LMFT, 13 years of experience
Welcome to my profile. My name is Kawanna Gritney and i’m a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in helping individuals and couples heal the emotional patterns that keep them stuck. My individual therapy work focuses on healing past trauma using Attachment-Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR)—a powerful, research-supported method that transforms long-standing pain at its root rather than simply managing symptoms. Clients often choose this treatment when they’re ready to drastically reduce/eliminate symptoms, attain deeper healing, gain relief from persistent triggers, and develop a renewed sense of self. This service is usually fully covered by insurance, making trauma treatment both accessible and sustainable. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I also specialize in marriage and couples counseling for partners who want to strengthen their connection, repair trust, communicate more effectively, manage conflict or prepare for a healthy future together before marriage. I use the Gottman Method, one of the most respected and proven approaches for improving relationship dynamics. My work with couples focuses on the relationship system—the patterns between you—rather than diagnosing one partner or treating pathology. Because this service is relational rather than medical, insurance does not cover the type of couples/marriage counseling I provide. If you and your partner are interested in receiving couples/marriage counseling you can schedule your 55 min assessment sessions (3 assessment sessions in total) on the GROW platform for $170/assessment session. Once you enter the treatment phase of your couples/marriage counseling, treatment sessions are 90 mins and $260/session. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For couples preparing for marriage, I offer a 4-hour virtual premarital counseling course grounded in decades of research on what makes relationships last. This course helps couples build essential skills—communication, conflict management, emotional connection, shared meaning, and teamwork—to create a strong foundation for a long-lasting marriage. Consultations are scheduled on the GROW platform for $170. The entire program is $497.
My clients describe me as warm, direct, and deeply supportive. Whether you’re seeking trauma healing or relationship transformation, my goal is to help you gain clarity, break painful cycles, and create secure, fulfilling connections—with yourself and with those you love. If you’re ready to begin this work, I would be honored to help you take the next step. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are seeking to heal from past trauma using AF-EMDR, here's what you can expect:---- 1st Session: An initial intake assessment will be conducted to determine your medical necessity for treatment and mental health diagnosis for insurance purposes (gathers information on symptoms, problems and goals for treatment) 2nd Session: Treatment Planning and goal setting- we collaborate to develop a clear, measurable roadmap that aligns with your trauma-healing objectives ensuring focused, effective and ethically sound treatment 3rd-4th Session: Developmental history taking- I ask you questions to gain a clear picture of your early attachment experiences, significant life events and relational patterns in order to identify the roots of your current symptoms and target the most impactful memories for trauma processing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are seeking couples/marriage counseling here's what you can expect during the first 3 assessment sessions:-------------- 1st Session: Understanding the relationships current state- I will gather information on each partner's perspective on strengths and struggles, review the history of the relationship from first meeting to present issues, observe your communication patterns in real time, explain the Gottman Method framework and next steps.------------------------------------------------------------- 2nd Session: One partner will meets with me individually so that I can gain an understanding of your personal history, family-of-origin relational patterns, internal experiences and private perspectives on the relationship. In addition, I will assess for safety, trauma and individual concerns that may influence the partnership. I will also clarify your hopes and worries; gathering honest unfiltered information that helps shape an accurate, balanced treatment plan without the pressure of influence of the other partner being present.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd Session: The other partner meets with me individually so that I can gain an understanding of their personal history, family-of-origin relational patterns, internal experiences and private perspectives on the relationship. In addition I will assess you for safety issues, trauma and individual concerns that may influence the partnership. I will also clarify your hopes and worries; gathering honest unfiltered information that helps shape an accurate, balanced treatment plan without the pressure of influence of the other partner being present. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are preparing for marriage, here is what you and your partner can expect in your premarital counseling consultation session: You and your partner will provide a brief overview of your relationship story, and discuss your goals for marriage. I will review key predictors of long-term marital satisfaction (communication, conflict management, friendship, shared meaning, and trust) explain the assessment tools you will take to identify your strengths and growth areas and provide you with a clear outline of the skill based premarital counseling program that will prepare you and your partner for a healthy, lasting relationship.
“What stands out about my therapeutic approach is that I combine research-based methods with highly personalized care. I use Attachment-Focused EMDR to help you heal the root of your pain, not just manage symptoms, and Gottman Method strategies to help you and your partner transform the way you communicate and connect. Clients appreciate that my work is structured, goal-oriented, and results-driven—focused on creating lasting change rather than temporary relief.
*AF-EMDR Trauma Therapy: My ideal client is someone who’s ready to stop surviving their past and start living their life. They want real healing—not endless talking—and are drawn to a clear, structured path that helps them release old emotional patterns for good. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Marriage/Couples Counseling: My ideal client is a couple who wants to transform their relationship, not just troubleshoot it. They’re motivated, open to learning, and ready for a research-backed roadmap that strengthens communication, deepens connection, and rebuilds trust. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Premarital Counseling: My ideal clients are engaged partners who want to enter marriage intentionally. They’re proactive, eager to build a strong foundation, and excited to learn the exact skills that help couples create a healthy, lasting partnership.
I have been trained and certified in Attachment-Focused EMDR since 2023, and my approach is warm, steady, and highly structured to help clients heal at the root. I focus on understanding the experiences that shaped you—especially early relationships—so we can uncover where painful patterns began. Before we process any difficult memories, I teach grounding and regulation tools to help you feel safe, supported, and in control. During AF-EMDR, I guide you gently through the healing process, helping your brain reprocess old experiences so they lose their emotional intensity and no longer dictate how you feel or respond today. My clients appreciate that this method goes deeper than talk therapy and creates real, lasting relief from trauma, anxiety, and relationship wounds.
As a Level 3 trained Gottman Method I'm able to provide couples a clear, research-backed roadmap for improving their relationship, not just temporary fixes. My approach starts with understanding your relationship story, your strengths, and the patterns that keep you stuck. I guide you through proven exercises that help you communicate more effectively, repair past hurts, reduce conflict, and rebuild intimacy and trust. In session, I teach practical skills you can use right away—tools that decades of research show make relationships stronger and more resilient. Couples appreciate that my style is direct, supportive, and focused on creating real change, not just managing arguments.
1 rating with written reviews
April 29, 2025
I've been seeing Kawanna for several years after trying multiple therapists who just lacked her high level of experience and expertise. She has helped me with many serious challenges including health, kids, relationship, and job-related. It has helped me make the changes needed in my life to be able to have my needs met and feel satisfaction and joy in my life.