About Dr. Meredith Hansen

My interest in helping people improve their relationships began while I was in graduate school. With a strong passion for understanding relationship success, I began studying and researching relationship satisfaction.

During this same time, a number of friends, family members, and co-workers were getting married. Over a four year period, my now husband and I attended well over 20 weddings.

As these weddings came and went I began to notice patterns emerge among some of the couples.

Their happiness and excitement seemed to fizzle as they planned their big day, and once their weddings had passed, some seemed unhappy.

I saw this pattern repeat over and over again

As a result, my interest in this life transition peaked and I began to interview newly married couples about their experiences. Over and over again I heard stories of conflict, frustration, and stress. The couples I met with reported fighting with each other and their families as they planned their weddings.

They shared that at times they thought of eloping in Las Vegas, calling the wedding off, or worrying that they were making a mistake or marrying the wrong person. A common thread of fear seemed to underlie the engagement and wedding planning process.

For newlyweds, life did not seem to get easier

Many couples reported ongoing fights over money, chores, laundry, in-laws, time together and apart, holidays, and so on. They described feeling disappointed in their new spouse, their marriage, and in themselves.

Women shared of expecting to be “superwoman”, taking care of the house, cooking, working, and entertaining, and some couples continued to wonder if they made a mistake.  Most stated that they felt alone in their experiences.

Unfortunately, the blissful, “happily ever after marriages” of their dreams were riddled with unacknowledged fears.

The silent struggles I witnessed influenced my career

The silent struggles I witnessed among friends and heard from strangers pushed me to dedicate my professional career to working with people who want to make their relationships last. With the divorce rate looming the in the 40-50% range for first marriages, couples need assistance in building healthy, lasting relationships.

While in school, I continued to research and study relationship satisfaction and success, particularly in the early phases of dating and marriage.  I learned what it takes to find love, how to create a strong relationship from the beginning, the value of premarital and newlywed counseling, key factors common in thriving marriages, and the impact a healthy relationship can have on one’s health and well-being.

I advocate working on your relationship early

With research supporting the efficacy of premarital and newlywed counseling, my professional goal is to increase awareness about the importance of working on your relationship early.

Studies have found that couples who enter premarital counseling experience increased marital satisfaction and improved relationship quality over time. Therefore, my aim is is to assist couples looking to build healthy, satisfying relationships from the start, and to support individuals who feel alone in the relationship doubts, dissatisfaction, and marital fears.

My qualifications and education

My education in psychology began at the University of Arizona (U of A), where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a minor in Family Studies. Following my time at U of A, I attended California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University in San Diego, CA. At CSPP I earned a Master of Arts degree in Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.).

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in California (PSY22674) and have a private practice in Newport Beach, California. For additional information about my practice or services, please contact me.