Randi Gunther, Ph.D.
Author, Marriage & Family Therapist, Clinical Psychologist
Welcome — I’m Glad You’re Here
Every person, every couple, and every family has a story. And sometimes, that story reaches a point where it helps to talk to someone who listens deeply — not to judge, but to help you hear yourself more clearly.
I’m Dr. Randi Gunther, a clinical psychologist with advanced doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, and over four decades of experience working with individuals, couples, and families across Southern California. My work focuses on the real, everyday struggles people face: disconnection, conflict, sexual issues, loss of intimacy, and emotional distance.
You may be looking for marriage counseling or sex therapy, or perhaps you’re simply navigating a difficult chapter in your relationship. Whatever brings you here, know that you’re not alone — and you don’t need to figure it out alone either.
As a licensed family therapist (LMFT) and psychologist, I work with a wide range of clients:
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Married or long-term couples feeling emotionally distant or constantly misunderstood
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Individuals facing sexual dysfunction or confusion around their sexuality
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Young adults navigating dating, identity, and early relationship dynamics
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Older adults adjusting to life transitions, caregiving, or shifting roles in long-term partnerships
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Families dealing with long-standing tension, generational differences, or the need to rebuild trust
Who I Help
Areas of Support
My work is rooted in talk therapy, guided by decades of continuing education in human sexuality, attachment, and relationship dynamics. Depending on your needs, we may explore:
Couples Counseling
Helping partners reconnect emotionally, communicate more effectively, and move through conflict with care. Many couples I see come in feeling “stuck” — like they’re having the same conversation again and again with no resolution. Therapy gives space to slow down, reflect, and rebuild.
Marriage Counseling
Sometimes the weight of shared responsibilities, parenting, or simply time can create emotional distance. Marriage counseling offers a space to tend to the relationship, understand unmet needs, and foster deeper emotional connection — without blame.
Individual Therapy
Not every struggle is about a relationship — sometimes it's about your relationship with yourself. Individual therapy offers space to explore anxiety, life transitions, emotional patterns, or simply the need to be seen and heard. Together, we’ll work toward clarity, self-compassion, and a deeper understanding of what’s holding you back.
Family Therapy
Families are complex systems. Whether you're managing conflict between parents and teens, caring for elderly parents, or navigating divorce or co-parenting, family therapy helps uncover healthy patterns and strengthen bonds.
Why People Seek Therapy
People often seek support when something doesn’t feel quite right — even if they can’t put it into words. You might be feeling:
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Constant miscommunication with a partner
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A lack of physical or emotional intimacy
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Shame or confusion around your sexuality
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The weight of unspoken expectations in your family
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Overwhelmed by life transitions or long-standing anxiety
Therapy can be the first step toward clarity. Not a quick fix, but a gentle, informed exploration of what’s underneath.
My Approach
I don’t rush to label or fix. Instead, I offer a quiet space to slow down, reflect, and uncover meaning. My clients often say they feel safe — not just emotionally, but in the deep sense of being understood without needing to explain every detail.
I believe therapy is most helpful when it feels like a conversation with someone who truly sees you. Together, we uncover new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating that create lasting change.
A Note on Education & Ethics
I hold doctoral degrees in clinical psychology and have trained extensively in the fields of human sexuality, trauma recovery, and couples dynamics. I’m committed to ongoing continuing education and stay closely connected to ethical standards set by organizations like AASECT, ensuring you receive care that is both compassionate and informed.
Ready to Begin?
If you're searching for a family therapist, couples counselor, or clinical psychologist in Southern California, you’re in the right place.
You're welcome to reach out — not to make a commitment, but simply to explore if working together feels right for you.
Based in Southern California, serving clients across Palos Verdes, the South Bay, and beyond.
You don’t need to have all the answers to start. You just need a place to begin.
Books by Dr. Randi Gunther
Explore insights that go beyond the therapy room.
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How can couple's counseling help?When a couple finds themselves hurting each other more often and taking longer to heal, they may be on a dangerous trajectory. A quality therapist provides a map for where you've been and where you need to go, rather than where you are headed, and guides you through the process. For it to work, both partners must be motived, authentic, and have similar goals. But, they need new perspective, and that is what a therapist provides.
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If the relationship is faltering, is it important for both partners to attend therapy together?If therapy is effective, the partner seeking help will likely begin making different decisions, some of which may not be what the other partner wants or needs. Quality therapy encourages the seeking of skills that make relationships thrive. If the other partner is not on board, those ne skills may work better with someone new some day.
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What are the most common reasons couple’s therapy might fail?There are many and a quality therapist will bring that potential up in the first session to make sure both partners bring what it takes to the session. What if the partner who is rebelling or guilty unknowingly or intentionally sabotages the process? Is there betrayal involved? Are the problems between the partners long-standing or have arisen from a crisis? Is there equal motivation and commitment to recreate a better marriage? Are there unresolved issues from the past that are infiltrating and harming the process? Can they afford the resources that might be needed to stay the course?
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Is one form of couple’s therapy better than another?The most important variables that predict success lie within the relationship between the therapist and the couple. There has to be mutual respect, confidence, and faith in the process. Quality practitioners may practice within different modalities, but they are authentic, competent, present, and committed to what they do. Not all modalities work well with all people and the therapist can attest to what is available and help a couple make that decision.
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What is the difference between couples therapy and marriage counseling?Couples therapy focuses on relationship dynamics, while marriage counseling addresses issues specific to marriage, like commitment and shared responsibilities.
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What type of therapy is best for married couples?Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are highly effective. Dr. Randi Gunther personalizes her approach to fit each couple's needs.
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What type of counselor is best for marriage?A licensed and experienced therapist like Dr. Randi Gunther, with 40+ years experience in marriage and family counseling, is ideal for addressing marital challenges.
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Is couples therapy good for couples?Yes, couples therapy helps improve communication, rebuild trust, and strengthen emotional bonds.
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Can couples counseling fix a relationship?While not all relationships can be "fixed," counseling with experts like Dr. Randi Gunther can help couples work through challenges and rebuild their connection.
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Do people stay together after couples therapy?Many couples stay together and grow stronger after therapy, but outcomes depend on their commitment and willingness to change.