Craig Toonder, MFT

My partner and I began to see Craig about a year and a half ago — at a time when we knew we could figure things out, but also knew we couldn’t do it alone or with the tools we had then.
As an unmarried/​pre-​engaged couple, we were nervous about the financial investment, but it was quickly clear that every penny spent on time with Craig is worth it and then some.
Throughout our various sessions, Craig has offered us many gifts: frameworks for understanding ourselves and each other; communication strategies for good times and bad; space for us to be seen and heard, as individuals and as a couple, in the context of an effective and professional therapeutic relationship…
In the end, however, it may be that Craig’s greatest gift is his ability to offer a couple just what it and each individual needs to do things on their own, along with the empowerment to go do it :).

I am a massage therapist and took an Anatomy and Physiology class with Craig several years ago. He was a great instructor. His knowledge and experience of the mind/​body connection adds depth to his sensing and understanding of behavior. He is compassionate, listens well, and is genuinely committed to helping you where you are. He puts people at ease and creates a space for learning and growth.

My husband and I went to Craig for premarital counseling sessions. He is extremely intuitive, listens well, and gives you REAL exercises to work on improving any weak points your relationship may have. We were even more in love after leaving Craig’s office and we both agree that it was the best wedding money spent!

My partner and I have been to Craig for several couples’ counseling sessions. Your relationship doesn’t have to be a disaster or in a state of catastrophe to maybe need a bit of guidance. Sometimes things are just a little sticky or a little tired or maybe in a small rut. Craig’s body and mind method of guiding a couple towards finding each other again. He is extremely adept at identifying the patterns we tend to fall into and the way confrontations can spiral out of control. He’s really great at providing tools to improve communication and he does it in a way that leaves neither person feeling that they have lost out.
We are continuing to see Craig as a way of growing our relationship and using his advice and his methods to bring us closer together. I can really recommend his services for couples who are experiencing difficulties or those that just want a tune up!

Craig has really helped me to understand any problems that arise in my current relationship. Since I just changed from an in-​person to a long-​distance relationship, I seek his professional guidance to maintain and improve upon the communication between my partner and I. Craig’s patience and eagerness to help others really shows in his work. Craig knows how to put things into perspective for us in ways that we can thoroughly understand. He is one in a million.

Craig Tooder offers a new approach to couples counseling. My husband and I took an 8-​week couples communications course that Craig taught. We were able to see that the fights we have all boil down to a couple of larger issues we have as individuals, and we learned how to tackle those together. After more than 21 years, it’s as if we have a new relationship. I can’t say enough positive things about the course and Craig’s abilities as a counselor.

Craig was very helpful in assisting me and my partner sort through what was getting in the way of our communication. He really helped us see each other’s point of view and learn to share our more vulnerable feelings with each other. We especially enjoyed how much space and support he gave each of us to explore what was really bothering us without feeling blamed or judged. Our relationship has deepened greatly with the insights we gained with the help of Craig. What surprised me most was that I learned things about me partner that I don’t think I would have ever known — and I contribute it to Craig that we were finally able to open up fully to each other.