Couples Therapy in Charlotte, NC
Your Relationship is Worthy of Care.
Infertility. Pregnancy loss. A traumatic birth. A baby who changed everything. A postpartum season that brought you closer — or gradually pulled you apart.
The experiences that shape a family also shape a relationship. And sometimes the hardest seasons of your life as individuals are the hardest seasons of your life together. If you've found that the weight of what you're carrying has started to land between you — in the arguments you keep having, in the silence that's grown between you, in the intimacy that's slipped away — couples therapy can help.
I work primarily with couples who are navigating reproductive and perinatal experiences: the emotional toll of trying to conceive, the grief of loss, the complicated transition into parenthood, and everything in between. These aren't just relationship challenges. They're some of the most profound human experiences there are — and they deserve a therapist who understands them specifically.
Something Has Shifted Between You
Most couples who reach out aren't sure exactly when things changed. They just know something feels different and harder. You might recognize your relationship in some of these:
You're going through infertility treatments together, but you're grieving separately — and the distance is growing.
You've experienced a pregnancy loss and are discovering that you each grieve differently, in ways that feel lonely and sometimes even at odds.
One of you is struggling with postpartum depression, anxiety, or rage — and the other doesn't know how to help, or is quietly struggling too.
The baby is here and you love them fiercely, but your relationship feels like it's running on empty.
You're fighting more than you used to — or you've stopped fighting altogether, which somehow feels worse.
Intimacy has faded, and neither of you knows how to bring it back without it feeling forced or pressure-filled.
You're dealing with the aftermath of something that broke trust — and you're not sure if you can rebuild it.
You feel like teammates in the logistics of life, but you've lost the thread of what makes you partners.
If any of that resonates, you're in the right place. What you're describing isn't a failure — it's what happens when two people are under enormous pressure without adequate support. Couples therapy is that support.
What We Work On in Couples Therapy
My couples therapy practice specializes in the relational challenges that come with reproductive and perinatal experiences. I also work with couples navigating broader relationship struggles — communication breakdowns, disconnection, betrayal, and the hard work of staying close through major life change.
Areas I work with most often include:
Infertility and the strain of fertility treatments — including navigating IVF, IUI, a diagnosis, or the question of when to stop trying
Pregnancy loss — miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, and the relational aftermath of loss that others may not fully see
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders — supporting each other through postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum rage, and perinatal OCD
Birth trauma — processing a frightening or traumatic birth experience as a couple
The transition to parenthood — identity shifts, role changes, and the relationship renegotiation that comes with a new baby
Communication — learning to fight more fairly, listen more deeply, and say the things that actually need to be said
Emotional and physical intimacy — rebuilding closeness after distance, illness, loss, or a major life event
Infidelity and betrayal — working through what happened, what it means, and what you want to do next
Disconnection and relationship burnout — for couples who feel more like roommates than partners
Parenting disagreements — different approaches, different values, and the conflict that creates
What to Expect in Gottman-Informed Couples Therapy
My approach to couples therapy is grounded in the Gottman Method — one of the most extensively researched frameworks for couples work, developed over decades of studying what actually makes relationships succeed and fail. The Gottman Method focuses on building what researcher John Gottman calls the "Sound Relationship House": a foundation of friendship, trust, and shared meaning that can weather conflict and life's inevitable challenges.
In practice, this means we'll work on the patterns that are keeping you stuck — the Four Horsemen that predict relationship breakdown (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling) — and replace them with skills for communication, repair, and connection that you can actually use outside of our sessions.
I also bring my deep knowledge of reproductive and perinatal psychology into our work. Understanding how infertility, loss, birth trauma, and the postpartum period affect individuals — and relationships — allows me to meet you with real specificity, not just general couples therapy techniques.
Your first session is a chance for all three of us to get oriented. I'll ask about your relationship history, what's brought you in, and what you're each hoping for. Both partners will have space to share — and there's no pressure to arrive with everything figured out.
Next, we’ll each meet for an individual session so that I can learn more about your personal history and experience of the relationship. Anything shared individually stays confidential within the parameters we agree on together. Then I’ll ask you to each complete the Gottman Connect assessment so that I can learn more about your relationship within the Gottman Method framework.
Then we’ll all meet together for a Feedback session so we can go over your assessment results, your Sound Relationship House, and the Four Horsemen. We’ll set some goals for our work together and begin to really get into the work of building effective, connected dialogue!
Couples therapy is available both in person in Charlotte, NC and online via secure video throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Missouri. Sessions are 50 minutes, with longer sessions available when needed.
Common Questions About Couples Therapy
Do you only work with couples going through infertility or pregnancy loss?
No — while these are my areas of deepest specialty, I work with couples navigating a wide range of relationship challenges. If you're not sure whether my practice is a good fit for what you're experiencing, the best way to find out is to reach out for a consultation call.
What if my partner is reluctant to come to therapy?
This is really common — and it doesn't mean therapy won't work. Sometimes one partner initiates, and the other comes around once they experience the process for themselves. A free 15-minute consultation call can help a hesitant partner get a feel for what to expect before committing to anything. I'm happy to speak with both of you together or with just one of you to start.
Is the Gottman Method right for every couple?
The Gottman Method works well for most couples, particularly those dealing with communication struggles, conflict patterns, and disconnection. I adapt my approach based on what each couple needs — if your situation calls for something more trauma-informed or grief-focused (which is often the case with reproductive loss or birth trauma), I'll integrate those elements as well.
Do you work with LGBTQ+ couples?
Yes, wholeheartedly. All couples are welcome here, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or relationship structure.
What if we decide to separate during therapy?
Sometimes couples therapy leads to clarity that the relationship isn't the right fit — and that's a valid outcome. I can support you through a discernment process, or help you navigate a thoughtful separation if that's where things lead. The goal is always your wellbeing, not preserving the relationship at any cost.
Do you take insurance for couples therapy?
Couples therapy is generally not covered by insurance, regardless of provider, because it isn't billed under a mental health diagnosis. I operate as a private-pay practice. I'm happy to discuss fees when we connect.
Do you offer online couples therapy?
Yes. I offer couples therapy both in person in Charlotte, NC and online via secure, HIPAA-compliant video throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Missouri. Many couples find that virtual sessions fit more easily into busy lives — and they're just as effective.
Ready to Reconnect? Let's Talk.
Reaching out is the hardest part — and you've already done it by being here. Whether you're both ready to dive in or one of you is still on the fence, I'd love to connect and give you a sense of what working together might look like.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation call for couples. No pressure, no commitment — just a conversation about where you are, what you're hoping for, and whether I might be the right fit to support you both.
You can reach me at 980-272-0647, by email at ginny@ginnylupkacounseling.com, or through my contact form to schedule your consultation. I typically respond within one business day.
Want to learn more about the specific areas I work with? Explore my pages on couples therapy for infertility, pregnancy loss, perinatal mood disorders, communication, and more — or simply reach out and tell me what's going on. We'll figure out the right path together.
Location, Availability & Fees
Office Location
In-person sessions are offered at 1501 East 7th Street, Office 6, Charlotte, NC 28204 on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Telehealth
Virtual therapy is available Monday–Thursday for clients located in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Missouri. I offer both daytime and limited evening availability.
Investment
Sessions are priced at $150 per 50-minute session.
I offer private-pay therapy and do not bill insurance. Superbills are available upon request.
Questions?
You can learn more about me and my counseling approach or explore the services I offer if you’d like to get a better sense of how I support clients. If you have more questions, check out the FAQ’s or contact me so we can schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.