Duke DeLoache, AMFT

I accompany couples as they seek to heal and to grow into deeper trust, connection, and love. In doing so, my goal is for each individual in the couple to become more compassionate, wise, and joyful—using the relationship as a powerful vehicle for evolving as a person.

When I work with couples, I practice deep listening. I listen with my heart, which means that I try to really feel with each partner and to truly understand their experience. From this place of understanding, I strive to help them each to see at a deep level how they participate in negative cycles of communication, and gently guide them to cultivate ways of being which transform this negativity into ever-deepening cycles of connection, trust, love, and play.

My Background and Experience

I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. I formerly worked in schools as a teacher and then went on to do crisis counseling with teens, which inspired me to go back to school to become a licensed therapist. I currently reside with my partner and our two dogs in the Santa Cruz Mountains, about an hour south of San Francisco in a town called La Honda.

Training & Education

I am a graduate of California Institute of Integral Studies where I received a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, and I am currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (Lic. # 141680).

Over the last decade, I’ve spent about 18 months on silent meditation retreat, mostly practicing vipassana and zen, cultivating compassionate awareness of what is happening internally and externally from moment to moment. This passion continues to be a powerful influence and inspiration for how I approach my work as a therapist.

In my free time

These days, I am enjoying cold water plunging, rock climbing with friends, and enjoying the beauty of nature around my home.