Couples Therapy in Santa Monica
Reconnect, repair, and grow together — without leaving home.
Weekly 50, 75, or 90-minute sessions · Secure video sessions · Serving Santa Monica residents and clients across California
Couples therapy that meets Santa Monica where it lives.
Santa Monica looks like SoCal at its most idyllic — ocean, light, and a Westside professional class running tech, entertainment, wellness, and creative firms out of the same few square miles. From inside, it's a high-performance city. Long hours at Snap, Hulu, and the surrounding studios, dual-career partnerships, and the particular pressure of living a life that's supposed to look as good as it does on Instagram all show up in relationships in real ways. The gap between the postcard and the inside of the house is exactly the territory of this work.
Westside traffic alone is a reason couples and individuals drop out of in-person therapy. A 50-minute session becomes a two-hour ordeal between Bundy, the 10, and parking off Wilshire. Online therapy keeps the work from being undermined by logistics — sessions from your place in Ocean Park, Sunset Park, north of Montana, or your office near Colorado.
About Couples Therapy
Couples therapy that meets you where you are — in the relationship, in your life, and in your home. I work with couples navigating disconnection, conflict, intimacy challenges, life transitions, and the slow drift that happens when partnership is on autopilot. Together we slow down, get curious about what's actually happening between you, and rebuild the connection from the ground up.
What to expect
- An initial 90-minute intake where I meet both of you and we map what's going on
- Weekly sessions of your chosen length — 50, 75, or 90 minutes
- A blend of structured tools (communication, repair, attachment work) and open exploration
- Real homework between sessions — the work doesn't happen only in the room
- A pace that follows your lead — I'm here to support, not push
Common reasons people come in
- —Communication patterns that feel stuck or escalate quickly
- —Loss of emotional or physical intimacy
- —Major life transitions — parenthood, career shifts, blending families
- —Trust ruptures, including affairs and betrayals
- —Resentment, distance, and the feeling of being roommates
- —Differences in sex drive, desire, or sexual expression
Weekly 50, 75, or 90-minute sessions
- All sessions held online via secure HIPAA-compliant video
- Cancellation policy: 24 hours
- Currently accepting new Santa Monica clients
Why online sessions are a good fit for Santa Monica
Westside traffic alone is a reason couples and individuals drop out of in-person therapy. A 50-minute session becomes a two-hour ordeal between Bundy, the 10, and parking off Wilshire. Online therapy keeps the work from being undermined by logistics — sessions from your place in Ocean Park, Sunset Park, north of Montana, or your office near Colorado.
- No travel time across Ocean Park, Sunset Park, North of Montana
- Sessions fit into work-from-home schedules
- Privacy and discretion — sessions from your own home
- Available evenings and select weekend hours
A relational, depth-oriented therapist serving California.
I'm Fanshen Thompson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California. I work with couples, individuals, and partnerships navigating intimacy, identity, and the slower work of becoming.
I am a certified Gottman trained couples therapist and draw from Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, attachment theory, and somatic practices. But more than any single modality, I bring myself: a real human who has done — and continues to do — this work.
My practice is online and serves clients across California. The work is honest, grounded, and paced to what you can actually carry.
Frequently asked questions
How do online sessions work?
We meet over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. You'll receive a link before each session and join from a private space at home — no app downloads or special equipment beyond a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.
Do I need a special app or platform?
No. The video platform runs in your browser. I'll send a link a few minutes before our session — you click, and we begin.
Is this covered by insurance?
I'm an out-of-network provider. I can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. I'd encourage you to call your insurance and ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits.
How long does it take to see results?
Most people begin to feel something shift within the first several weeks — a little more clarity, a little less alone in it. Real, lasting change is a longer arc, often months of consistent weekly work. I'll be honest with you about what I see along the way.
What is your cancellation policy?
My cancellation policy is 24 hours. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice are charged in full.
Can you see clients in Santa Monica?
Yes. I see clients in Santa Monica and across California via secure video sessions. There's no need to come to an office — sessions happen from wherever you're comfortable in Santa Monica.
Ready to start? Let's talk.
Book a free 20-minute consultation. We'll talk about what's going on and whether working together feels right. No pressure, no commitment.