The Heart of the Matter Relationship Counseling

What The Heart of the Matter Relationship Counseling does

The Heart of the Matter Relationship Counseling is a privately held, San Diego-based group therapy practice operating under The Heart of the Matter Family Counseling, Inc., founded in 2018. The practice specializes in relationship counseling for couples and adult individuals, with core modalities grounded in the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), alongside evidence-based individual therapy, EMDR-based trauma treatment, and discernment counseling for couples uncertain about continuing their relationship. Its client base spans couples, individuals navigating relationship difficulties, trauma/PTSD patients, women in menopause/perimenopause, LGBTQ+ and ethically non-monogamous communities, and military veterans and families. The practice also offers Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and Low-Dose Ketamine + EMDR (KA-EMDR) delivered in partnership with Journey Clinical for medical assessment and prescriptions, and runs structured group programs including a Breakup Recovery Bootcamp and Half Couples Therapy workshop.

Service delivery combines in-person sessions at the Old Town San Diego office (2251 San Diego Avenue, Suite B-150) with HIPAA-compliant Zoom telehealth. The clinical team of 11 therapists comprises three Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) and eight associate-level therapists (AMFTs/APCCs) working under supervision by Susan Heemstra and Kathryn Krane, with additional intake coordination and group facilitation support. The technology stack is intentionally lightweight: WordPress/website with SEO-optimized service pages, Zoom telehealth, CardConnect payment processing, and Google Analytics, with no proprietary platform or AI components.

The revenue model is professional-services based. Standard 50-55 minute therapy sessions are billed at $180-$250 per hour depending on therapist, with KAP sessions priced at standard hourly rates plus $112-$208 per ketamine prescription cycle through Journey Clinical. Group programs are priced at $120 (4-week Breakup Recovery Bootcamp) and $160 (Half Couples Therapy 4-session workshop). The practice is in-network with CIGNA and Aetna for individual therapy, provides courtesy claims submission for Blue Cross/Blue Shield and United Healthcare PPOs, supplies superbills for out-of-network reimbursement, and accepts HSA/FSA payments; most insurance does not cover couples counseling. GTM is direct intake through a free 15-minute consultation, supported by content marketing, SEO, and organic social channels.

Name

The Heart of the Matter Relationship Counseling

Legal name

The Heart of the Matter Family Counseling, Inc.

Website

https://theheartofthemattercounseling.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Heart of the Matter Relationship Counseling is a San Diego-based private group therapy practice providing evidence-based couples, individual, and trauma therapy (including KAP and EMDR) to adult clients across California via in-person and telehealth delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Counseling Services

NAICS

Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLALAEAG

Couples & Family Therapy Teletherapy Platforms

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Telehealth Platforms/Behavioral & Mental Health Teletherapy Platforms

Keywords

• Couples therapy
• Marriage counseling
• Individual psychotherapy
• Trauma and EMDR therapy
• Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Therapy Sessions: Hourly therapy sessions for individuals navigating relationships, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. Billed per session at $180-$250 depending on therapist.
2. Couples Therapy Sessions: Relationship counseling sessions for couples using Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy. Most insurance does not cover couples counseling without relationship-impacting diagnosis.
3. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: KAP sessions including assessment, preparation, dosing (2-3 hours), and integration. Therapist fees $180-$250/hr; Journey Clinical medical consultation $250 initial/$150 follow-up; medication $112-$208 per prescription cycle.
4. Group Therapy Programs: Structured group programs including Breakup Recovery Bootcamp ($120 for 4-week series) and Half Couples Therapy workshop ($160 for four 90-minute sessions).
5. Discernment Counseling: Short-term specialized counseling (up to 5 sessions) for couples uncertain about continuing their relationship. Initial 2-hour session plus 90-minute follow-up sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Heart of the Matter Relationship Counseling is a licensed group therapy practice in San Diego that provides couples counseling and individual psychotherapy for adults. Core services include couples therapy using the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy, individual therapy for relationship-related concerns, trauma and PTSD treatment with EMDR, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and Ketamine-Assisted EMDR (KA-EMDR), menopause and perimenopause mental health support, discernment counseling, and structured group programs. Services are delivered in-person at the San Diego office and remotely via HIPAA-compliant telehealth.

