Melissa Fortunato, LMHC

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the States of Utah and New York. The pandemic led me out of NYC and on a journey to rediscovering my love for the outdoors, which is why I now call Utah home. I have experience working with diverse couples facing a wide range of issues. I’m Trained in Level 1 & 2 Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

Couples therapy will provide you and your partner the opportunity to learn, grow and heal together- with my support and guidance. The goal is to have both of you come together as a team to work through your difficulties and find a way to move forward. Couples therapy can help you and your partner in every phase of your relationship—at the early stages, before getting married, or after marriage. No matter where you are in your relationship, you don’t have to wait and hope that things will get better. Take action today, and help make your bond stronger.

Reach out today to set up a free 15 minute consultation call.

*Offering in person sessions in SLC

*Virtual sessions for UT and NY residents

Types of Therapy offered

  • Therapy focused on helping a couple work through challenges, understand their relationship better, and develop healthier ways of relating to one another.

    Some couples come to therapy and learn how to be better partners to each other, some couples come to therapy and realize they don't want to be together anymore. I’m here to help you discover the best choice for you and your partner and help you navigate the process as mindfully and efficiently as possible.

    See below for more information.

  • Individual counseling to address various relationship (romantic, familial, friendships, professional) issues surrounding communication, setting boundaries, finding your own voice

 Frequently asked questions

  • •Feeling disconnected or misunderstood

    •Frequent fights or conflicts

    •Infidelity, trust, or commitment issues

    •Differences in beliefs & decision-making

    •Major life changes

    •Disagreements over finances

    •Difficult or problematic communication

    •Trouble with sex life or intimacy

    •Problems related to raising children, parenting styles, & other family stressors

    Your relationship doesn’t have to be in crisis for therapy to make a difference. Perhaps your relationship only needs a boost, a chance to reconnect and learn new relationship skills. The truth is, every relationship can benefit from couples therapy. We all have space to grow and can lay the groundwork to prepare for challenges that may come our way.

  • Potential benefits:

    • Better understand you, your partner, and relationship

    • Improve healthy communication skills

    • Increase skills for conflict resolution and problem solving

    • Reduce feelings of resentment

    • Process past transgressions

    • Restore emotional and physical intimacy

    • Restore lost trust

    • Decrease emotional detachment or avoidance

  • It can take some couples years of therapy to work through issues, while others need just a few months. The length of time depends on the severity of the problem, plus the amount of effort a couple is willing to put in. I also offer single sessions for couples who just want support through one specific conversation.

  • The Gottman Method is an evidence-based approach to couples therapy. Main points include building friendship with your partner, resolving conflict, making meaning together, and minimizing the frequency of the four predictors of divorce, also known as the Four Horsemen: criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling, and contempt.

  • Couples therapy is not synonymous with marriage counseling. People in all types of committed relationships experience road bumps, so counseling for couples isn’t reserved for just one type of partnership. Still, you may be wondering whether it’s appropriate to go for counseling if you’re not married or engaged. The fact is that there’s no reason to hold off on therapy if you’re “just” dating – and in fact, seeing a professional sooner rather than later could be the defining factor that actually leads to relationship success. You can enter into therapy regardless of your living arrangements, or how long you have been together, or your sexual orientation.