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111 licensed therapists & providers in Pennsylvania—13 in Media. Available as soon as today, in person and online
Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more
We accept UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, BCBS Plans, Humana, Aetna, & many more. Self-pay options available, no membership fees
94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months
Discover how starting couples/marriage therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
As a health provider and social justice advocate, my work is informed by providing a safe space for healing....
About
As a health provider and social justice advocate, my work is informed by providing a safe space for healing.
Desiree Ross is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 20 years of experience. Desiree has collaborated with clients from diverse cultures and of all ages seeking support for issues such as anxiety, depression, interpersonal challenges, loss, health concerns, stress, oppression, identity, and navigating life transitions. Additionally, she is seasoned in the treatment of adults with PTSD, unresolved trauma, grief, and emotional attachment concerns.
Desiree earned her Master’s degree from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Fordham University-New York City. She had the privilege of performing with a renowned ballet company as a classically trained dancer prior to providing talk therapy. Her experiences with people through the creative arts interwoven with her understanding of healing through supportive, guided, and committed connectedness have enabled her to work successfully with people of varying backgrounds.
Therapy outcome is very much the result of the unique rapport between client and therapist. To that end, Desiree is attentive, non-judgmental, person-centered, and culturally responsive in her approach. She is LGBTQIA+-affirming and uses an anti-oppressive lens in her practice. She looks forward to meeting with you for an appointment.
Education and training
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Since 2015, I’ve worked in the mental health field supporting individuals through life’s many challenges....
Since 2015, I’ve worked in the mental health field supporting individuals through life’s many challenges.
I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 10 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through life transitions, relationship challenges, stress, and emotional overwhelm. I specialize in helping clients strengthen communication, deepen connection, and navigate conflict in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. I also work with teenagers dealing with anxiety, school pressure, grief, and identity-related stressors, as well as adults who feel stuck or unsure of their next steps.
I earned my master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Liberty University, where I developed a strong foundation in systems work, communication strategies, and evidence-based approaches. My clinical approach integrates solution-focused, strength-based, and mindfulness-based techniques tailored to each client’s needs.
I believe therapy should feel safe, collaborative, and grounded in compassion. Whether you’re facing relationship difficulties, personal stress, or major life changes, I will help you find clarity, build resilience, and create healthier patterns. You don’t have to navigate it alone. We can work together to move toward meaningful, lasting change.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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My go-to approach for helping people in couples counseling is emotionally focused therapy (EFT). I prefer EFT because it focuses on the process and underlying emotions for communication and conflict. It provides a relational focus and communication enhancement skills that help each individual grow in their self-awareness and relational awareness.
I teach the following tools in couples/marriage counseling:
I know a couple is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when they begin to talk more openly with I-statements and utilizing active listening without escalated arguments. Couples may even begin to notice their perspective shift and highlight their own empowerment, have increased awareness of their triggers, and acknowledge their part in the communication cycle. Additionally, we will set goals for the relationship and work towards a concrete amount, for example increasing communication skills or decreasing escalated interactions. I always like to preface that progress is not linear and will be an ongoing tool during treatment to challenge assumptions and relational triggers.
Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling with daily check-ins and reflections with their partner, scheduling bonding time for each week, and practice communication skills outside of session. Clients can always seek individual counseling as an additional resource to target individual needs that may arise during couples counseling.
To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, you can gain a clear idea about the goals for your relationship and a timeline of your relationship. Also it helps to create a space in your home that feels comfortable and private for couples sessions.
Couples therapy and marriage counseling, also known as relationship counseling, helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy and marriage counseling include:
The types of therapy used in couples and marriage counseling include:
At Thriveworks, Couples/marriage therapy is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples.
The Gottman Method of couples therapy is a research-supported approach designed to enhance relationships by bolstering the bond between partners, resolving conflicts, and fostering shared meaning in their relationship through comprehensive assessments and tailored interventions that improve communication, trust, and the overall health of the partnership.
If you’re facing persistent relationship problems, communication breakdowns, or unresolved conflicts that are impacting your emotional well-being and happiness, Couples/marriage therapy may be beneficial for you.
While marriage and couple’s counseling is typically recommended for couples who are experiencing persistent or severe relationship issues, any relationship can benefit from attending these sessions.
Marriage and couples counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.
On average, couples attend marriage and couples counseling for 12 weeks. However, couples & marriage counseling may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
When you decide to get married, you believe that you have found your life partner, someone who you can build a future with. But marriages can and will be affected by numerous issues. Everything from work, children, finances, and family can add stress to the relationship and affect the marriage.
When breakdowns happen, that’s when couples counseling can help. Call Thriveworks Media, PA to get started with a marriage and couples counseling therapist who can help both partners find a greater sense of security and balance in their relationship.
First and foremost, you should seek couples counseling as soon as possible to prevent breakdowns that can occur when bad habits form leading to hurt feelings that are hard to overcome and can often leading to a breaking point. If you are concerned about repeating past mistakes, you could benefit from couples counseling. If you are concerned about the role your families may be playing on your life, you may benefit from couples counseling. If communication, trust, or infidelity have become an issue and you are feeling stuck in your relationship, then you could benefit from couples counseling. At Thriveworks Counseling, in Delaware County, Media, PA, we have experienced couples counselors who can help.
Couples counseling is very effective, particularly when both partners are ready and committed to working on the relationship. At Thriveworks Counseling, we will help you identify what your other needs are, any past hurts or fears that are affecting you or your partner individually, any behavioral patterns that are damaging your relationship, and help you to improve your communication skills and conflict resolution skills. We will help you decide how you define a successful and happy marriage or relationship, and help you to improve trust, affection, openness, and communication.
Some of the following are evidence-based couples and marriage counseling approaches that the providers at Thriveworks Media are likely to use:
If you’re ready to see the difference that a mental health professional can make, call Thriveworks in Media, PA to get started. When you do, our support team will help you with the process: everything from setting up your insurance to booking your first session is made easy with their help.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Media is located near N Jackson St and W 6th St, off Baltimore Pike. It is near the Delaware County Courthouse and Glen Providence Park.
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111 therapists available in Pennsylvania, including 13 in Media
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