Relationship Therapy

Offering Online Relationship Therapy in Oregon & Limited In-Person Therapy in SE Portland, OR

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Relationship Therapy

Maybe you keep having the same fight. Maybe you're more like roommates than partners, or something happened that broke trust and you don't know how to come back from it. Most couples wait years longer than they should to get help. You don't have to.

My work with couples is direct and relational. We'll look at the patterns that keep you stuck, the older wounds that get activated between you, and what each of you needs to feel close again. I won't just referee or hand you communication scripts. I'll help you both see your part, repair what's been hurt, and build a relationship with room for honesty, desire, and both of you as you actually are.

I work with couples of all orientations and identities, including LGBTQIA2S+ partners and those who bring kink into their connection. As a queer therapist, I don't need you to explain your life before we can get to work.

What We’ll Focus On:

  • Addressing trauma that may be blocking intimacy or relational growth.

  • Improving communication and deepening emotional connections.

  • Healing relational wounds and rebuilding trust.

  • Growing communication skills and approaching conflicts with compassion.

  • Exploring relationship structures that align with your values and needs.

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Therapy for BIPOC & Multi-cultural Relationships

Relationships between partners with shared marginalized identities or from different cultural backgrounds can bring unique dynamics, challenges, and strengths. I provide a supportive space for BIPOC, and multi-cultural couples to explore their relationship in the context of culture, identity, and intersectionality. Together, we’ll hold space for each of your experiences, celebrate what makes your relationship unique, and build the tools needed to navigate challenges with understanding and care.

What We’ll Focus On:

  • Navigating cultural differences and family expectations.

  • Strengthening communication and conflict resolution.

  • Addressing systemic challenges that impact your relationship.

  • Healing from racial stress and intergenerational trauma as a couple.

  • Creating a relationship structure that reflects your cultural values.

Chepo Clifford Henry, queer-affirming couples therapist for monogamous, open, and polyamorous relationships in Portland, OR

Hi, I'm Chepo Clifford Henry, Professional Counseling Associate, a queer, first-generation Black Latinx American therapist for couples and individuals in Portland, Oregon. I come from a blended, multiethnic family, so I know how culture, family expectations, and the systems around us shape how we love. There's room here for all of you, including the parts you've been told were too much or not enough.

I specialize in working with all relationship types: monogamous, open, polyamorous, and everything in between. Couples come to me when they're stuck in the same fight, feeling more like roommates than partners, or trying to rebuild trust after betrayal. I work with queer, interracial and multicultural, kink-involved, and neurodivergent partners, and with polycules. I also work with trauma, anxiety, and depression. My practice is queer-, trans-, polyamory-, kink-, and neurodivergent-affirming.

I practice Relational Life Therapy (RLT), Terry Real's direct, skills-based model that names the pattern between partners and teaches you how to change it, and I'm on the certification track. I also draw from Schema Therapy, and I'm Level 1 Certified in Internal Family Systems, with Brainspotting and somatic work. I won't just referee. Our work will focus on changing long-standing patterns. Sessions are online across Oregon and in person in SE Portland, and the first 30-minute consult is free.

 FAQs

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  • I work with couples and partnerships who are looking to strengthen communication, deepen connection, and navigate challenges together. My practice is open to all people regardless of gender, race, orientation, or background, and my goal is to provide a supportive, affirming space for relationships to thrive.

    I specialize in working with:

    • Couples healing from betrayal or relationship ruptures, looking to rebuild trust and intimacy.

    • LGBTQIA+ relationships seeking support that fully honors their experiences.

    • Polyamorous & non-monogamous relationships navigating trust, boundaries, and connection.

    • Interracial & multicultural couples working through cultural differences and family expectations.

    • Kink & BDSM relationships seeking a nonjudgmental space to explore dynamics and deepen trust.

    If you’re unsure whether we’d be a good fit, reach out—I’d love to explore how I can support you.

  • The standard fee for couples therapy is $250 per 90 minute session. In our sessions, we’ll identify what matters most to your relationship, create a custom care plan to help you and your partner(s) move toward your goals, keep a pulse on progress, and adjust ongoing care as needed.

