If This Is You
- You argue about the argument.
- You feel more like roommates than partners.
- Life revolves around the kids, not each other.
- Trust took a hit and you want to rebuild it.
- One of you is less sure than the other, and that's okay.
- You're not ready to walk away, or sure how to keep going.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
What You Can Work On Together
Wondering if the relationship still works
Sort through your doubts without making a decision in the heat of conflict, and see what moving forward, together or apart, would look like.
Feeling stuck in a rut
Uncover how the rut formed and what it's costing you, then rebuild the small moments that make a relationship worth showing up for.
Living like roommates
Reconnect outside of parenting and logistics, and get to know each other again without the kids as a buffer.
Rebuilding trust and communication
Slow down hard conversations, reduce cycles of conflict and learn to feel heard by each other again.
What Couples Work Toward
- Fewer repeats of the same fight.
- Hard conversations that end with a plan.
- Feeling like a team again.
- Time together that is not about logistics.
- Trust that is rebuilt step by step.
- A clear decision about the future, made calmly.
If One of You Is Less Sure
It is common for one partner to be ready and the other to be skeptical. The first conversation is simply about understanding what each of you sees, with no one blamed and no decision required. Many hesitant partners relax once they see the process is fair, structured and calm.
Your First Sessions
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Your 30-Minute Call
One or both of you can join. Ask anything about how sessions work.
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Your First Session Together
Each person's view of what's happening and what you both hope for.
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Clear Steps Between Sessions
Many couples choose 90-minute sessions for more room to work.
John Nichols, MS, LPC/MHSP
I was raised in Franklin, trained at Lipscomb University, and work with professionals, men and couples across Middle Tennessee. More about me
- License
- MS, LPC/MHSP, licensed in Tennessee
- Training
- EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT and Existential Therapy
- Couples
- Gottman Seven Principles Leader, trained and certified by The Gottman Institute
- Background
- Helen Ross McNabb Center, Lipscomb University and Mercy Community Healthcare
Private, Clear and Simple
$300 · 90 minutes is the most popular choice for couples. $200 · 60 minutes is also available. Private pay, so nothing goes on an insurance record. Superbills, HSA and FSA welcome. See fees and insurance.
Couples leave John's office with a shared plan instead of a winner and a loser.
Questions Couples Ask
What if my partner won't come?
You can start on your own. Many people begin individually, and partners often join later once they see the process is fair and calm.
Do you take sides?
No. My role is to help both of you feel heard and to make the patterns between you visible, not to pick a winner.
What approach do you use?
I draw on the research-based Gottman method. I am trained and certified by The Gottman Institute as a Seven Principles Leader.
Is a 90-minute session better for couples?
Often, yes. The extra time leaves room to slow down difficult conversations and leave with a plan. It is $300 for 90 minutes.
Do you offer intensives or workshops?
Yes. As a Seven Principles Leader, I can teach the Gottman program in workshops, intensives and private coaching. Ask about it during your consultation.
Can couples therapy help us decide whether to stay together?
Yes. Sometimes couples reconnect and strengthen the relationship. Other times therapy helps them decide about the future with more clarity and respect.
What if communication has completely broken down?
That is when many couples start. I add structure and slow things down so you can understand what is happening beneath the conflict.
Do you take insurance?
Therapy is private pay, which keeps your records private. I can provide a superbill you may submit for out-of-network reimbursement, and HSA and FSA cards are welcome.
