--- title: "Online Couples Therapist | Fanshen Thompson, LCSW" description: "Berkeley LCSW offering couples, individual, and sex therapy online to California residents. 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I see clients online anywhere in California, via secure video." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is this covered by insurance?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "I'm a private-pay provider and don't bill insurance directly. I can provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement — many PPO plans cover a percentage. Investment is shared during the consultation." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do you work with all kinds of relationships?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. I work with married, partnered, dating, gay, straight, monogamous, and non-monogamous relationships. My approach is humanist — meaning it adapts to the relationship in front of me rather than specializing in any one configuration." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I expect in a free consultation?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A 20-minute video call where you can share what's bringing you here. I'll share how my approach might support your situation. Together we'll determine if working together is the right fit. No pressure, no commitment." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://fanshenthompson.com/#webpage", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", ".hero-subtitle" ] } } ] --- [![Fanshen Thompson, LCSW](/assets/logo-mark-DCWEUPFA.png)Fanshen Thompson LCSW ](/) [Home](/)[About](/about) Services Specialties [Approach](/approach/gottman-method)[Notes](/blog)[FAQ](/faq)[Resources](/resources) [Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation](/contact) ![](/assets/hero-wheat-D-tUYS4c.jpg) Online Relationship & Sex Therapy # Online Couples Therapy in California Create a relationship that feels safe, supportive, and deeply connected—where intimacy, trust, and emotional closeness can be restored — or built for the very first time. [Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation](/contact)[See how this works →](#work) You don't have to keep living like this. [Scroll ](#work) If you're sitting with any of this ## You don't have to keep _living like this._ You're stuck in the same patterns — and no matter how much you talk, nothing actually shifts. You feel like you're talking in circles, or not really being heard. Small things turn into big arguments — or things never get addressed at all. You're carrying resentment, but don't know how to move through it. You miss feeling close, connected, and _desired._ You've read all the books — tried to implement tools — but still no change. You love your partner — but don't feel as connected as you used to. Part of you wonders, _'Is this just how it's going to be?'_ ![](/assets/editorial-2-DitgELCh.jpg) You know something needs to really change — but you don't know how to make it actually happen. ![](/assets/editorial-5-DXeIGqhS.jpg) ## That's where this work _begins._ Most therapy teaches you how to talk about the people frustrating you. I teach you how to change what happens next. A lot of clients come to me after years of therapy that focused outward — processing what everyone else in their life is doing wrong, and how frustrating that is. It's validating, but it doesn't always change anything. My approach flips the lens inward: not because the other people don't matter, but because you're the only person in the relationship you actually have the power to shift. And it turns out that's incredibly good news — because it means you're not stuck waiting for someone else to change first. ## You can't rewrite other people. You can rewrite your part. Clients tell me the shift is less about learning new things and more about _feeling different_ — more confident, less powerless, more like the author of their own story instead of a character reacting to everyone else's. That confidence doesn't stay in the relationship you came in to work on. It shows up at work, in how you carry yourself, in how much less exhausting your life feels. Therapy that looks inward, so your life can change outward. The Work ## What you'll begin to _experience._ 01 ### Understand what's beneath the conflict Stop repeating the same painful cycles and begin to soften toward each other. 02 ### Recognize your triggers Learn to pause, stay grounded, and respond in a way that creates connection instead of distance. 03 ### Shift out of survival patterns Move back into partnership, so your relationship becomes something you actively nurture again. 04 ### Access what you're truly feeling Express it honestly, even when it feels vulnerable or risky. 05 ### Reconnect with yourself Show up more fully, clearly, and authentically underneath the hurt. 06 ### Open honest conversations about intimacy Deepen this part of your relationship rather than avoiding or disconnecting from it. Ways to work together ## Three paths in. _One destination._ [Not sure which? Talk to me →](/contact) [ 01 ### Therapy for Couples Weekly · California Open-ended weekly therapy for couples ready to do honest, lasting work together. ](/therapy/couples) [ 02 ### Therapy for Individuals Weekly · California One-on-one work to heal patterns, even when your partner isn't in the room. ](/therapy/individuals) [ 03 ### Sex Therapy Weekly · California A grounded, shame-free space for exploration of desire, intimacy, and sexual connection. ](/therapy/sex-therapy) ![Portrait of Fanshen Thompson, LCSW, seated in warm natural light with a calm, attentive expression.](/assets/seated-close-kTBob69U.jpg) Your Therapist ## Hi, I'm _Fanshen._ I'm a Berkeley-based relationship and sex therapist helping California couples and individuals move out of disconnection and into real, lasting change. My work focuses on shifting the patterns that keep you stuck — so you can communicate differently, reconnect more deeply, and create a relationship that truly feels good to be in. I bring a grounded, compassionate presence to this process, supporting you through honest conversations and meaningful change. You don't have to navigate this alone. [Read more about