Couples therapist in Raleigh NC
Online THERAPy in NC, MD, FL
Meet Tara Gogolinski, LMFT - couples therapist in Raleigh, NC.
I’m Here to Help You Rebuild What Matters Most
Every couple deserves a relationship that feels supportive, steady, and deeply connected — the kind that holds up even when life is moving fast. My work helps you slow down and understand each other more fully, especially when the usual tools stop working. And if you’re thinking, “We should probably know how to do this already,” you’re not alone — it’s one of the most common things I hear from couples. The truth is, no one hands out a Relationship 101 manual. Together, we build a partnership that feels grounded, communicative, and intentional, even in the midst of stress, ambition, or the complexity of real life. As a couples therapist in Raleigh, NC, my work centers on helping partners slow down enough to understand each other more fully, especially when the usual tools stop working.
I opened my practice in 2013 with a simple intention: to create a space where people could feel understood, supported, and less alone in their struggles. In those early years, I worked with individuals, couples, and families, but I found myself continually drawn to the work couples were doing in the room. Watching two people move from feeling unseen or misunderstood to experiencing real connection and attunement felt deeply meaningful, the kind of transformation that stays with you.
Over time, that clarity didn’t just shape my practice, it shaped the way I help couples today. In 2022, I renamed the practice Rising Tides Therapy Center to reflect the heart of the work: helping couples rise together, even in seasons of stress, distance, or uncertainty.
Now, my focus is intentionally centered on supporting couples who want to communicate more clearly, understand each other more deeply, and build a relationship that feels aligned with the life they’re creating. Whether you’re navigating disconnection, conflict, or a breach of trust, my work is grounded in helping you slow down, make sense of what’s happening between you, and reconnect in ways that feel steady and real.
My approach to couples therapy centers on clarity, compassion, and helping you feel like you’re on the same team again.
For couples who want deeper, more focused support, couples therapy intensives offer the clarity and momentum that can be hard to access in weekly sessions.
If infidelity is part of your story, my infidelity counseling work provides a structured, trauma‑informed path toward stabilization, honesty, and repair — without causing more harm along the way.
Alongside my couples work, I also offer individual therapy for people wanting to understand their patterns, strengthen their boundaries, or navigate relationship transitions with more clarity and intention.
The Heart of Rising Tides Therapy Center
Who I Work Best With
I work with couples who want to be intentional about their relationship — partners who care deeply about each other but feel stuck in patterns they can’t seem to shift on their own. Many of the couples I support are thoughtful, driven, and committed in many areas of their lives, yet find that their relationship needs a different kind of attention than what has worked in other parts of their world.
You may be a good fit for this work if you and your partner:
Want to communicate more clearly and understand each other more deeply
Feel the distance growing and want to reconnect before it widens
Are navigating stress, transitions, or competing demands
Are recovering from a breach of trust or a significant rupture
Value a grounded, evidence‑based approach
Are ready to slow down, reflect, and engage in meaningful change
If you’re looking for a space that is steady, supportive, and focused on helping you rebuild connection, you’re in the right place.
My Approach
A Steady, Evidence‑Based Approach Rooted in Connection
My work is grounded in the belief that relationships thrive when partners feel understood, emotionally safe, and able to communicate with clarity. I draw from evidence‑based models including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, and Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT) to help you understand the patterns shaping your relationship and create meaningful, lasting change. I integrate these approaches in a way that feels natural and grounded, helping you understand what’s happening beneath the surface, not just what’s being said in the moment.
In our work together, you can expect a balance of warmth and directness. I’ll help you slow down, tune into what’s happening beneath the surface, and make sense of the moments where you feel stuck or disconnected. From there, we’ll build new ways of relating that feel more aligned, supportive, and sustainable.
My approach is collaborative, intentional, and tailored to the unique dynamics of your relationship. You bring your lived experience; I bring a steady presence, clinical expertise, and a deep commitment to helping you reconnect in ways that feel real and lasting.
What I Believe About Relationships
Relationships are shaped by patterns between partners — not by one person’s shortcomings.
Disconnection is often a signal, not a verdict.
Repair is possible when partners feel safe, seen, and understood.
High‑achieving couples deserve nuanced, emotionally intelligent care.
Change happens when clarity and compassion meet structure and intention.
These beliefs guide the way I listen, the questions I ask, and the space I create for both of you.
Values
What Guides My Work
The values below shape every part of my practice, from the way I show up in the room to the way I think about care, connection, and long‑term change. They reflect what I believe helps couples feel safe, understood, and able to grow together.
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I pay close attention to the emotional currents between you — the subtle shifts, the unspoken moments, the places where you feel alone or misunderstood. Attunement creates the foundation for deeper connection and meaningful change.
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Relationships thrive when partners understand themselves and each other. I help you slow down, make sense of your patterns, and communicate in ways that feel grounded and clear.
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I believe in honest, ethical, evidence‑based care. You’ll always know what we’re working on, why it matters, and how it supports your relationship.
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Therapy is something we do together. You bring your lived experience; I bring clinical expertise and a steady presence. We work as a team to create the change you’re hoping for.
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I don’t do surface‑level work. I help couples understand the deeper emotional patterns shaping their relationship so that change feels real, lasting, and aligned with who you are.
Credentials & Training
My work is rooted in evidence‑based models and years of specialized training focused on helping couples create meaningful, lasting change. I’m committed to ongoing learning and staying current with the approaches that best support relational health.
Licensure
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Licensed in North Carolina, Maryland, and Florida (telehealth)
Education
Masters of Science in Couple and Family Therapy, University of Maryland
Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Family Studies, Towson University
Advanced Training & Certifications
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level Two)
Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Couples Infidelity Repair Specialist Certificate
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) approved supervisor
Specialized training in infidelity repair and relational trauma
Ongoing professional consultation and advanced couples therapy workshops
Professional Experience
15 years of clinical experience supporting individuals, couples, and families
Have helped thousands of couples address disconnection, conflict, and trust ruptures
AAMFT‑approved clinical supervisor with experience mentoring early‑career therapists
Former Adjunct Professor of a graduate‑level Marriage and Family Therapy course
Provide workshops and training on advanced couples therapy and trauma‑informed care
Maintain ongoing consultation and advanced training to stay current with best practices
If you’re curious about rates or what working together looks like logistically, you can find all details on my Investment & Fees page.
And if you’re gathering information or wondering what to expect, my FAQs page is a helpful place to start.
If You’re Ready to Strengthen Your Relationship, I’m Here to Help
Whether you’re feeling disconnected, navigating a difficult season, or simply wanting to understand each other more deeply, therapy can offer the clarity and support you need. A free consultation is a gentle first step toward seeing whether this work feels like the right fit for both of you.