Online Therapy Across Ohio & In-Person in Dublin

No, and waiting until things reach a breaking point is one of the most common mistakes clients make. Research consistently shows that the earlier clients seek support, the better the outcomes. Many of our clients come to us not because their life or relationship is falling apart, but because they want to strengthen communication, work through a transition, for personal growth, or simply to invest in the health of their relationship before smaller frustrations become larger ones. Therapy does not need to be a last resort. It can be a proactive tool.

Not necessarily. The right starting point depends on what you are dealing with. If the primary concern is relational, couples therapy is usually the better first step. Research has found that individuals who pursue individual therapy for a relationship problem, rather than couples therapy, are more likely to exit the relationship. This is in part because therapy, which is focused on one partner, may not fully account for the dynamics between two people. If both partners are not willing to participate, individual therapy with a trained marriage and family therapist will keep your relational goals in mind so the interventions are designed not only to strengthen the individual but also the relationship.

If one partner is managing significant trauma, addiction, or a serious mental health condition, individual work may need to run alongside or precede couples work. Our clinicians will help you think through the right approach at your initial consultation.

This is one of the most common situations we encounter. If your partner is hesitant, it can help to frame therapy not as a sign that the relationship has failed, but as a commitment to it. Sometimes, starting with a single session, described as a consultation rather than a commitment, lowers the barrier enough to get both partners in the room. If your partner remains unwilling, individual therapy with a trained marriage and family therapist can still be valuable for clarifying your own perspective and working toward strengthening the relationship. We are happy to talk through options with you one-on-one.

Friends and family care about you, but they are not trained to look at your situation with a clinical eye. They bring their own history, loyalties, and opinions into the conversation. A trained therapist offers something different: a neutral, structured environment where both partners are genuinely heard. A skilled clinician sees patterns in the relationship that can be invisible from the inside, and has the training to help you interrupt those patterns rather than simply talking about them.

There is no universal answer, and anyone who gives you one without knowing your situation is guessing. Some clients make meaningful progress in a focused, short-term engagement. Others benefit from longer-term work, particularly when the issues are complex or longstanding. At ICFT, we are always working toward a defined goal and not simply maintaining ongoing sessions indefinitely. We will discuss realistic expectations with you early in the process and revisit them as your work progresses.

Yes. A change in one part of a family system often creates movement in the whole. Individual therapy, or sessions involving only the willing family members, can shift how you communicate, respond, and set expectations in ways that affect the broader dynamic. It is not the ideal scenario, but it is far from a dead end. Individual Therapy with a trained marriage and family therapist will keep your relational goals in mind so the interventions are designed not only to strengthen the individual but also the relationship.

This is a fair and important question. Not every licensed therapist is equipped to work with couples or families. It requires specific graduate-level training in systemic and relational therapy. Every therapist at ICFT holds an advanced degree in marriage and family therapy, so they are trained to provide an individual diagnostic assessment as well as to work with the relational system - whether that be with parents and children of all ages, couples, extended families, or individuals with aging parents. This systemic assessment also applies to the workplace and managing difficult co-workers, employees, or supervisors. That is why our services are often sought out by high-achieving professionals.

Yes. Everything discussed in therapy is protected by professional confidentiality. There are narrow, legally defined exceptions, such as situations involving imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, or certain disclosures involving children or seniors. Your therapist will walk you through the specifics during your first session, so you understand exactly what is and is not protected. In couple and family work, your clinician will also clarify their policy around individual sessions and what, if anything, is shared between partners.

That uncertainty is more common than you might think, and it is exactly what our intake process is designed to address. When you contact ICFT, our intake coordinator will hear the basics of your situation, ask a few clarifying questions, and point you toward the service or clinician that makes the most sense. You do not need to arrive with a diagnosis or a clear sense of what is wrong. You just need to be willing to start the conversation.

Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person counseling for many mental health concerns, including anxiety, stress, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Telehealth sessions use secure video technology that allows therapists and clients to connect in real time.

Absolutely! Telehealth is a game-changer when it comes to doing relationship therapy. Many couples and families participate in online counseling from separate locations. Telehealth allows partners to access therapy even when work schedules, travel, or distance would otherwise make sessions difficult.

Yes. ICFT provides online therapy to clients anywhere in Ohio.