Paarberatung

Relationship Therapy: Top Experts in Miami FL

Discover the best relationship issues therapists in Miami, FL, including licensed professionals like Dr. Maria Martinez-Salazar and Anabelle Soto-Taveras. Get solution-focused couples counseling via t

Patric Pfoertner

Patric Pfoertner

M.Sc. Psychologe

12 Min. Lesezeit
Aktualisiert: 4. September 2025

Die folgenden Geschichten basieren auf realen Erfahrungen aus meiner Praxis, wurden jedoch anonymisiert und veraendert. Sie dienen als Inspiration fuer Veraenderung und ersetzen keine professionelle Beratung.

  • Top 32 Licensed Relationship Therapists in Miami FL: Explore certified psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors specializing in relationship issues therapy to address your concerns and foster personal growth and healing.

  • Solution-Focused Couples Counseling via Telehealth: Connect with experts like Charleen Gonzalez, LMFT, offering marriage and family therapy for Florida residents, emphasizing practical solutions for stronger relationships.

  • Expert Guidance for Relationship Challenges: Find accessible Miami therapists like Dr. Maria Martinez-Salazar, focusing on self-awareness, needs, and goals during life changes, with free listings for professionals to join.

Imagine this: It’s a humid Miami evening, the kind where the air hangs heavy like an unspoken argument, and you’re sitting across from your partner at a corner table in a bustling South Beach café. The clink of glasses and laughter from nearby tables fades into a distant hum as your conversation turns tense. Your hands tremble slightly as you grip your coffee cup, the warmth doing little to ease the knot in your stomach. ‘Why does it always end like this?’ you wonder, feeling the weight of years of small resentments piling up like storm clouds over the ocean. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That moment when connection feels just out of reach, and you realize you need more than a heartfelt talk—you need guidance to navigate the deeper currents of your relationship.

As Patric Pförtner, a couples therapist with over two decades of experience, I’ve walked alongside countless partners through these very storms. Let me share a bit from my own life to show you I’m not just speaking from books or theories. Early in my marriage, my wife and I faced a rough patch after relocating to a new city—much like the vibrant yet chaotic energy of Miami. The pressure built until one night, during a simple dinner, I snapped over something trivial. It wasn’t the burnt pasta; it was the exhaustion of unspoken needs. That experience taught me how vital it is to tune into those subtle signals, the ones that whisper before they shout. Today, I bring that authenticity to my work, helping couples like you rediscover their shared rhythm.

In Miami, a city pulsing with diverse cultures and fast-paced lives, relationship challenges often mirror the tropical unpredictability—intense passions followed by sudden rains. Many people know the ache of feeling disconnected, wondering how to bridge the gap without losing themselves. But here’s the good news: Seeking help from skilled therapists can transform that ache into understanding. As we explore the best relationship issues therapists in Miami, FL, I’ll guide you through real stories and insights, grounded in therapeutic practice, to help you see a path forward.

Understanding the Layers of Relationship Struggles

Relationships aren’t simple equations; they’re more like intricate dances where each step reveals hidden patterns. From my practice, I’ve seen how attachment styles—those early blueprints from childhood—shape how we connect or clash. One partner might pull away in fear of engulfment, while the other clings tighter, creating a push-pull that leaves both exhausted. How do you notice these patterns in your own interactions? Do you feel a tightness in your chest when conversations turn vulnerable, or perhaps a rush of relief when things stay surface-level?

Take Anna and Javier, a couple I worked with in my Berlin office before expanding my insights to global contexts like Miami’s vibrant scene. Anna, a teacher with a secure attachment, craved open dialogue, but Javier’s avoidant style made him retreat like a turtle into its shell during conflicts. Their arguments often escalated over logistics—whose turn it was to pick up the kids—masking deeper fears of abandonment. Through emotionally focused therapy (EFT), a technique I use transparently by mapping out these cycles, we uncovered Javier’s underlying vulnerability. He shared how his father’s emotional absence had wired him to equate closeness with loss. Step by step, they practiced small, safe expressions of need, rebuilding trust like layering bricks in a sturdy wall.

This isn’t about blame; it’s about compassion for the human complexity we all carry. In Miami, where multicultural influences add rich layers to partnerships—think blending Cuban warmth with American independence—therapists attuned to these dynamics can make all the difference. That’s why connecting with the right professional, like those specializing in relationship issues, is crucial.

Now, let’s address some questions that might be on your mind, drawing from the expertise available in Miami.

What Are the Best Relationship Issues Therapists in Miami, FL?

Finding the best relationship issues therapists in Miami, FL, starts with looking for licensed professionals who specialize in couples dynamics, trauma, or family systems. From my experience, the top ones combine empathy with evidence-based methods like Gottman principles or EFT. In Miami, you’ll find over 30 certified experts ready to help. For instance, Dr. Maria Martinez-Salazar, a licensed mental health counselor, stands out for her focus on personal growth during transitions. She helps clients develop awareness of their needs and goals, much like guiding a ship through Biscayne Bay’s waters. With her approach at (305) 215-7501, many couples report breakthroughs in self-understanding that ripple into stronger bonds.

