Christopher Underwood

Most couples don't struggle because they don't know how to communicate, they struggle because unresolved experiences continue to shape how they relate to one another. My specialty is Couples EMDR, a unique therapeutic approach that integrates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with attachment-based therapy to help couples heal the emotional injuries that keep them stuck. Rather than focusing solely on communication skills, Couples EMDR addresses the underlying experiences that fuel recurring conflict, emotional disconnection, betrayal, and attachment wounds. Whether you're recovering from infidelity, navigating repeated arguments, rebuilding trust, or feeling emotionally distant, my goal is to help you understand the patterns keeping your relationship stuck and create lasting change by healing them together. Alongside Couples EMDR, our practice incorporates the ISM Couples Communication Model, providing couples with practical tools to strengthen communication while processing the deeper emotional experiences that make those conversations difficult. This combination allows couples to build greater emotional safety, reconnect with one another, and develop a stronger, more resilient relationship. While my primary focus is helping couples heal together, I also provide EMDR therapy for individuals and military veterans experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, anger, identity concerns, and substance use. Individual therapy is grounded in the same belief that lasting change comes from resolving the experiences that shape how we see ourselves and connect with others. With nearly a decade of experience in the mental health field, I have worked in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), outpatient substance use treatment, Sacramento's LGBTQ+ community, and graduate-level psychology education. These experiences have shaped a holistic approach that recognizes healing occurs not only within individuals but also within relationships. I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) practicing under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Lucking, LMFT, and Taya Miller, LCSW. Individual therapy sessions are $175, and couples therapy sessions are $200. I also offer a complimentary phone consultation, giving us an opportunity to discuss your concerns, explore how Couples EMDR may help, and determine whether we're a good fit before beginning therapy. If you're ready to move beyond surviving conflict and begin truly healing your relationship, I'd be honored to help you take that next step.