource or the VA?

We do not take insurance and are not connected with Military One Source or the VA. All providers are out-of-network providers, which means that they do not bill insurance. We are happy to offer you the necessary paperwork (superbill) to file with your insurance provider for possible partial or full reimbursement. Please know that not all insurance plans offer reimbursement and that some may have a deductible or an allowable amount. It is best to call the number on the back of your insurance card and speak to a representative about what your specific benefits are. In addition, insurance companies typically only reimburse if the client has a diagnosable mental health condition. Your provider can talk this through with you at any time.

Medicare: Communicate & Connect Counseling does not participate in any health insurance plans, HMO plans or panels, and cannot accept Medicare in any form. Clients of Communicate & Connect Counseling cannot attempt reimbursement of services through Medicare. Services provided by Communicate & Connect Counseling are not covered under Medicare and no Medicare payment will be made or accepted for any reason.

Have questions about using your insurance for therapy? It is best to call the number on the back of your insurance card and speak to a representative about what your specific benefits are.

What is your cancellation policy?

When you begin counseling, you are given a recurring weekly appointment time that is reserved just for you. Consistent weekly sessions are the most effective for counseling results, and some clients even benefit from meeting twice per week.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, we require at least 48 hours’ notice. Cancellations or changes with less notice, or missed (no-show) appointments, are charged the full session fee. In rare situations, your therapist may choose to waive the late cancellation fee one time per calendar year at their discretion.

If more than two sessions are missed within six months, your therapist may talk with you about whether this is the right time for counseling, and your weekly spot may be offered to another client who can attend more regularly.

The exception is Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky who only works with clients who are willing to be videotaped for training purposes. She works with clients on a weekly basis and has a reschedule only policy. We are happy to provide more information about this should you wish to work with her.

For individuals requiring intensive counseling, rescheduling is allowed up to two weeks before your date, and your non-refundable deposit will be applied to your new date. Cancellations after the two-week window are charged the full cost of the intensive.

How do I get started?

Click on the Book Now button to book your initial 20-minute free consultation. You’ll chat with your selected therapist to see if they are a good fit for your needs. If so, they will book an intake session where they can get to know you and your concerns more in depth.

Listen to the Latest Episodes

Explore our podcast and articles for practical insights about relationships, communication, and military family life.

Helpful Resources

Check out our podcast and articles to access free resources and educational tips for relationships, communication, and navigating military family life.

Stop Trying to Save Your Marriage—Start by Stopping the Damage First

Communication Skills Won’t Save Your Relationship Without Emotional Safety

Neurodivergent Families in Military Life: Parenting, Systems, and Survival with Priscilla Corson

Customer Reviews

What Our Clients are Saying

Worked with Liz for EFT consultation as well as general marriage/family consultation support for my work with couples. Have benefitted greatly from her extensive EFT knowledge base as well as her wealth of resources, tools, and community support services.

Liz brings care and professionalism to her work. She is welcoming and offers a nonjudgemental atmosphere, allowing others to feel comfortable. She takes the time to understand the unique needs of those in her care.

I enjoyed participating in Liz’s supervision group for couples counseling. Her approach allowed for a safe space for each clinician to share their concerns/questions about how to implement EFCT. Liz provided targeted feedback that answered my questions, offered ideas, and noted success in the session. I look forward to more work with Liz in the future.

Fantastic experience in supervision with Liz. She is very skilled and kind, providing a supportive environment to grow. I particularly appreciate her organized approach to EFT and to supervision.

Dr. Liz Polinsky is a wonderful mentor and EFT supervisor. I have learned lot from her groups and enjoy her style of teaching and supervision. She also is very skilled at individual supervision, providing a balance of feedback/challenge with support and affirmation. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking to grow their knowledge and skill as an EFT practitioner.

Liz is an excellent therapist. She clearly listens, is very empathetic and understanding. She always seemed to be neutral and caring toward both of us, during couples therapy. She is very clear in explaining things. I feel that I’ve learned a lot in the almost 1 year that I was able to see her. And, I highly recommend her for Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

I am so thankful we found Liz. She is so friendly yet professional. She is warm, open and an incredible listener. I would recommend her to any couple that needs some help through the rough spots.

We worked with Liz for two years. She’s professional and personable. Most providers are good at making you think they care; Liz obviously DOES care. Working with her has helped my wife and I communicate each other in a loving and open way that I previously wouldn’t have thought we were capable of doing. I understand myself better thanks to her knowledge, patience, and approachability. Could not recommend more highly.

I’ve had the pleasure of being part of Liz’s supervision group for EFT. Liz is kind, empathic, and very skilled in working with couples. I’ve benefitted greatly from her knowledge and skills, and anyone working with her will be in very good hands!

I joined Liz’s first supervision group, and I wouldn’t have guessed that it was her first! Liz provided such helpful feedback on our videos, including some nuggets on process and wording that I know I will carry with me. She will offer a compassionate and knowledgeable hand to anyone going through their EFT journey!

Your First Step Towards Healing