    Therapy is an investment in your relationship and everything you do together—your connection, communication, trust, and future. Prioritizing your relationship’s health creates lasting change that can positively impact every aspect of your shared life together.

  • Absolutely! After our initial consultation and decision to move forward together, I will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate (GFE). This document is more than just a breakdown of costs—it’s a tool designed to empower you with clear, upfront information about the financial aspects of your care.

    The Good Faith Estimate ensures that all clients, especially those without insurance or choosing not to use insurance, are fully informed about the anticipated costs of therapy. It is part of a commitment to equity in healthcare, removing financial uncertainty so you can make decisions about your care with confidence.

    Your Good Faith Estimate will include:
    ✔ A detailed estimate of expected charges for non-emergency healthcare services, including therapy.
    ✔ Clear, transparent information to help you plan for the cost of your care.
    ✔ Protection from surprise billing—if you receive a bill at least $400 more than your estimate, you have the right to dispute it.

    I encourage you to save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate for your records.

    For more details about your rights under the No Surprises Act, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059. If you have any questions, I’m happy to go over it with you!

  • For most couples, online therapy is the most accessible and flexible option, allowing you and your partner(s) to meet from wherever you are, without the stress of coordinating travel or conflicting schedules. It’s just as effective as in-person therapy and makes it easier to integrate sessions into your routine.

    In-person therapy may be a better fit if:

    • You and your partner(s) have limited privacy at home for virtual sessions.

    • You need a structured, neutral space to engage more fully in the therapeutic process.

    Both options provide meaningful support, and we can discuss what works best for your relationship. In-person sessions are available in SE Portland with limited availability—please let me know if you'd like to explore this option.

  • For couples therapy, we will begin by meeting weekly. Relationship work takes time—most couples need space to explore past dynamics, practice new communication skills, and actively engage in the process. Meeting less often can make it harder to maintain momentum and see meaningful progress.

    In some cases, when clients are navigating especially intense challenges, meeting more than once a week for a period of time may be beneficial. We can discuss this together and adjust as needed.

    If you’d like to explore meeting every other week, we can re-evaluate after an initial period of weekly sessions to determine what best supports your relationship and goals. Therapy is a collaborative process, and I’ll help guide you toward a schedule that works best for your needs.

  • For couples therapy to be effective, each partner needs to be willing to participate and engage in the process. It’s completely normal for someone to feel hesitant or unsure—resistance is something we can work through together.

    If your partner has concerns, I encourage them to meet with me for a conversation where we can explore their hesitations and discuss what therapy might look like with them. Sometimes, understanding the process and having space to voice concerns can help ease uncertainty.

    That said, if one partner is completely unwilling to engage, couples therapy won’t be effective. In that case, I can still support you through individual therapy, where we can explore your relationship dynamics, help you navigate challenges, and work toward clarity on the best path forward.

    I’m happy to offer guidance on how to approach the discussion so we can find the best way forward together.

  • For New Clients:

    Getting started is simple!

    1. Book a Free Initial Consultation
      Submit a consultation request. Share as much or as little as you feel comfortable—this free 15-minute consultation is a chance for us to chat about your needs and for you to get a sense of my approach to therapy. It also helps us determine if we’re a good fit to work together.

    2. Receive a Good Faith Estimate
      If we decide to move forward, I'll provide you with a Good Faith Estimate, so you’ll have a clear understanding of expected costs. This ensures transparency and helps you plan for your care.

    3. Schedule an Initial Intake Session
      Once we’re ready to move forward, we’ll book an initial intake session to explore your needs, history, and goals in more depth.

    4. Set Up Regular Sessions
      After the intake, we’ll establish a schedule that works best for you.

    5. Telehealth & In-Person Appointments
      Sessions are primarily conducted via a confidential telehealth portal, providing flexibility and privacy. A limited number of in-person sessions are available in SE Portland—please reach out if you’re interested in this option.

    For Existing Clients:

    All current clients should schedule sessions through SimplePractice:

    No-Show & Late Cancellation Policy:

    Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please notify me at least 24 hours in advance. No-shows and late cancellations will be charged the full session fee.