Dr. Elena Vasquez, LMFT
Let's untangle the knots together.
Couples therapy for the tender, tricky stuff — when you're stuck in the same loops and ready for something to shift.
Austin, Texas · In-Person & Telehealth · 12 Years Experience
You're not broken.
You're two good people caught in patterns that don't feel good anymore.
Maybe it's the same argument on repeat. Maybe you've stopped arguing altogether and the silence feels louder. Maybe you're not sure when things shifted, but you know it doesn't feel like you anymore.
That's exactly where couples therapy starts — not when things are "bad enough," but when you're both brave enough to say "something needs to change."
What I Specialize In
The Tender, Tricky Stuff
Every couple has their own version of stuck. Here's where I can help.
Couples Therapy
For couples who keep having the same fight — or who've stopped fighting and started drifting. We'll find what's underneath the pattern and build something that actually works.
Attachment-Based Work
How you learned to love shapes how you love now. Together we'll explore those early blueprints and rewrite the parts that keep getting in the way.
Relationship Anxiety
The constant questioning, the fear of getting it wrong, the what-ifs that won't stop spinning. We'll untangle the anxiety from the relationship so you can actually be present in it.
My Approach
Therapy that Feels Like a Conversation, Not a Lecture
I'm trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment theory — but what that really means is I help you get underneath the surface stuff to what's actually going on.
We slow it down
Most couples arrive moving fast — fast arguments, fast assumptions, fast exits. The first thing we do is press pause. I'll help you actually hear each other, maybe for the first time in a while.
We find the pattern
Underneath every fight is a dance you've both memorized. The pursuer and the withdrawer. The over-functioner and the shut-down. We name it — gently — so you can see it without blame.
We untangle it together
This is the real work. Not fixing, not blaming — understanding. Why you each do what you do, what you're actually asking for, and how to reach each other in a way that lands.
About Me
Hi, I'm Elena.
I've spent 12 years sitting with couples in the hardest conversations of their lives — and I still consider it a privilege every time.
I became a couples therapist because I believe relationships are where we do our bravest, most vulnerable work. And I've always been drawn to the messy, honest, real parts of love — not the highlight reel.
My style is warm but direct. I'll call out patterns with compassion, ask the questions you've been avoiding, and occasionally make you laugh at a moment you didn't expect. I don't do cold, clinical therapy — I do human therapy.
When I'm not in session, you'll probably find me exploring Austin's food scene, attempting pottery (emphasis on attempting), or reading something that has nothing to do with psychology.
Working Together
How We Meet
Whether you're across the couch or across the state, the work is the same — honest, warm, and tailored to you.
In-Person Sessions
Austin, Texas
Meet in my warm, comfortable office in Austin. There's something about being in the same room — reading body language, sharing space — that can deepen the work.
- ✦ 50-minute sessions
- ✦ Couples & individual
- ✦ Safe, private office space
Telehealth Sessions
Anywhere in Texas
Same depth, different setting. Video sessions work beautifully for couples who are juggling schedules, live outside Austin, or just feel more comfortable at home.
- ✦ 50-minute sessions
- ✦ Secure video platform
- ✦ Available throughout Texas
What to Expect in Your First Session
We talk. A free 15-minute call to see if we're a good fit. No pressure, just conversation.
We meet. Your first session is about your story — what brought you here, what you're hoping for.
We begin. Together we map out a plan that makes sense for where you are right now.
Ready to start?
The Hardest Part Is Making the Call. Everything After That Gets Easier.
A free 15-minute consultation — just a conversation to see if we're a good fit. No commitment, no pressure, no therapy-speak. Just two humans talking.
FAQ
Questions You Might Be Wondering About
No question is too small. Here are the ones I hear most.
Do both partners need to come?
Ideally, yes — couples therapy works best when both people are in the room. But if your partner isn't ready yet, we can start with individual sessions focused on relationship patterns. Sometimes one person starting opens the door for both.
How long does couples therapy take?
Every couple is different. Some find what they need in 8-12 sessions, others benefit from longer-term work. I don't believe in keeping you in therapy longer than you need — we'll check in regularly and adjust as we go.
What if my partner doesn't want to come?
That's more common than you'd think, and it doesn't mean things are hopeless. I can work with you individually on relationship dynamics. Often, when one partner starts making changes, it shifts things enough that the other gets curious.
Do you take insurance?
I'm an out-of-network provider. I can give you a superbill to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. Many PPO plans cover a significant portion. I'm happy to discuss finances openly — money shouldn't be a barrier to getting help.
What's the difference between couples therapy and individual therapy?
In individual therapy, you're the client. In couples therapy, the relationship is the client. I'm not on anyone's side — I'm on the side of your relationship. My job is to help you both feel heard and work toward something better together.
Is it too late for us?
If you're asking the question, it's usually not too late. The fact that you're here, reading this, means part of you is still fighting for this. I've seen couples in very tough places find their way back to each other. The willingness to try is what matters most.
Get in Touch
Let's Have a Conversation
Reaching out is the brave part. Whether you call, email, or fill out the form — I'll get back to you within 24 hours.