Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 104 ratings

Eileen Kristina Bates

LMFT, 7 years of experience

Solution oriented
Direct
Authentic
Virtual
Next available on

About me

As a marriage and family therapist, I'm committed to helping individuals, couples, and families learn how to increase confidence, improve communication, and deepen intimacy in their most significant relationships. I have a B.S. in Psychology and an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy with over seven years of experience working with clients from a variety of backgrounds, orientations, and cultures. I believe that life is about relationships first and everything else is just details, so whether I'm working with you as an individual or part of a couple or family, my hope is to help you create healthy and fulfilling relationships with yourself and with others.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

The first session can be intimidating if you're not accustomed to therapy, but don't worry! We start by reviewing basic procedures and expectations, then I get to know you by asking about your background, your interests, your support system, and your history. Be prepared to talk about yourself a bit! If you're coming as a couple, I will get to know you as individuals and as a couple and then we'll get into what brings you to therapy. After the goals for therapy have been clearly defined we'll figure out how to start taking steps to get there. Your session will feel the most productive if you come with clear concerns and goals. After that, we'll get to work!

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

Regardless of the issue you come to therapy for, I begin with a strengths-based approach. I see you as a person first, not just your problems, and meet you where you are without judgement or criticism. While I may be an expert in the process of therapy, you are the expert of your life, so I will work with you to help you identify and reach your goals based on what is most important to you.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal clients are ones who are ready to commit to making positive changes in their lives, who don't mind being introspective, and have a clear idea of what they want to accomplish in therapy. I work with people experiencing relationship conflict and distress and enjoy working with my clients to learn healthy communication techniques. I work with couples and individuals and have also worked with parent-child relationships.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

AddictionAnxietySelf Esteem

I identify as

Christian

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

My treatment methods

Couples Counseling

I work with couples to improve communication, reduce conflict, and increase intimacy through actionable, solution-focused goals. I also offer premarital and marital counseling as a PREPARE/ENRICH certified facilitator for engaged, dating, and married couples.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I assist couples and individuals examine and address errors in their thinking that lead to unhelpful emotions and destructive behaviors.

Gottman method

The Gottman method informs much of my work with couples, focusing on clear communication that avoids defensiveness, criticism, and stonewalling and reduces feelings of contempt by increasing fondness and admiration for their partners.

Location

Virtual

Licensed in

Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 104 ratings

8 ratings with written reviews

July 9, 2025

My fiancé and I have tried couples therapy in the past, but struggled to find a therapist who felt like a good fit...until we came across Eileen. She's very solution-oriented, which we love. During our sessions, she has helped us to come to a better understanding of each other and always keeps our goals in mind. She's very warm, non-judgmental, and authentic. I leave our sessions feeling lighter and empowered to make positive changes. I truly look forward to our future sessions.

Verified client, age 25-34

Review shared after session 2 with Eileen

July 7, 2025

First session today and I like her so far. Looking forward to more sessions in the future

Verified client, age 25-34

Review shared after session 1 with Eileen

May 16, 2025

Eileen is the best! We're two sessions in and already looking forward to session three! She's very kind, understanding, and compassionate, and everything we've been looking for in a therapist! 10/10 would recommend :)

Verified client, age 25-34

Review shared after session 2 with Eileen