A Dream That Became a Reality:
Our Story
About the Founder & CTI
Hi, I’m Dr. Kathy McMahon. Most people call me Dr. K.
In 2013, I woke from a dream—and I knew what I had to do. I needed to put together a team of international experts who were as devoted as I was to doing exceptional couples therapy.
Couples therapy is really hard work, and few people do it well. You have to be willing to be disliked by at least one person in the room for some period of time.
Maybe both.
It’s a profession that requires raw determination. It requires a dreamer who still believes in the power of love—and a realist who knows how destructive people can be in the name of love.
Too many therapists prioritise being liked over being effective. But if as a therapist, your goal is to be liked in couples therapy, you will soon return to seeing individuals.
It takes a special kind of person to be a couples therapist, and good ones are exceedingly hard to find.
Ask me how I know.
I went in search of one years ago to save my marriage, and I ended up losing it anyway. This counsellor practised couples therapy the “normal” way: 50 minutes once a week, with no diagnostic assessment ahead of time. And like most couples, my ex and I went four times and quit.
It’s still practised this way, trying to squeeze two people into a time slot designed for one. Just enough time to get into an angry fight—but not enough time to get anywhere in it.
It still makes me angry.
We see couples who’ve already seen one, two, sometimes three or more therapists—and got no real help.
Practising couples therapy the way we do changes people. Not just the clients, either. It forces the clinician to grow too—to say hard things in a loving way.
This work has made me sharper. Humbler. It makes me determined to build a team that tells the truth kindly—and never looks away. If they can’t do that, they can’t stay as part of this team. It’s as simple as that.
Try to please two people in a troubled marriage and you end up pleasing no one—and losing your integrity to boot.
I built this team because I got tired of therapists treading water while couples were going under.
You deserve clarity, not comfort. Structure, not just sympathy. We’re here to fight for your relationship-when it matters most.
You deserve clarity, not comfort. Structure, not just sympathy. We’re here to fight for your relationship-when it matters most.
Why We Exist
Because you deserve a couples therapist who doesn’t flinch.
Couples Therapy Inc. is a global team of science-based, deeply trained couples therapists. We help people repair when it matters most.
I built CTI to offer what I couldn’t find.
We don’t offer platitudes. We offer real therapy. Not “how does that make you feel?” on repeat—but direct, emotionally intelligent work.
We name what’s actually happening. Even when it’s buried under years of resentment. Even when it comes wrapped in charm or “hurt feelings.”
Because sometimes, the one doing the most damage… is the one who says they’re hurting most.
Who We Are
We’re not generalists. We’re not dabblers.
We’re a curated team of clinicians—handpicked from thousands of applicants—who live and breathe couples therapy.
Our therapists are warm, grounded, and incredibly sharp. They’re trained in Gottman, EFT, the Developmental Model, RLT, Imago, and more—but more importantly, they know when to step in. To challenge, not just empathise. To guide, not just listen.
We meet monthly to review cases, sharpen skills, and support each other. Because this work is too important—and too complex—to do alone.
“We name what’s happening—
even when it’s hard to hear.”
What Makes Us Different?
For over a decade, Couples Therapy Inc. has helped 3500+ couples in a couples therapy retreat format. It is all we have ever done, and we’ve gotten very good at it.
Our professionals are exceptional. Our assessment tool is designed specifically for effective intensive work. We are intentionally international and multicultural, constantly learning and evolving to improve our approach.
Our Mission
Our mission is to change the face of couples therapy. Now in our second decade, we remain leaders in intensive couples counselling, helping relationships thrive. Our specialty is science-based couples therapy—practical, structured, and transformative.
What We Stand For
We work with very troubled marriages.
We also work with newlyweds, second-timers, slow-faders, stuck caretakers, and people who love their partner and want to throttle them.
We name what’s happening—even when it’s hard to hear. We don’t play nice with passive aggression, manipulation, or shame spirals.
We’ve seen emotional abuse cloaked in “honesty”. Sex used as proof of worth. Partners pretending to commit while secretly checking out. And “I’m the hurt one” used to justify cruelty.
We’re not shocked by this. We name it. Because that’s how repair begins.
Clarity is a kindness.
Without it, nothing truly changes.
How We Work
We previously had therapists in Australia, South Africa, and Hawaii. We loved having them, but due to scheduling challenges with global time zones, we now limit international clinicians to more compatible locations: currently Canada, London, and Germany.
We also work online for couples who cannot travel. These sessions can take place over a weekend or over three months.
Every intensive we offer includes:
- Deep assessment
- Direct feedback
- Tailored science-based interventions
- And a team that stays with you every step of the way
Most of our couples have already seen one, two, or five therapists before us.
our core values
You’ll find only highly qualified therapists here.
Half of our group have doctoral degrees; one-third have the coveted title “Certified Gottman Therapist” (fewer than 500 worldwide). We have advanced training in multiple models and a decade or more of experience working with couples. This make our group uniquely suited to help. Discernment Counseling, Imago, and Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy are just some of the additional training they bring.
They tell us: “This was different.”
Part of the problem is that the kind of person who tends to become a therapist — empathic, sensitive, calm, accepting — is generally not the kind of person who is a good couples therapist. “The traditional, passive uh-huh, uh-huh is useless,” Mr. Real says. “You have to like action. To manage marital combat, a therapist needs to get in there, mix it up with the client, be a ninja. This is intimidating.” – Terry Real, NYT Interview
Let’s Begin
This isn’t a space for hushed words or false comfort.
It’s a place for truth, structure,
and the kind of change that sticks.
If you’re ready to fight for your connection-
we’re already in your corner.