Communication & conflict
The same argument on repeat, talks that turn into fights, or one partner pushing while the other shuts down.
Marriage & Couples Counseling · Prairieville & Baton Rouge
Marriage counseling for two people who are tired of having the same fight.
Most couples don't come in because of one big blow-up. They come in because the same argument keeps circling back, because conversations have gone quiet, or because something happened that neither of you knows how to talk about. I'm Melissa Shaw, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 24 years of experience helping couples and families.
- Evening times available
- Confidential, in person
- Accepting new couples
What couples work on
Common reasons married couples call
Trust & hurt
Rebuilding after a betrayal or a breach of trust, and deciding together what repair would actually look like.
Life transitions
A new baby, blended families, a job change or move, illness, caregiving, an empty nest, or grief in the family.
Parenting as a team
Getting on the same page about discipline, screens and schedules instead of undercutting each other.
How couples sessions work
Both sides heard, then real work
We start with what each of you wants to be different. From there we work on the patterns underneath the arguments, the ones you both fall into without meaning to, and on practical skills for talking about hard things without it turning into a fight.
My approach is collaborative and brief, not open-ended. We set clear goals early and check on progress, so you can see whether it's working.
I treat both partners with dignity, compassion and professional respect, even if my personal beliefs are not identical to yours. Christian counseling is available for couples who want their faith included in the work.
Twenty-four years of marriage and four children have taught me that no relationship stays easy by accident.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
- Family Systems
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Strength-Based
- Christian Counseling (on request)
Practical details
Sessions, fees and location
$280Couples session
$160Individual session
15 minComplimentary consultation
A small number of reduced-fee time slots may be available. They are limited, set at specific times, require documentation of income, and often have a waiting list, so please ask at your consultation. I don't bill insurance. Insurers require a mental-health diagnosis for one partner, and private pay keeps your relationship's work out of that system entirely.
Office hours
- Monday
- 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Thursday
- 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Friday
- 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (alternating weeks)
Evening times work well for couples coming from Baton Rouge after work.
Location
15655 Airline Hwy
Prairieville, LA 70769
Serving Prairieville, Gonzales, St. Amant and Baton Rouge, including the Highland Road area. All sessions are held in person, a short drive down Airline Highway.
Questions
Couples usually ask
Is this marriage counseling?
Yes. Marriage counseling and couples counseling are the same work here. I see married couples, engaged couples preparing for marriage, and long-term partners.
What if my partner won't come?
Start anyway. It's common to begin with one partner while the other decides, and the work you do on your own often changes how things go at home. Many partners join later once they see what sessions are actually like.
Will you take sides?
No. My job is to make sure you both feel heard and to name the pattern you're stuck in, not to declare a winner.
How much does it cost?
Couples sessions are $280 and individual sessions are $160. A small number of reduced-fee time slots may be available with documentation of income. They are limited and may have a waiting list. I don't bill insurance, and I accept cash or check.
Do you see couples from Baton Rouge?
Yes. My office is in Prairieville, a short drive down Airline Highway from Baton Rouge, and evening times are available if you are coming after work.
How long does it take?
It depends on what you're working through, but I favor brief, solution-focused work. We set clear goals early and review progress as we go.
Contact
Let's talk
Reach out to request a complimentary 15-minute consultation. Either partner can make the first call. I'll get back to you as soon as I can, usually within one business day.
To protect your privacy, please don't include detailed health information in this form. We can talk about that on the phone.