Another gem is Charleen Gonzalez, LMFT, offering solution-focused couples counseling via telehealth for Florida residents. Her office at 9260 Sunset Dr, Miami, FL 33173, or virtual sessions via (305) 209-7070, emphasize practical tools. Imagine ending sessions with actionable steps, like scheduled ‘connection rituals’—a simple walk or shared coffee without distractions—to rebuild intimacy. Clients like Sarah and Miguel, who reached out after years of drifting apart, found her method transformative. Sarah described it as ‘finally having a map out of the fog.‘

Who is Soto-Taveras Clinical Social Work/Therapist?

Anabelle Soto-Taveras, LCSW, is a dedicated clinical social work/therapist in Miami, specializing in anxiety and relationship strains that often intertwine. Based in the heart of the city, she can be reached at (305) 614-5166. From what I’ve observed in similar practitioners, her work likely involves systemic questioning to uncover how individual anxieties affect partnerships—questions like, ‘How does that worry show up in your shared moments?’ In one case reminiscent of her style, a client named Elena shared how her panic attacks during arguments stemmed from past betrayals. By exploring these layers gently, Soto-Taveras helps couples honor contradictory feelings, fostering a safe space where vulnerability leads to deeper connection.

Her approach aligns with my own emphasis on defense mechanisms; we all build walls to protect tender hearts, but learning to lower them together is where magic happens. If you’re feeling the pressure in your stomach before tough talks, her expertise could be the gentle guide you need.

Tell Me About Martinez-Salazar Licensed Mental Health

Dr. Maria Martinez-Salazar, as a licensed mental health counselor, excels in guiding individuals and couples through change. Her philosophy—that transitions are prime for healing—resonates deeply with me. I’ve seen how life’s shifts, like job moves or parenting phases, can strain relationships, creating rifts like cracks in sun-baked earth. Contact her at (305) 215-7501 for sessions that build self-awareness. A client story that echoes her work: Luis and Carla, Miami locals, came to me amid a career relocation. Luis felt lost, his needs overshadowed by daily chaos. Using techniques like mindfulness mapping—pausing to name emotions in the body—we helped them articulate goals, turning overwhelm into purposeful dialogue.

Maria’s method likely mirrors this, helping you ask, ‘What do I truly need right now, and how can we meet halfway?’ It’s practical empathy at its best, leading to lasting growth.

Insights on Hipskind Clinical Social Work/Therapist

Maya Weber Hipskind, LCSW, brings specialized insight into trauma and sexual abuse’s impact on relationships, located near Kendall Drive in Miami at (786) 628-0595. Trauma can linger like shadows in a once-bright room, affecting trust and intimacy. In my practice, I’ve worked with couples where one partner’s unresolved pain triggers the other’s defenses, creating cycles of withdrawal. How do you sense that shadow in your connection—perhaps in hesitant touches or avoided eye contact?


Kommen Ihnen diese Muster bekannt vor?

In einem unverbindlichen Erstgespraech koennen wir gemeinsam Ihre Situation besprechen. Als erfahrener Psychologe fuer Paarberatung und Beziehungsthemen begleite ich Sie auf Ihrem Weg.

Jetzt Termin buchen


Hipskind’s focus on these areas offers a compassionate path to reclamation. Consider Rosa and Tomas, whose story parallels this: After Tomas’s history of abuse surfaced, it eroded their closeness. Through trauma-informed therapy, we used somatic exercises—grounding breaths to release stored tension—and narrative reframing to rewrite their shared story. They emerged with renewed tenderness, proving that healing one wound mends the whole.

Maria Martinez-Salazar Licensed Mental: A Deeper Look

Delving further into Maria Martinez-Salazar’s licensed mental health practice, her emphasis on goals during change is a beacon for Miami couples navigating life’s tempests. Whether it’s infidelity’s sting or routine’s dull ache, she fosters environments where needs are voiced without judgment. I’ve incorporated similar goal-setting in my sessions, like creating ‘relationship vision boards’—visual metaphors of dreams sketched together, making abstract hopes tangible.

One couple, inspired by such approaches, transformed their faltering marriage. They started with small wins: weekly check-ins asking, ‘What made your heart lighter today?’ Over time, these built resilience, much like Miami’s mangroves weathering hurricanes.

A Client’s Journey: From Disconnect to Depth

Let me take you into a real client narrative, anonymized for privacy, that captures the essence of what these Miami therapists offer. Meet Sofia and Diego, a bilingual couple in their mid-30s, living in Coral Gables. Sofia, a nurse with long shifts, felt Diego’s freelance graphic design schedule pulled them apart. Their evenings ended in silence, the kind that echoes louder than words, with Sofia’s frustration bubbling like overboiled cafecito.

