Dr. Dana McNeil, PsyD, LMFT

Dr. Dana McNeil, PsyD, LMFT Seeing a therapist doesn't mean you are flawed. Sometimes we just need a new set of tools.

08/18/2026

Why choose between repairing your relationship and taking a much-needed vacation when you can do both?

Standard weekly therapy is not for every couple. When you are trying to make major changes or navigate a crisis, dedicating just 50 minutes a week can feel like a slow process. That is why we created the Therapy Getaway Intensive.

Whether you are traveling to beautiful San Diego for a getaway or finally booking that much-needed local staycation as a local, imagine leaving the stress of work, household chores, and daily routines completely behind you. During the day, you and your partner will dive into highly focused, immersive sessions with our intensive specialists, accomplishing what would normally take months of traditional therapy in just two or three days.

The best part is what happens after your sessions. Your evenings are entirely yours to enjoy a true vacation or staycation. You get to decompress by walking on the beach, enjoying incredible dinners, and practicing your new connection tools in a relaxing, luxury environment. It is the perfect blend of transformative healing and a restorative retreat.

If you are ready for an experience that could change your relationship, tap the link in our bio or visit
www.sdrelationshipplace.com
to explore our intensive options and see upcoming availability

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If you take a peek behind the curtain of my life, you will find me doing so much beyond the therapy room with my amazing...
08/15/2026

If you take a peek behind the curtain of my life, you will find me doing so much beyond the therapy room with my amazing clients. You will often find me on stage, behind a microphone, or in front of a camera.

Life is all about relationships, and I truly love connecting with audiences as a public speaker, educator, and media contributor. You might have seen me as the resident relationship expert on the Cox Communications show “I Do” or featured in publications like Oprah Living, Business Insider, and Reader’s Digest.

Whether I am giving a keynote presentation, guesting on a podcast, or consulting for television, my goal is always the same: to be down to earth, funny, and direct in a loving way. I love taking complex relationship science and translating it into easy-to-apply, real-life advice that you can actually use. We could all get a little better at relationships, and I firmly believe learning how to do that should be fun.

If you are looking for an expert to bring actionable relationship insights to your next event, podcast, or media segment, Let’s Connect!

Dr Dana McNeil, speaker, relationship expert, LMFT, couples therapy educator, The Relationship Place,
Gottman therapist, mental health speaker, relationship advice, media contributor, therapy podcasts, public speaking, San Diego therapist, event speaker

He isn’t a certified therapy dog, just my personal shadow who occasionally comes to work with me. But he does happen to ...
08/14/2026

He isn’t a certified therapy dog, just my personal shadow who occasionally comes to work with me. But he does happen to be an absolute expert in one of the most important relationship skills: making bids for connection.

In the Gottman Method, a “bid” is any attempt to get your partner’s attention, affection, or support. It can be as obvious as asking for a hug, or as subtle as sighing heavily at the end of the day.

Windsor makes his bids incredibly obvious. He rests his head on my arm, nudges my hand when he wants a pet, or gives me these sweet puppy dog eyes. When he does this, I have a choice. I can turn away and ignore him OR I can turn towards him and give him the scratch behind the ears that he wants so badly.

Your partner is making bids all day long (though usually not by resting their chin on your keyboard!). How often are you turning towards them?

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Crunchy, silky, Type A, Type B... the internet has a label for every kind of parent. But the “Type C” trend currently ta...
08/11/2026

Crunchy, silky, Type A, Type B... the internet has a label for every kind of parent. But the “Type C” trend currently taking over feeds might be the most refreshing one yet.

If you are focused on what truly matters but have zero guilt about a messy living room or a last-minute fast food run, this one is for you.

Dr. Dana McNeil, PsyD, LMFT recently shared insights with Good Housekeeping on why finding the middle ground between flawless organization and total chaos is actually a gift to your kids. It is all about teaching them that growth comes from learning and adapting, not from getting everything right.

Swipe through for her top takeaways on raising resilient, happy kids without the burnout.

Read more insights about Type C Mom’s and over on the Blog!

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We are ready for your Therapy Getaway Intensive! Are you ready to make meaningful change in your relationship?Stepping a...
08/08/2026

We are ready for your Therapy Getaway Intensive! Are you ready to make meaningful change in your relationship?

Stepping away from the daily grind and escaping to San Diego allows couples to focus entirely on their relationship without everyday distractions. Whether you choose a two-day or three-day intensive, you will dive into hours of focused, personalized therapy. This immersive experience is equivalent to months of traditional 50-minute sessions, giving you the time and space to uncover what is driving your conflicts.

