We are husband-and-wife family therapists who specialize in working with relationship issues. We are both licensed Marriage and Family Therapists
practicing in Folsom, CA. We work separately with individuals and as a co-therapist team with couples and families.

     When we work with couples or singles we identify concerns that may be adversely impacting their relationship(s) and explore with them potential solutions. We then help each person develop essential skills, such as:

• Managing conflict and anger

• Communicating effectively

• Clarifying boundaries

• Achieving a satisfying sex life

• Balancing power and control

• Expressing appreciation and affection.

     Our intention in our work is to facilitate a journey of self discovery, through focused dialogue, one to one or among the four of us. Our goal is to convert conflict into understanding and compassion. Having both a man and a woman therapist present helps to accomplish this. It provides the safety, comfort and support of both male and female viewpoints. Further, we offer the option of Fred working individually with the man, and Colene working individually with the woman.

     We offer premarital and parental counseling, sex therapy and assistance with cultural differences. Other situations we work with include stepfamily challenges, multigenerational issues, grief and loss, and loneliness.

Colene Sawyer Schlaepfer, M.F.T. (California Marriage and Family Therapist license #8925)

   "I have a master's degree in counseling and a Ph.D. in family therapy. I have been in practice for 25 years. During that time I have worked with parents and children, with singles, as a divorce counselor and with couples and families. My book Fishing By Moonlight, the Art of Choosing Intimate Partners was published in 1996.

   "My second book, Fishing by Moonlight, the Art of Enhancing Intimate Relationship, published in 2008, is available at www.fishingbymoonlight.com, Amazon.com, or at local book stores. I have been an active member of both the local chapter and the state board of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and also the International Family Therapy Association. Currently, I am President of the Board of the Sacramento Healthy Marriage Project."

Fred Schlaepfer, M.F.T. (California Marriage and Family Therapist license #33930)

   "I have an M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. from San Jose State. My early years of business experience help me relate to problems of the workplace which impinge on relationships. In my seventeen years of therapy practice I have worked with singles, couples and stepfamilies. I have long been interested in men's issues, and have facilitated men's groups. In addition, I have studied with Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Peter Pearson on specialized work with couples.

   "I have served on the boards of the Santa Clara Valley and Sacramento chapters of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Colene and I are listed on the National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists."

To Contact Us:

     Because we feel the choice of a therapist is important, we believe prospective clients should have an opportunity to get to know us. Therefore, we offer a free one-half hour introductory session.

     We offer, periodically, a one-day workshop based on Colene's book and a six week class on couple skills.

     For an appointment or more information, call us at (916) 294-0836 or send us email at Fred and Colene Schlaepfer