IN-PERSON COUPLES THERAPIST IN SORRENTO VALLEY | SAN DIEGO & ONLINE ACROSS CA
ARE YOU BOTH READY TO STOP WAITING FOR A MIRACLE?
PREETI PRESSWALA-SHAH, LMFT
SAN DIEGO COUPLES THERAPIST
You are here because you are tired of walking on eggshells. You never thought your relationship would get this difficult and your feeling of disconnection is only growing.
I work with couples who feel stuck in the same arguments and want to find new ways to communicate and reconnect.
In our work together…..
You’ll begin to understand what’s really happening beneath the arguments and seeing patterns with new clarity instead of getting caught in blame or defense. Together, you’ll learn how to slow down, stay curious, and truly hear each other.
You’ll stop tiptoeing around each other and learn to create a safe space for honest conversations. Even when emotions run high, you’ll know how to stay grounded, listen with care, and speak with love, turning conflict into connection.
You’ll rebuild trust, intimacy, and friendship, discovering what it feels like to be partners again, not just people sharing a home. The changes you make here will ripple into every part of your life
AM I THE RIGHT THERAPIST FOR YOU?
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AM I THE RIGHT THERAPIST FOR YOU? *
Many of my clients have read self-help books, listened to podcasts, and tried to make changes on their own, but they’re still not sure how to apply it all to their relationship.
My South Asian Indian background gives me a unique perspective in the therapy room, one you won’t find from an online resource. I see every couple as coming together from two “cultures”, your families of origin, your individual values and traditions. Therapy becomes a place to better understand these differences, bridge gaps, and create a relationship built on openness and respect.
Being married for 25 years has taught me that every relationship has its ups and downs. Conflict is inevitable and both the partners have to nurture their connection intentionally. When you learn to embrace conflict as an opportunity for closeness, it deepens emotional intimacy and builds a stronger foundation for your relationship.
As a marriage and family therapist trained in the advanced Gottman Method, I bring both professional expertise and practical tools to help couples create lasting change.
My couples often say things like, “We’re finally having real conversations instead of arguments,” or “I feel like I have my best friend back,” or “We can bounce back pretty quickly.” My goal is to create a space where both partners feel safe to be vulnerable, take responsibility, and learn to support each other, so the relationship becomes a source of strength and joy again.
In those rare occasions where partners choose to uncouple, they’re able to do so with clarity, care, and appreciation for the relationship they once shared.
With calm, compassionate, and gently direct style, I help couples slow down and understand what’s really happening beneath the conflict.
In my work together, I provide a nonjudgmental, safe space for honest exploration, where both partners can reflect on their values, their patterns, and what truly matters within the relationship.
MY GUIDING PRINCIPLE
Be not disturbed at being misunderstood; be disturbed rather at not being understanding
- Chinese Proverb
I believe every relationship has the potential for healing, and that many problems can be prevented with early intervention. This belief guides the way I help couples lower their defenses, take off their emotional armor, and open themselves to vulnerability.
Instead of focusing on who’s right or wrong, we work toward understanding why each partner feels hurt or unseen. This shift from defense to empathy allows genuine connection to emerge.
Get the support that’s right for you.
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I’m trained in a variety of therapy methods, allowing me to tailor my approach to your unique goals and needs. These include:
Level 3 Gottman Method
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Level 2 EMDR
Culturally Sensitive Couples Therapy
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MS, Clinical Psychology
Licensed MArriage and Family Therapist (MFT #47820)