Do you accept insurance?

Mike McCabe Counseling is a private-pay practice. This allows complete clinical focus without insurance dictating session length or frequency. Superbills are available for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

What if my partner doesn't want to come to therapy?

This is common. Often one partner is more ready. Book the consultation yourself and we can talk through how to approach the conversation with your partner.

What's your approach to couples therapy?

My approach draws from Relational Life Therapy and Gottman research. It's direct and active — I interrupt destructive patterns in real time, name what's happening underneath the surface argument, and give you concrete tools that work between sessions.

Couples Therapy · Westlake Austin

You didn't stop loving each other. You stopped being able to talk without it turning into a fight.

The distance became normal. The same arguments keep cycling. You've tried being patient, tried space, maybe even tried therapy before — and you're still here. That's not failure. That's the moment most couples are in when they find me.

Take the first step or call/text (512) 270-9864

Direct, results-driven approach

Relational Life Therapy trained

Weekly sessions & marriage intensives

Westlake · West Austin · Bee Cave

Sound familiar?

The patterns that bring couples to my office

The same fight on repeat

Different topic, same escalation. You both know the script by heart — and you're exhausted by it. The issue isn't the dishes or the schedule. It's what's happening underneath.

The growing distance

You're in the same house but living separate lives. The silence isn't peaceful — it's what's left when trying to talk feels too risky. You're roommates running a household, not partners.

The breaking point

Trust has been broken. Someone said the word "divorce." You're not sure if this can be saved — but you're not ready to give up without knowing you tried everything.

How I work

This isn't therapy where you sit and vent for 50 minutes

Most couples I see have tried being patient. Some have tried therapy before. What they haven't tried is someone who interrupts the patterns in real time, names what's actually happening underneath the surface argument, and gives you a concrete framework for talking to each other differently — starting this week.

My approach draws primarily from Terry Real's Relational Life Therapy, combined with Gottman research. It's direct and active. I don't sit back and watch you argue. I step in, slow things down, and show you what's really driving the disconnect. Then we build a new way to communicate that actually holds up outside the therapy room.

See if we're a good fit →

Mike McCabe Jr., LCSW
Couples Specialist · Westlake Austin

Two paths forward

Weekly therapy or an intensive — here's how to decide

Weekly Couples Therapy

Best when you're stuck but stable.

You can tolerate the pace of weekly sessions. You're not in immediate crisis, but things aren't getting better on their own. We work through patterns week by week, building new communication habits over time.

Get started

Marriage Intensive

Best when things are urgent.

You're considering separation, trust has been shattered, or weekly sessions aren't moving fast enough. A half-day, full-day, or two-day intensive gives you concentrated, focused work without waiting weeks between breakthroughs.

Learn about intensives →

Common questions

What you're probably wondering

Weekly therapy works well for couples who are stuck but stable — you can tolerate the pace of one session a week. A marriage intensive is for when things are urgent: you're considering separation, trust has been broken, or you've tried weekly therapy and it wasn't enough. The free consultation helps us figure out which is right for you.

Mike McCabe Counseling is a private-pay practice. We don't accept insurance directly. This allows us to focus entirely on what's best for you clinically, without insurance companies dictating session length or frequency. We can provide superbills for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

This is more common than you think. Often one partner is more ready than the other. Reach out yourself — we can talk through strategies for getting your partner on board, and I can help you understand what might be driving their hesitation.

It depends on what you're dealing with. Some couples see significant shifts in 8-12 weeks of focused weekly sessions. Others, especially those dealing with deep-rooted patterns or trust ruptures, benefit from longer engagement or a marriage intensive to accelerate the work.

I draw primarily from Terry Real's Relational Life Therapy (RLT), combined with Gottman research. RLT is direct — it names the patterns, holds both partners accountable, and focuses on getting results, not just insight. I interrupt destructive dynamics in real time and give you tools you can use immediately between sessions.

My office is at 5524 Bee Caves Road, Suite E2, in West Lake Hills — right in the heart of Westlake Austin. I serve couples from West Lake Hills, Westlake, Bee Cave, Lakeway, and greater Austin.

Take the first step

The hardest part is deciding to do something different

Fill out the form and I'll get back to you within 24 hours — usually much sooner. We'll set up a free 20-minute phone consultation to talk about what's going on and figure out the right next step together.

No pressure. No commitment. Just a conversation about what's possible.

Prefer to call or text? (512) 270-9864