Dr. Anne Parkford,
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Parkford Counseling Group


WELCOME TO MY PRACTICE
My Approach to Relational & Couples Therapy
Many people come to counseling because something in their life — or in their relationship — has started to feel painfully stuck. Maybe it's sadness that won't lift, or a distance between you and your partner that keeps growing no matter how hard you try to close it. This is exactly where I like to start.
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I specialize in relational and couples therapy, and I love this work — helping individuals and partners find their way through the moments that leave them feeling most alone, even when they're sitting right next to each other. Whether it's relationship struggles, communication breakdowns that turn small disagreements into bigger wounds, work stress that follows you home, or major life transitions like divorce or loss, I bring active, hands-on support to every session. So many of my clients come to couples therapy or marital therapy because their relationship feels strained, and they're not sure how to reconnect — that's the moment I most want to help with.
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My approach is grounded in Relational Life Therapy (RLT), which I use to help couples break the unhealthy patterns keeping them stuck, rebuild communication that actually feels heard, and restore the trust that's been worn down over time. I also draw on Attachment Theory, the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Imago Therapy — not because I believe in a one-size-fits-all model, but because every couple and every relationship is different, and a personalized approach gets better results.
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I'll be honest with you — my style is direct, but always compassionate. I don't just offer a space to be heard (though that matters deeply); I offer real tools you can actually use. Therapy, in my experience, works best as an interactive process — where we're not just talking about your relationship, but actively building the skills that will strengthen it, and your overall well-being, long after our sessions end.
CONTACT
Anne Parkford, PsyD, LMFT
CA Lic #34906
My office is located in downtown Santa Barbara, CA. Call or email me to set up a free 15-minute consultation.
26 West Mission St., #6
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 448-8839