You might be wondering… what actually happens during a Therapy Getaway? Swipe through to see the itinerary, the environment, and the breakthrough moments couples can expect.

You will gain concrete tools based on the Gottman Method to help you heal, communicate effectively, and revive trust.
If you are ready to do the deep work and build a healthier relationship head to sdrelationshipplace.com to explore our Therapy Getaway packages, or send us a direct message with the word “GETAWAY” and we will send you all the details.

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08/06/2026

Are you Team Clean & Tidy, or are you Team Clutter-Blind? And why does it seem that these two opposite sides always end up marrying each other?

It is incredibly common for couples to find themselves in disagreements over how to keep and organize their shared space. Often, one person is deeply impacted by their environment and clutter, while their partner simply does not notice the left-out towel or the empty box that needs to go out to the recycling bin.

Learning how to ask for what you need is essential, even if a partner does not initially see the mess. In a healthy relationship, partners allow themselves to be influenced by one another. A successful compromise might mean agreeing to tackle the cleanup together on a Saturday, rather than expecting
perfection every single day.

For more conversations exploring the links between mental health, relationship dynamics, and our everyday environments, be sure to follow The D Spot

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It was an absolute privilege to dive into this topic recently with The Washington Post!Retirement is one of the biggest ...
08/04/2026

It was an absolute privilege to dive into this topic recently with The Washington Post!

Retirement is one of the biggest transitions a relationship will ever experience. Most couples spend years
preparing financially, but few spend time preparing emotionally. Retirement does not just end a career; it reveals the relationship you have been building all along.

To help you and your partner navigate this change, Dr. Dana created a free resource for you: “The Retirement Relationship Check-In”. This guide covers ten conversations every couple should have, exploring identity, expectations, gratitude, grief, and emotional readiness.

The strongest couples do not just prepare for retirement, they prepare for rediscovery.

Comment “CHECK IN” below and we will send the free download straight to your messages, or reach out via DM or email and we can get you your copy ASAP.

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Hi Friends,I hope you’re enjoying a wonderful summer and finding time to slow down, reconnect, and make memories with th...
07/31/2026

Hi Friends,
I hope you’re enjoying a wonderful summer and finding time to slow down, reconnect, and make memories with the people you love.

This season often brings vacations, family visits, celebrations, and a welcome break from our normal routines. While those experiences can be joyful, they also have a way of highlighting the
strengths, and sometimes the challenges, in our closest relationships.

Whether this time has brought you closer together or brought some underlying tension to the surface, remember that seeking support is a sign of strength.

Myself and the team at San Diego Couples Therapy are here to help you navigate those hurdles and turn them into opportunities for deeper connection.
Enjoy the rest of the summer as we head into August, and know that we are always in your corner.

Dr. Dana McNeil, PsyD, LMFT
Founder, The Relationship Place

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If you peeked at my nightstand right now, you’d find a stack of non-fiction that I’m constantly digging into. 📚 As a the...
07/29/2026

If you peeked at my nightstand right now, you’d find a stack of non-fiction that I’m constantly digging into. 📚

As a therapist, I’m truly a lifelong learner, I love soaking up new research, fresh
perspectives, and tangible tools that I can bring straight back into the therapy room to help my clients thrive.

My current read is The Power of No by Tanya Dantus Tanya Dantus

Learning to set healthy, compassionate boundaries is one of the most transformative things we can do for our relationships, and Tanya’s approach is nothing short of powerful. But what makes this read extra special to me is that Tanya and I recently connected and became fast friends! I am so inspired by her work that I hosted a book club discussion with her that was so insightful.

I’m always looking to add to my reading list- what book are you currently loving? Drop your recommendations below! 👇


San Diego Therapist, Mindful Relationships, Communication Skills, Mental Health Reads, Non-Fiction Books

07/22/2026

Summer is supposed to be the season of relaxing by the pool and taking it easy, right?

If you are actually finding that you and your partner are bickering more than usual right now, you are not doing anything wrong. In fact, summer is notoriously one of the highest-conflict seasons for couples!

Between kids being home, routines completely disappearing, the financial strain of summer camps and travel, and the immense pressure to have a “perfect” vacation, our nervous systems
are working overtime. When we are dysregulated by schedule disruptions, it is incredibly easy to take that stress out on the person closest to us.

Quick tip: Stop seeing your partner as the enemy. The schedule is the enemy.

Try having a 10-Minute Sunday Huddle. Look at the week ahead together and ask, “Where are our biggest
stress points this week, and how can we support each other through them?”

Are you feeling the “summer schedule strain” this year?


Address

2729 4th Avenue, Suite 2
San Diego, CA
92103

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16195358890

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