HOUSTON COUPLES THERAPIST

Sarah McKay, PhD

About SARAH (She/hER)

Build A Strong Foundation For Your Next Step

You and your partner are embarking on an exciting time in your relationship—deepening your commitment, getting engaged, moving in together, or planning your family.

But even positive events can make stress surface. You may find yourselves having more small fights, feeling anxious about what's ahead, or wondering how to approach bigger conversations about the future.

Couples counseling can help you identify the strengths that make your relationship work well, address small concerns before they take root, and improve your understanding of one another even more.

Our work together will provide the skills to communicate more openly, navigate conflict with care, and, most importantly, build a relationship foundation that is strong, secure, and prepared for everything that comes next.

Work with Sarah

Sarah’s Specialties

Individual Therapy for Anxiety & Mood Disorders

I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or OCD who want to better understand themselves and how their mental health may impact their relationships.

You may find yourself wondering, “Why am I feeling this way? Is it something happening in my relationship, or something unique to me?”

Whether you’re trying to understand your role in relationship dynamics, your partner is not willing to participate in couples therapy yet, or you simply need space to process your own feelings, needs, and experiences, we can work together to find greater clarity and direction.

As you develop greater self-understanding, you’ll learn tools to face difficult emotions, respond to challenges in more balanced ways, and create meaningful change in your life.

Ultimately, my goal is to help you feel grounded, confident in your ability to cope with mental health or mood changes, and clear on how to engage in your relationships with clarity and intention.

Relationship Tune-Ups for New Couples

I work with new couples* who want to strengthen their relationship before small concerns become sources of ongoing conflict or deeper resentments.

Just as we have preventative healthcare before we're sick or service our cars before they break down, healthy relationships benefit from regular care and maintenance.

You don’t have to wait until your relationship is in crisis for support. Addressing concerns early is one of the best investments you can make.

Together, we'll explore the areas that feel stuck to find the currents beneath, then strengthen your ability to move through conflict and repair misunderstandings. Through this work, you’ll learn to stay connected through stressors, making you better equipped to face future challenges as a team.

*Couples together for less than three years are best suited for this approach. However, if you have participated in couples therapy before and are looking for a thoughtful relationship "tune-up," book a consultation to see if you’re a good fit.

Are We A Good Fit For Couples Therapy?

You may be a good fit if:

  • You want to strengthen your relationship before small concerns become bigger patterns of disconnection.

  • You’re looking to improve communication, understand each other more deeply, and navigate conflict with greater care.

  • You’re entering a new chapter, such as moving in, getting engaged, or planning a family, or some other commitment milestone.

  • You’re open to understanding the unspoken patterns in your relationship and build skills to navigate challenges together.

Another therapist on our team may be a better fit if:

  • Your relationship is currently impacted by active or severe substance use or mental health struggles that may require specialized support.

  • Current or past experiences are interfering with your ability to feel emotionally safe with one another.

  • You are experiencing levels of conflict or distress that may be best met in a more intensive couples therapy approach.

  • You are looking for a “quick fix” or a therapist to determine who is right, rather than exploring the patterns that are keeping you stuck.

Areas of Expertise

  • Premarital Therapy

  • New Couples

  • Anxiety & OCD

  • Depression & Bipolar Disorder

  • Young Adults

  • Life Transitions

Credentials

    • Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology (in progress), University of Houston

    • M.S. in Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience), University of Houston–Clear Lake

    • B.S. in Behavioral Science with a minor in Sociology, University of Houston–Clear Lake

    • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) 

    • Gottman Method Couples Therapy 

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    • Doctoral Student Clinician, supervised by Laura C Spiller, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, #31563, and Rachel Floyd, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, #40269

BOOK A FREE CONSULT

RATES

Individual Session

(50 min): $50

Couples Session

(75 min): $100

Intake sessions
(90 min): $125

OFFICE HOURS

By appointment

Monday

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Wednesday

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Friday
11:00 am - 7:00 pm