Product overview

The Heart of the Matter Relationship Counseling is a San Diego-based group therapy practice offering relationship and mental health counseling services. The practice operates as a unified service platform providing core therapy modalities (Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Trauma & PTSD Therapy) supplemented by specialty services (Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Discernment Counseling, Low-Dose Ketamine + EMDR). Services are delivered through in-person sessions at their San Diego office and via HIPAA-compliant telehealth (Zoom), with group therapy workshops including Breakup Recovery Bootcamp and 'Half' Couples Therapy. The practice partners with Journey Clinical for KAP medical services and accepts HSA/FSA payments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Couples Therapy Couples counseling using the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to improve communication, rebuild trust, and deepen emotional connection. Offered in-person at the San Diego Old Town office and via telehealth.
• Individual Therapy for Relationship Concerns Individual therapy helping adult clients identify patterns, break barriers, and improve interpersonal connections and romantic relationships. Insurance-eligible in some cases.
• Trauma & PTSD Therapy Evidence-based trauma treatment using EMDR and other trauma-informed approaches to help clients process and heal from traumatic experiences.
• Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Combination of medically prescribed sublingual ketamine with psychotherapy sessions to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma. Includes preparation, dosing, and integration sessions delivered with Journey Clinical as the medical partner.
• Low-Dose Ketamine + EMDR (KA-EMDR) Combination protocol using psycholytic (low-dose) ketamine with EMDR therapy to facilitate trauma reprocessing with greater client tolerance and improved outcomes.
• Menopause & Perimenopause Support Specialized therapy for women navigating hormonal, physical, and psychosocial changes during menopause, including mental health support during perimenopause.
• Anxiety, Depression & Life Transitions Therapy Individual therapy addressing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, stress management, grief, loss, self-esteem, and career concerns.
• Group Therapy Programs Structured support groups including Breakup Recovery Bootcamp (women's support group) and 'Half' Couples Therapy workshop for individuals and couples seeking relationship enhancement.
• Discernment Counseling Short-term specialized counseling (up to 5 sessions) for couples where one or both partners are conflicted about continuing the relationship, helping them gain clarity on their direction. Includes an initial 2-hour session plus 90-minute follow-up sessions.
• Telehealth Therapy Services HIPAA-compliant video therapy sessions offered via Zoom, allowing clients to receive counseling remotely from their preferred location. No software download required.

Quantifiable outcome

• Evidence-based approach using Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy with established clinical research supporting effectiveness
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Journey ClinicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJourney Clinical provides medical assessment, ketamine prescriptions, and outcome monitoring for the practice's Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) services. Patients are assessed by Journey Clinical psychiatric providers who determine eligibility and develop personalized treatment plans. Journey Clinical ships ketamine lozenges to patients' homes and schedules follow-up consultations to monitor outcomes and prescribe refills. The practice provides preparation, dosing session support, and integration therapy.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Regain: Online couples therapy platform connecting clients with licensed therapists specializing in relationship counseling. Most direct comparable given focus on couples and relationship issues delivered via telehealth.
• Two Chairs: Group therapy practice operating hybrid in-person and telehealth clinics across multiple U.S. markets. Comparable group-practice model with employed therapists, in-network insurance contracts, and specialty matching by client need.

Broad incumbents

• BetterHelp: Largest online therapy platform offering individual, couples, and teen counseling with broad therapist network. Comparable delivery mechanism (telehealth) and overlap in couples/individual therapy offerings, though as a mass-market platform rather than a specialty practice.
• Talkspace: Public online therapy platform offering individual, couples, and teen therapy plus psychiatry services. Comparable telehealth couples therapy offering with insurance and EAP integrations; broader scope and significantly larger scale.
• Lyra Health: Mental health benefits platform serving employers with therapy, coaching, and medication management. Overlap in couples/individual therapy via telehealth and in-network insurance-style delivery; serves a different buyer (employers) but competes for the same therapist pool.

Emerging players

• Alma: Therapist-focused platform providing credentialing, insurance billing, and practice management for licensed clinicians. Comparable as a modern, insurance-enabled private practice infrastructure layer; competes indirectly for licensed MFTs and counselors in the same talent market.
• Journey Clinical: Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy medical partner that provides assessment, prescription, and monitoring. Currently serves as the practice's medical partner; could be considered an adjacent ecosystem participant enabling KAP delivery.
• Open Path Collective: Therapist directory offering reduced-fee individual and couples therapy sessions via telehealth. Comparable couples therapy delivery channel targeting cost-sensitive clients; partially overlapping client base with private-pay practices.
• Lasting: Digital couples counseling app offering self-guided relationship programs with optional therapist access. Comparable focus on relationship outcomes, though primarily self-serve rather than live clinician-led therapy.

Regional players

• Charlie Health: Virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP) provider for mental health and substance use with strong telehealth infrastructure. Comparable group-practice operational model and insurance contracting approach; serves different acuity but competes for the same therapist talent in some markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theheartofthemattercounseling
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-heart-of-the-matter-relationship-counseling
• Instagraminstagram.com/heartofthematter_counseling

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Heart of the Matter Relationship Counseling