Tina Shrader, LMFT (SHE/HER/HERS)
Couples therapy for repeated arguments and communication issues
I work with couples who care deeply about their relationship, but feel stuck in the same painful loops. Many of the couples who reach out to me are high-achieving, two working parent partners with young kids, worn down by constant miscommunication, frequent blowups, or a growing sense of disconnection. Based in Oak Park, IL, I offer in-person therapy in Oak Park and virtual sessions for couples located in Illinois and Florida.
Is couples therapy only for relationships that are about to fall apart?
Couples often tell me they’re coming in as a “last effort,” not because they don’t want the relationship, but because they’re exhausted and scared of what happens if nothing changes. In sessions, I am known for being direct, challenging, and highly practical. I bring a psychoeducational style that helps couples understand what’s actually happening beneath the arguments, while keeping the tone relatable, casual, and human. Expect an active, dynamic pace: I will interrupt unhelpful patterns, ask specific questions, and help you practice different ways of responding in the moment, so therapy doesn’t stay theoretical.
What actually happens in couples therapy sessions?
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who works from a systemic lens, meaning I pay close attention to the relationship patterns, stressors, and expectations that shape how partners show up with each other. I use narrative therapy to help couples step back from the “problem story” that has taken over, like “we can’t communicate” or “we’re just incompatible,” and identify the cycle you’re both getting pulled into.
Couples therapy in Oak Park, IL for communication, conflict, and connection
With motivational interviewing, I help couples clarify what they want, what they’re willing to change, and what keeps them stuck, especially when both partners feel understandably protective or defeated. My work often focuses on high conflict dynamics, gender role tension, financial disagreements, intimacy concerns, and parenting stress, helping couples move from reacting to each other to rebuilding teamwork, trust, and connection.
We might be a good fit if you are
Adult couples stuck in high-conflict communication cycles that escalate quickly
Two working parents with young kids who feel like they’ve lost their partnership
Couples navigating intimacy disconnection, mismatch, or resentment buildup
Partners in repeated fights about money, spending, or unequal financial burden
Couples feeling tension around gender roles, division of labor, and expectations
Couples overwhelmed by parenting stress that’s spilling into the relationship
Tina is the owner of the practice and provides supervision to the clinicians of the practice. She offers in-person couples therapy in Oak Park, IL, and virtual sessions for couples in Illinois and Florida.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What is it like to work with you?
My style is direct, challenging, and practical—while still feeling human and relatable. I’m active in session and won’t let you stay stuck in the same circular argument. We’ll slow things down, name the pattern, and try new ways of responding so you leave with clarity and something concrete to practice.
What types of couples do you help best?
I’m a strong fit for adult couples who are high-achieving and overwhelmed—often two working parents with young kids—who feel like they’ve lost their teamwork. I commonly help couples dealing with high conflict, communication breakdown, parenting stress, financial tension, gender-role expectations, and intimacy disconnection.
What should we expect in the first session?
In the first session, we’ll get specific about what brings you in and what feels most urgent right now. I’ll ask detailed questions to understand your conflict cycle and what you’ve already tried. You can also expect some psychoeducation to help you make sense of what’s happening—and a clearer plan for what we’ll work on next.
We’ve tried couples therapy before—how is this different?
A lot of couples find me after other attempts didn’t lead to change. I’m active and pattern-focused, and I’ll challenge unhelpful dynamics directly rather than staying vague or purely reflective. We’ll focus on what keeps the cycle going and what each of you can do differently, starting now—not someday.
Do you work with high-conflict couples?
Yes. High conflict usually means you’re both activated, protective, and desperate for things to feel better—fast. We’ll work on slowing escalation, identifying the predictable triggers, and building new interaction patterns. The goal isn’t to “win” arguments; it’s to create safety, teamwork, and repair after conflict.