Skip to main content
(310) 375-8665
Complete Family ServicesDr. Corinne Hickson Barez, PhD
Begin Intake
Adult & couples therapy

Therapy for adults, partners, and the spaces in between.

Whether you're navigating a personal challenge, a life transition, or a relationship that needs attention, therapy provides the space to understand what's happening, why it's happening, and how to move forward with clarity.

Begin intake
A warm, inviting therapy space suggesting connection and conversation
Individual therapy

When to consider therapy for yourself.

Most adults arrive at therapy not because of a dramatic crisis, but because of a persistent sense that something isn't working the way it should. The anxiety that used to be manageable has become a constant companion. The sadness or irritability lingers longer than it used to. A life transition (a divorce, a career change, a loss, a new stage of parenthood) has left you without the footing you once had.

Therapy is not a sign that something is wrong with you. It's a decision to take your inner life as seriously as you take everything else. Dr. Hickson Barez works with adults across a wide range of concerns, bringing the same depth, warmth, and clinical rigor that defines all of our practice's work.

Common concerns

What adults bring to therapy.

These are the concerns we hear most often from adult clients. If something resonates, it's worth a conversation.

Anxiety

Chronic worry, overthinking, physical symptoms of stress, avoidance of situations, panic attacks, and a nervous system that never quite settles.

Depression

Persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, and a sense that the color has drained from daily life.

Life transitions

Divorce, career changes, becoming a parent, empty nest, retirement, relocation, loss, and the identity questions that come with any major change.

Relationship challenges

Communication breakdowns, trust issues, conflict patterns, emotional distance, and the feeling that your relationship has lost its way.

Self-esteem and identity

Persistent self-doubt, perfectionism, difficulty setting boundaries, people-pleasing, and the gap between who you are and who you feel you should be.

Grief and loss

The death of a loved one, loss of a relationship, loss of health or ability, and any experience of grief that hasn't resolved on its own timeline.

Couples work

Couples therapy: what it is and what it isn't.

Couples therapy is not about taking sides. It is not about declaring a winner. And it is not about saving a relationship at any cost. It is about understanding the patterns that have developed between two people: how they communicate, how they handle conflict, what they need from each other, and where those needs are going unmet.

Dr. Hickson Barez works with the relationship as the client. That means both partners are heard, both perspectives are valued, and the therapeutic work focuses on the dynamic between them rather than on fixing one person. Some couples come in to repair after a betrayal. Others come because they've drifted apart and want to reconnect. Some come to decide, with clarity and respect, whether to stay together.

All of these are valid reasons to begin. The first session is about understanding what brought you in and establishing a shared sense of direction for the work ahead.

Before the wedding

Premarital counseling.

Premarital counseling is one of the most proactive things a couple can do. Not because something is wrong, but because marriage brings together two people with different families of origin, different communication styles, and different assumptions about how life should work. Addressing these differences before they become sources of friction gives couples a significant advantage.

Sessions explore communication and conflict patterns, financial expectations, family-of-origin influences, parenting philosophies, career priorities, and how to handle disagreement in a way that strengthens the relationship rather than eroding it. Couples who invest in this work before marriage consistently report feeling more prepared, more connected, and more confident in their partnership.

What to expect

Process & format.

Sessions are 50 minutes for individual therapy and 50–80 minutes for couples work, depending on what the clinical situation requires. We offer both in-person sessions at our Torrance office and telehealth sessions via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform for California residents.

Frequency is typically weekly at the start, shifting to biweekly or monthly as progress allows. We are an out-of-network provider and collect payment at the time of service. We provide a detailed superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

The first step is always a phone conversation or an intake form. From there, Dr. Hickson Barez will help you determine whether individual therapy, couples therapy, or another service is the right fit for where you are right now.

Working with Dr. Hickson Barez has saved my life. She challenges me in ways that actually help me grow, and I've never felt more understood by a therapist.

Client · Rolling Hills Estates
Frequently asked

Questions about adult & couples therapy.

What is the difference between individual therapy and couples therapy?+
Individual therapy focuses on one person's internal experience: their thoughts, emotions, patterns, and goals. Couples therapy treats the relationship itself as the client. Both partners attend sessions together, and the therapist works with the dynamic between them rather than taking sides. Some people benefit from both simultaneously, with individual therapy for personal work and couples therapy for relational work. Dr. Hickson Barez can help you determine which format, or combination, makes the most sense for your situation.
What should we expect in the first couples session?+
The first session is an assessment, not a confrontation. Dr. Hickson Barez meets with both partners together to understand each person's perspective on the relationship, the concerns that brought you in, and what you each hope to get from therapy. She may also schedule brief individual sessions with each partner to gather history and context that might not emerge in a joint setting. The goal of the first session is to establish safety, define shared goals, and create a roadmap for the work ahead. Most couples feel relieved after the first session, not overwhelmed.
How long does couples therapy typically last?+
Couples therapy timelines vary widely depending on the issues involved. Some couples work through a specific conflict or transition in 8–12 sessions. Others engage in longer-term work to address deep-seated patterns, rebuild trust after a betrayal, or strengthen a relationship that has been struggling for years. Sessions are typically weekly at the outset and may shift to biweekly as progress is made. Dr. Hickson Barez checks in regularly about goals and direction so that therapy stays focused and purposeful.
Do you offer premarital counseling?+
Yes. Premarital counseling is an opportunity to strengthen your relationship before the wedding, not a sign that something is wrong. Sessions focus on communication patterns, conflict resolution, expectations around finances and family, and the ways each partner's family of origin shapes how they show up in the relationship. Premarital counseling also provides a space to discuss topics that couples often avoid: division of labor, parenting philosophies, career priorities, and how to handle disagreements. Couples who do this work before marriage tend to navigate challenges more effectively when they arise.
Can we do couples therapy via telehealth?+
Yes. Telehealth couples sessions are available for California residents and are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Many couples find telehealth convenient, especially when coordinating two schedules. The therapeutic process is equally effective whether conducted in person at our Torrance office or via telehealth. Dr. Hickson Barez will recommend in-person sessions if the clinical situation calls for it, but for most couples, telehealth is a fully effective option.
When is the right time to start therapy?+
The best time is before things feel urgent. Many people wait until they're in crisis. The relationship is on the verge of ending, the anxiety has become unmanageable, or the depression has deepened to the point where daily life feels impossible. Therapy is most effective when it begins while you still have energy and motivation to do the work. That said, it's never too late. Whether you're navigating a life transition, processing something from the past, or simply feeling stuck, the first session is about figuring out where to start.
Dr. Corinne Hickson Barez, PhD

Reviewed by

Dr. Corinne Hickson Barez, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY17257) with 30+ years of experience. Founder of Complete Family Services, Inc. in Torrance, California. More than 20 years of experience as a court-appointed 730 Child Custody Evaluator. Author of the forthcoming Life's Lessonschildren's book series. Co-author of a chapter in The Handbook of Juvenile Forensic Psychology.

Read full bio →
Related services

Explore related support.

Child & Teen Therapy

Compassionate, developmentally attuned therapy for children and teenagers navigating anxiety, depression, social struggles, and family changes.

Learn more

Divorce & Family Transitions

Support for children and families navigating divorce, blended families, and the emotional upheaval of major life changes.

Learn more

Parent Consultation

Guidance and strategies for parents. Practical support for navigating the challenges you're seeing at home, without your child in the room.

Learn more

Ready to begin? We'd be honored to help.

The first step is a conversation. Call or submit an intake form, and we'll help you figure out the right path forward, whether that's individual therapy, couples work, or something else entirely.

Call (310) 375-8665Begin intake online