Dr. Sara Schwarzbaum →

See Sara at Couples Counseling Associates – Downtown Chicago

I founded Couples Counseling Associates in 2008 in response to the growing need for specialized relationship counseling services in the Chicago area.

Couples have few roadmaps to help them navigate their lives successfully in today’s complex relationship world. I want to give couples the tools they need to improve their relationship. My approach is direct, focused on problem solving, active, and collaborative. I have experience helping couples learn new ways to communicate, reduce the number of fights, and facilitate re-connection. I also coach people to decrease negative interactions and increase sexual intimacy.

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I studied clinical psychology and marriage and family therapy prior to emigrating to the U.S. in 1982. I continued my training as a marriage and family therapist here with leaders in the field. I’ve continued this work for the past 25 years.

After finishing my doctoral degree at Northern Illinois University in 1995, I became a Professor at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. I was the Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Couple and Family Counseling, where I trained the next generation of couple and family counselors. I retired from that position in August 2016.

I have authored numerous articles and two books. My writing has appeared in the Psychotherapy Networker, Counseling Today, and the Journal of Multicultural Counseling, among other publications. (And I regularly contribute articles about love, relationships, marriage and more here on our blog).

I speak at couples counseling workshops for social service agencies and professional organizations and run supervision groups for therapists who work with couples. Media outlets frequently seek my input about couples distress and improvement strategies for couples.