Nurture the closeness we all desire.Couples counseling therapy improves communication, increases trust and closeness.
We have found that empathy, reflective listening, curiosity, and atunement foster communication both in the therapy room and throughout your life— fostering closeness as a couple. These tools build communication, increases trust and closeness, and allow us to help couples talk to each in new ways. After several visits, a client told me he heard himself say “and the story I am telling myself is you don’t care about what I think.” When you can share your thoughts and tell the story that you tell yourself, your partner can either confirm the message or reassure you that it is not true. No matter how much we value our partner, they are not mind readers.
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Sex therapy and couples therapy
In addition to all the “normal” and expected topics you would expect to find in a couples therapy session, couples counseling also often discusses sex. The difference between couples counseling and sex therapy is the focus. Sex therapy looks to address the emotions and traumas that impact sexual fulfillment. Sex therapy discusses expectations, needs, and roles, and helps partners find new ways of communicating about sex. Sex therapy, like couples counseling, never involves touching between the client and therapist.
Like chocolate in your hand
We often ask our couples if their partner knows the information they just shared in session. So often they will say one of several things: “I think so?”, “They must”, “I am sure they know”, or “I don’t think they do”. We ask them to share those sentiments directly to their partner, and, like chocolate melting in your hand, the couple melts and softens. Once this happens, they begin to see each other in ways that they hadn’t viewed their partner before. Perhaps this simple question and answer allows each of us to be heard and seen. Chris says, “I feel a sense of safety when I know my partner sees and hears me. It sort of makes me fall for him over and over again.” Couples sessions nurture the closeness we all desire. Couples therapy builds communication, increases trust, and improves closeness.
How does it work?
Couples therapy is no different than any other type of therapy. We discuss your thoughts, desires, perceptions, and feelings. Together, we overcome obstacles you are facing and foster improved communication techniques. We develop new understanding and goals.
Communities we serve
Littleton Couples Counseling offers both in-office/in-person and Zoom/teletherapy counseling appointments to accommodate your busy schedule, with offices both in Littleton and in the DTC. Littleton Couples Counseling provides kink-positive sex therapy, sex therapy, and adult ADHD coaching in communities throughout Denver, DTC, WashPark, Cherry Hills Village, Cherry Creek, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Englewood, Parker, Golden, Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Evergreen, Morrison, Greenwood Village, Thornton, Centennial, Arvada, and surrounding areas.
“Dreams that come with risk are worth pursuing.” —Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Make An AppointmentMarriage & Couples Counseling, Sex Therapy Our Clinicians Make The Difference
Why Choose an Integrated Therapist?
As integrated therapists, we are present in the session and curious to what you’re experiencing. We focus on marriage counseling, couples counseling, sex therapy and foster a nonjudgmental, compassionate, and supportive environment where you can safely explore communication styles, develop connections, and learn to express your needs. We help you develop the tools to grow closer to your partner. Littleton Couples Counseling understands the nuances required for successful sex therapy, marriage counseling, and couples counseling.
Chris Wilhoite MS, LMFT-S, CST, C-PST
Founder, Certified Psychosexual Therapist
Chris Wilhoite, founder of Littleton Couples Counseling, believes in couples. When she lost her husband to cancer in 2006, she promised herself she would do everything in her power to allow couples the opportunity to stay together and build a stronger relationships. Couples are made of individuals, and individuals have different needs. Chris is an extensively trained couples counselor, Certified Psychosexual Therapist with the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor in training. She presented her thesis, The role of body image and sexual shame in women’s sexual dysfunction, at the 2024 IAPST International Conference on Sex Therapy.
Tommy Underhill TTCD, ASDI, ASDCS
Sex, Adult ADHD & Adult Autism
As a person with AuDHD, Tommy gets it. He specializes in working with adults and executives with ADHD and autism. His training in neurophysiological approaches for social, relational, and sexual issues provides the framework for coaching people across the country. Tommy oversees the long-term and strategic management for Littleton Couple’s Counseling. His entrepreneurship and small business management and operations spans more than 30 years. He is a Founding member of the International Association of Psychosexual Therapists and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Psychosexual Therapy. Tommy presented his research on What every mental health professional needs to know about sex and autism at the 2024 IAPST International Conference on Sex Therapy.
Caitlin Bovard LPC, CST
Certified Sex Therapist, Couple’s Therapist, Relationships, LGBTQ+
As an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Caitlin works with individuals and relationships in all relationship structures including open relationships, ethical non-monogamous, poly, swinging, monogamous, casual and/or long-term relationships.
Ava Cohen Ph.D., LCSW, CST
Relationships & Sex, LGBTQIA+
As a Certified Sex Therapist, Ava is a compassionate therapist who is licensed in Colorado and Wyoming. She uses several different therapeutic modalities including: Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Family Systems and a client-centered, strengths-based approach. Ava is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and she holds a doctorate in sexology.
Shannon Kennealey LCSW, MFT
Adults, Teens, Families
Shannon works with teens, individuals, and families to unlock their inner capacities for strength, self determination, health and happiness, performance, well-being, and meaningful relationships. She takes an integrated approach that pulls from a variety of theoretical frameworks including, attachment theory, narrative therapy, self psychology, emotionally focused theory, and spiritual psychology.
Jennifer Livingston MSN, NP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric nurse practitioner
Jennifer is an integral element of the Littleton Couples Counseling team and brings a deep understanding of the psychopharmacological aspects of maternal mental health and women’s issues, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, anger, grief, and loss.
Chelsea Speegle DPT
Pelvic floor physical therapy
Chelsea Speegle is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) who specializes in pelvic health with a particular interest in helping pregnant and postpartum moms as well as men’s health. She works primarily at Activcore in Littleton, Colorado which is located inside the Women’s Health Care Associates OBGYN clinic.
Zachary Ripp MD OB/Gyn
Gynecologist in residence
Dr. Ripp offers a patient-centric and educational approach to care. He creates an open, comfortable space where his patients feel free to discuss their feelings and health issues and feel supported. He advocates for people with vulvas and facilitates care based on their choices and needs. Dr. Ripp wants to help minimize his patients’ apprehension about visiting the OB/GYN and provide a safe, supportive environment.
Korra
Compassionate Therapy Dog
People will tell a dog things they would never feel comfortable telling another human.Korra brings a lifetime of experience helping people who live with anxiety and depression feel more comfortable in their body. She specializes in working with people who need a calming influence in their lives.
Mālie
Therapy Dog in Training
Mālie (may-lee-uh) in Hawaiian is to be calm or experience serenity and often helps us in the counseling room, just not quite in the way we expected. She is a bundle of loving energy and excels in helping ADHD/ADD people reach threshold and experience more peace and focus.