IVANA TUFEKCIC, LMFT

You're sitting there wondering when you and your partner became polite strangers who happen to share a mortgage. The kids are finally more independent (hallelujah!), but instead of feeling closer, you feel further apart than ever. You try to connect, but it's like you're speaking Mandarin while they're responding in ancient Greek. You're both running on fumes, and every conversation feels like negotiating a business deal. I see you, and I want you to know - you're not failing. You're just out of practice. As a couples therapist specializing in midlife relationships in Sacramento, I work with couples who've spent years putting everyone else first and now find themselves wondering where their connection went. That distance you're feeling isn't permanent damage - it's what happens when two people have been running on empty for too long. Using evidence-based approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), I help couples move from feeling like roommates back to being partners who actually enjoy each other's company. The truth is, your relationship won't magically fix itself when life gets less chaotic (spoiler alert: it won't). It needs attention, just like everything else you've been carefully tending to for years. In our work together, you'll learn to speak the same language again, understand why you both went silent, and rebuild intimacy through structured exercises and safe conversations. I've guided many Sacramento couples back from exactly where you are right now. You don't have to figure this out alone. If you're ready to stop feeling like strangers and start feeling like partners again, let's talk. Couples therapy in Sacramento doesn't have to be another overwhelming task on your list, it can be the thing that finally brings you back to each other. Want to make an in person couples counseling appointment in Sacramento? We'd love to hear from you 916.606.7458 This practice is inclusive, affirming and welcoming to all.