Premarital Therapy with Gabriel Trees, MA
Are you ready to love intentionally and marry confidently?
Imagine taking the next step together to build the strongest possible foundation for your marriage—deepening your communication, increasing trust, and intentionally designing a lifetime of shared joy.
Let’s Work Together to Craft a Marriage More Beautiful Than Your Wedding Day
Transitioning into marriage is an inspiring milestone. Planning a wedding is exciting, but preparing for a lifelong marriage is where the real magic happens. Premarital therapy is a proactive, joyful investment. It provides a dedicated space to celebrate your strengths, align your dreams, and gain practical tools to navigate life as a team
As a Level-3 Gottman Therapist, I combine Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Attachment Theory to help you establish deeply connected patterns from day one.
Proactive Steps for a Lifetime of Shared Connection
Together, we will focus on what matters most to your future, including:
Deepening communication to navigate life's transitions smoothly.
Aligning shared values around finances, career goals, and lifestyle.
Navigating family dynamics and blending your unique traditions.
Nurturing emotional intimacy and keeping your friendship alive for the long haul.
Proven Methods to Intentionally Design Your Future
Whether you are newly engaged, approaching your wedding day, or intentionally planning your life together, I am here to support you. Let’s get clear on what is most important to you both, and dare to dream about what is possible for your marriage.
You can expect straightforward dialogue, specialized clinical experience, and a compassionate, uplifting path forward.
Expert Guidance to Cut Through the Noise
The internet is full of overwhelming relationship advice. As a premarital therapist, I help you cut through the noise to focus on what truly nurtures your unique partnership. Together, we’ll create a lasting impact for your marriage. I deeply value providing an inclusive space for all couples—welcoming your truth, your dreams, and your lived experiences.
Get Started with a Free Consultation
The best way to find out if we are a fit and to see how relationship therapy can help you is by booking a free consultation with me.
Communication: Learning how to deeply listen and truly understand each other.
Trust & Connection: Strengthening your emotional bond and building lifelong security.
Conflict Management: Navigating differences with ease before they become repetitive arguments.
Shared Values: Aligning your goals around finances, family dynamics, and lifestyle.
Intimacy & Friendship: Keeping your romantic spark and core friendship alive for the long haul.
Neurodivergence & Identity: Honoring your unique backgrounds, thinking styles, and lived experiences
Premarital Therapy Can Help With:
About Gabriel
Hello, I’m Gabriel Trees, Relationship Therapist. Portland, Oregon has been my home for 25 years, but my formative years were spent in New England and Georgia. This journey shaped my unique approach—blending New England straightforwardness, Southern warmth, and Pacific Northwest openness.
I have a special passion for working with premarital couples. There is immense joy in helping partners intentionally design their future from day one. I love helping couples align their dreams, deepen communication, and build a rock-solid foundation before saying "I do"—making therapy a proactive, uplifting experience.
My belief in lasting connection is deeply personal. I am happily married, and navigating the beautiful rhythms of marriage alongside my spouse keeps me rooted in the practical, everyday reality of relationship work. I am also a parent, caretaker, and friend.
Before becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist, I worked as an entry-level employee, a small business owner, and everything in between. This background gives me a deeply grounded perspective.
When I’m not working, I love to laugh with family and friends. Humor is essential to my well-being, and music has been my lifelong companion.
For me, everything is a matter of rhythm and harmony, and the therapy room is no exception
Benefits You Can Get from Premarital Therapy
Healthy Communication
All communication operates on multiple levels. We will explore "meta-communication"—the space between what is being said and what is being heard—so you both feel truly understood as you step into marriage.
Let’s bridge the gap between what is being said and what is being heard.
Navigating Differences with Ease
Don't get stuck in repetitive arguments before the wedding. We will map out concrete, Gottman-backed steps to handle differences smoothly, transforming tension into a deeper understanding of each other.
Let’s create concrete, day-one steps to bring lasting ease to your partnership
Gaining Emotional Clarity & Intimacy
Emotions give us vital data about our connection, but expressing them takes practice. I will help you safely explore, identify, and communicate your truest feelings, drawing you closer together.
Let's practice sharing your deeper feelings openly, strengthening your emotional bond
Deepening Trust & Security
Building a secure future requires a deep sense of safety. Grounded in attachment theory, we will address any past injuries or personal histories proactively, moving you into a deeply secure space for the long haul.
Together, we will build a clear path that deepens your mutual trust and lasting security.
Unpacking Relationship Expectations
We all carry unspoken, ingrained "rules" about marriage from our backgrounds. Together, we will look closely at what you expect from yourself and each other, deciding what to keep and what to discard.
Let’s look at your unwritten rules for marriage, keeping what serves you and letting go of what doesn't.
Envisioning Your Future Goals
It is easy to get caught up in wedding planning and settle for less than you both deserve in your daily lives. Let's create a safe space to dare to dream, intentionally designing the marriage you've always wanted.
Let’s design and build the vibrant marriage you both dream of!
My Approach and Influence
Gottman Therapy
Build a lasting foundation with research-backed premarital therapy. Utilizing the Gottman Method—grounded in 40 years of evidence—couples learn to navigate relationship barriers while increasing respect, empathy, and intimacy. Prepare for marriage with practical, approachable tools designed for lifelong success through approachable tools for success.
Emotionally-Focused
Couples Therapy
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT-C) teaches that emotions are the core organizing principles of our lives, not just accessories. By safely exploring your emotional range, engaged couples can deepen their connection and thrive. Let's work together to build a strong emotional foundation and support your lifelong well-being.
Attachment Theory
Early attachment styles profoundly shape how adults relate to one another. For engaged couples, understanding and appreciating these patterns builds deep mutual awareness and self-discovery. Let’s work together to create a stronger relationship foundation and foster lifelong connection.
Strength-Centered
Therapy
Build a thriving marriage by magnifying what you already do right. Strengths-Based Premarital Therapy uncovers your unique collaborative assets to ensure future success. Consistent, positive steps create significant, long-lasting change and prepare your relationship for a beautiful lifetime together.
Credentials
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Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from Lewis & Clark College School of Education.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Portland State University Honors College.
Undergraduate Thesis: “Music Education as a Potential Mediator for Social Decline”
Marriage and Family Therapy Associate with the Oregon Board of Licenced Professional Counselors and Therapists.
Graduate Internship with Lewis & Clark College Counseling Clinic
Graduate Externship with William Temple House Counseling Clinic
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Gottman Method Level 3 Certification
Apprenticeship with the Oregon Prison Project
Mentorship with Rose City Nonviolent Communication
Speciality training in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy at Lewis & Clark College
Speciality training in Engaging Boys & Men at Lewis & Clark College
Speciality training in Play and Family Therapy at Lewis & Clark College
Speciality training in Death & Loss at Lewis & Clark College
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Graduated summa cum laude
President’s List for academic excellence
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The National Society of Collegiate Scholars: NSCS
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Psychology Today
Good Therapy
Portland Therapy Center
Portland Therapy Den
"Love is a friendship set to music."
― Joseph Campbell
Frequently Asked Questions
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We accept Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and can provide a receipt for out-of-network reimbursement. However, we do not bill insurance companies directly, and are not currently in-network.
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Relationship Therapy is $195 per 60-minute session.
Individual Therapy is $175 per 50-minute session. -
I offer both In-person visits at our SE Belmont office- or Telehealth sessions