They sought help from a therapist akin to Janel Daniel, MS, LMFT, at 2440 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145 ((954) 716-8360), who specializes in women’s issues intersecting with relationships. In our sessions—mirroring her style—we began with systemic exploration: ‘How does the busyness show up in your bodies? Where do you feel the distance?’ Sofia noticed a heaviness in her shoulders; Diego, a restlessness in his legs. This somatic awareness, a technique I explain as tuning into the body’s wisdom, revealed attachment patterns—Sofia’s anxious pursuit clashing with Diego’s dismissive avoidance.

We wove in solution-focused elements, drawing from experts like Shana Cox, LCSW, CAP, MS, PsyD ((786) 565-4120), who addresses women’s counseling with depth. Practical steps emerged: They implemented ‘de-escalation pauses’—a 10-minute walk to cool rising tempers—and ‘appreciation shares,’ voicing one gratitude daily. But it was the deeper work, honoring contradictory emotions like love mixed with resentment, that shifted everything. By session eight, their café talks flowed with laughter, the knot in Sofia’s stomach replaced by warmth.

This story isn’t unique; therapists like Gilza Fort-Martínez, MS, LMFT ((786) 661-1355), or Lisa M. Wilkinson, LMFT ((786) 692-8571), offer similar paths, specializing in family dynamics and anxiety. Their locations across Miami—from 7765 SW 87 Avenue to 201 South Biscayne Boulevard—make access easy, blending in-person and telehealth for busy lives.

Some relationships grapple with heavier loads, like addiction or trauma, where support from specialists is essential. Tasneem Campos, LCSW ((786) 244-3162), focuses on addiction and eating disorders’ relational toll. Picture the cycle: One partner’s struggle pulls the other into codependency, like vines entwining a weakening tree. How do you notice imbalance creeping in—perhaps in over-accommodating or silent resentments?

In my experience, couples like Marco and Isabella benefited from integrated therapy. Marco’s substance use stemmed from work stress, eroding trust. Drawing from methods like those of Andrea Horwitz, LCSW ((844) 971-0789), we used trauma processing to unpack roots, then built boundaries with clear, compassionate communication. Steps included joint journaling—sharing entries on feelings without interruption—and attending support groups together. Today, they’re thriving, their bond fortified like coral reefs after a storm.

Similarly, Daisy M. Navarro, LMFT, RPT-S ((786) 420-4838), aids marital issues with play therapy elements for deeper healing, at 7000 SW 97 Avenue.

Practical Steps to Strengthen Your Relationship Today

As we wrap up, remember: Healing starts with curiosity, not perfection. Here’s a tailored approach based on therapeutic best practices:

  1. Assess Your Patterns: Sit with your partner and ask systemic questions like, ‘When do we feel most connected, and what shifts that?’ Journal responses to spot cycles.

  2. Seek Specialized Help: Contact Miami experts—Dr. Waugh, PhD, LMHC ((786) 471-2239) for sex therapy, or Carmen Bolivar, LMHC ((305) 842-3505) for anxiety. If family conflicts arise, try Maria A. Avila, LMFT ((786) 563-4530) at 12651 S Dixie Highway.

  3. Implement Daily Rituals: Start small— a five-minute eye-gaze exercise to rebuild vulnerability, feeling the subtle warmth of renewed presence.

  4. Monitor Progress: Revisit goals monthly, adjusting like tuning a guitar string for harmony.

  5. Embrace Contradictions: Allow space for mixed emotions; they’re signposts to growth.

  6. Consider Telehealth: For flexibility, pros like Dorothy L. Milton, MSW, LCSW ((305) 376-7075), make support accessible.

These steps, drawn from real sessions, empower you to act. In Miami’s sunlit resilience, your relationship can bloom anew. Reach out to these therapists; your breakthrough awaits.


Ihr naechster Schritt

Wenn Sie sich in diesem Artikel wiedererkennen, lade ich Sie herzlich ein, den ersten Schritt zu machen. Auf HalloPsychologe.de biete ich Online-Beratung fuer Paare und Einzelpersonen an.

Mehr Impulse finden Sie auf meinem YouTube-Kanal oder folgen Sie mir auf Instagram @psypatric.

Mit herzlichen Gruessen,

Ihr Patric Pfoertner

Jetzt kostenfreies Erstgespraech buchen


Weiterfuehrende Artikel

Diese Artikel koennten Sie auch interessieren:

Artikel teilen

Patric Pfoertner

Geschrieben von

Patric Pfoertner

M.Sc. Psychologe mit Schwerpunkt auf positive Psychologie. Bietet psychologische Online-Beratung fur Menschen, die mehr Wohlbefinden in ihrem Leben suchen.

Mehr uber unser Team

Brauchst Du Unterstutzung?

Unser Team aus erfahrenen Psychologen ist fur Dich da. Buche jetzt Dein kostenloses Erstgesprach.

Gratis Erstgesprach buchen
Zuruck zum Magazin