Fanshen →](/about) LCSW #25004 · Licensed in California · 10+ years of practice The Work > In this work, I've watched couples move from circling the same pain to finding language for what was underneath all along — and I've watched individuals come home to themselves in ways that change everything else. — Fanshen Thompson, LCSW A glimpse ## The feeling of this work. Quiet, grounded, honest. Below are visual anchors of what our space together feels like. ![A couple sitting close on a couch in warm afternoon light, looking at each other with gentle smiles.](/assets/editorial-1-CUS3dkRV.jpg) ![Two people wrapped in striped and mustard-colored blankets, standing close together by a lake.](/assets/editorial-4-D0znZ1bL.jpg) ![A person with long dark hair and an orange sweater, holding their face in their hands in a moment of distress.](/assets/editorial-2-DitgELCh.jpg) ![A Black couple sitting on a bed in a bright room, with one partner comforting the other.](/assets/editorial-3-JPi468d6.jpg) ![Two people holding sparklers close together at twilight, surrounded by trees.](/assets/editorial-6-CkCOQxfH.jpg) ![An open hand reaching toward a low sunset over a calm ocean.](/assets/editorial-7-BmHnaSP6.jpg) A glimpse ## The feeling of _this work._ Not what therapy looks like — what it feels like. The slow exhale of being understood. A quiet question that opens something. Sitting with what's been hard to say. Who I work with ## I absolutely work with _all kinds of relationships:_ - Married - Partnered - Dating - Gay - Straight - Monogamous - Non-monogamous However, I have a humanist approach, meaning I don't specialize in any one of those areas. In my experience, my approach applies to any and all humans. If you're looking for a specialist in one of those areas, I might not be the right fit for you. Two Paths ## Couples or individual — _which fits you?_ California ### Couples Therapy For partners ready to do honest work together. - Weekly 50, 75, or 90-min sessions - Online via secure video - For couples ready to repair, reconnect, and grow - Open-ended, at the pace that's right for you - California residents [Explore Couples Therapy →](/therapy/couples) California ### Individual Therapy One-on-one work for relational growth. - Weekly 45-min sessions - One-on-one, online via secure video - For relational patterns, intimacy, and growth - Whether or not your partner is involved - California residents [Explore Individual Therapy →](/therapy/individuals) What to expect ## In a _20-minute consultation._ In our 20-minute video call, you'll have a chance to share what's bringing you here, and I will share a little bit about how my approach might work to support your situation. We'll then determine if working together is a good fit. [Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation](/contact) Common questions ## Before we _begin._ A few of the questions I hear most. The full list lives on the FAQ page. [See all questions →](/faq) Do I have to be in California? Yes. I see clients online anywhere in California, via secure video. Is this covered by insurance? Do you work with all kinds of relationships? What should I expect in a free consultation? Begin ## Asking for help takes _courage._ There's a part of you that knows — love can feel lighter, and life can feel better. Trust that part. When you do, I'll help you uncover what's beneath the surface, so lasting healing and deeper connection can take root. [Begin your transformation →](/contact) ![A couple sitting close together in soft window light, leaning in for a quiet conversation.](/assets/still-life-nEvbfSKy.jpg) Newsletter ## Occasional letters — _never spam._ Please join my email list for occasional tips and resources about relationships, as well as updates about my new offerings. Sign up Information is confidential and used only for sharing resources. 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Licensed Clinical Social Worker · LCSW #25004 [](https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/971893) Affiliations ![Gesher Community Care affiliate provider](/__l5e/assets-v1/7e4684e6-648d-48d4-892e-5c8678e89c88/gesher-community-care.png) Online Therapy Sessions held via secure video for clients across California. Hours Tue–Fri, 9am–6pm PT Contact [fanshen@fanshenthompson.com](mailto:fanshen@fanshenthompson.com)[Book a Free 20-Minute Consultation](/contact) [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/fanshen-thompson-lcsw-672425216/)[](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086164215212)[](https://pin.it/5enxDfD) Explore - [About](/about) - [Therapy](/therapy) - [Therapy for Couples](/therapy/couples) - [Therapy for Individuals](/therapy/individuals) - [Sex Therapy](/therapy/sex-therapy) - [Coaching](/coaching) - [Notes](/blog) - [FAQ](/faq) - [Resources](/resources) - [Relationship Therapy in Berkeley](/relationship-therapy-berkeley) - [Find an Online Sex Therapist](/how-to-find-an-online-sex-therapist) - [Contact](/contact) Specialties - [Infidelity & Affair Recovery](/specialties/infidelity-affair-recovery) - [Desire Discrepancy](/specialties/desire-discrepancy) - [Sexual Shame](/specialties/sexual-shame) - [Communication Breakdown](/specialties/communication-breakdown) - [Anxious Attachment](/specialties/anxious-attachment-couples) - [Parenting Conflict](/specialties/parenting-conflict) In crisis? If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call or text [988](tel:988) (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call [911](tel:911). This site is not a substitute for emergency care. [Privacy](/privacy.html)[Terms](/terms.html)[Cookies](/cookie.html)[Disclosures](/disclaimers.html)[Good Faith Estimate](/good-faith-estimate.html)[Accessibility](/accessibility)[Cookie Settings](/cookie.html) Contacting this practice does not establish a therapist–client relationship. Individual outcomes vary. Nothing on this site guarantees a specific clinical result. © 2026 Fanshen Thompson, LCSW. All rights reserved. Photography by Allison Busch Website by [Automaus.ai](https://automaus.ai) Your privacy matters Functional cookies are required. Analytics and marketing cookies are off by default — you choose. 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