Marnie Breecker, LMFT, CSAT, CPS

Our CEO

 Marnie Breecker is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and Certified Clinical Partners Specialist (CCPS). Since 2008, Marnie has worked with sex addicts, partners of sex addicts and couples impacted by betrayal trauma in both private practice and intensive outpatient settings including The Sexual Recovery Institute (SRI) and The Institute for Sexual Health (ISH) in Los Angeles.

Marnie completed her sex addiction training under Dr. Patrick Carnes and has been a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) since 2010. She has completed extensive training with Pia Mellody, level 1 Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) training with Stan Tatkin and level 1 training in Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Treatment (DSTT) with Dr. Omar Minwalla. Marnie was also a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS).

Marnie founded the Center for Relational Healing (CRH) in 2011. Over the past thirteen years, CRH has grown into a highly regarded outpatient treatment center, providing personalized intensive programs as well as individual, couple and group therapy for clients struggling primarily with sex and love addiction and betrayal trauma.

Marnie is the host of the Helping Couples Heal podcast and the co-founder and CEO of Helping Couples Heal, a global coaching organization dedicated to helping couples heal after betrayal.

Marnie’s greatest professional passion is educating others on the complexity of betrayal and its traumatic impact on intimate partners and relationships and helping people heal. Her greatest personal passion is her 5 year old son and finding reasons every day to laugh.

Consultation Services Available In: English

ONGOING COACHING NOT AVAILABLE

Ilyse Craft

Our President

lyse Craft serves as the President of Helping Couples Heal, bringing years of leadership and client relations experience.


Ilyse is a betrayal trauma Coach, trained in Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Treatment (DSTT) and Integrity Abuse Disorder with Dr. Omar Minwalla, and the Helping Couples Heal poly-theoretical treatment model with Marnie Breecker, providing clients with powerful tools to navigate the complexity of betrayal.


Ilyse holds multi-certifications as a Master Transformational Life Coach , Certified Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Practitioner, Certified Breath-work Practitioner, and offers a holistic and somatic approach to healing.


She developed the Helping Couples Heal Intensive Coaching Program (HCH-ICP) for Clients looking for a higher level of support as they navigate the impact and challenges of betrayal. In addition to her leadership role, Ilyse works with clients individually as part of the HCH-ICP program. Her warm and compassion nature coupled with years of leadership experience make her an invaluable part of the HCH team.

Consultation Services Available In: English

Chris Jones, CPC, MBACP

Jaclyn Schwartz, LMFT

Jaclyn works with clients on an individual level as well as facilitates workshops for couples to introduce the healing process for addicts and loved ones using a trauma-based model.
Jaclyn has many years of experience working with chemical and behavioral addictions in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She completed her training through APSATS (The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists).

Jaclyn has created and facilitated process and intimacy groups for both men and women, sex-addiction groups, partners of addicts groups, and is planning on bringing these groups to the San Diego area.

Coaching Services Available In: English (Disclosure Prep Only)

Mary Ellen Brown, CAPPS, APSATS, BRE/C, DSTP, PSAP-Candidate

Mary Ellen is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and Energy Leadership Index-Master Practitioner (ELI-MP) through iPEC– the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in religious education and counseling and is a member of the International Coaching Federation. Mary Ellen is a Certified Partner Coach with APSATS, the Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists. She has completed additional training in betrayal trauma, therapeutic disclosures, nouthetic counseling and couple-centered recovery coach training. She is A Door of Hope trained Peer Group Facilitator and has facilitated weekly groups for partners dealing with betrayal trauma for the last four years. Mary Ellen is passionate about providing safety throughout the recovery process so clients can experience healing and growth in their personal lives. She encourages those she works with to embrace their core values, principles and beliefs so they can make the best decisions for their own recovery.

Coaching Services Available In: English

Michellene Burke, CPC, HCDC, PPNE, DSTP, AASECT-Candidate

Michellene has been working at HCH since 2021. She is a betrayal trauma specialist with a wealth of experience in sex addiction, compulsive sexuality, integrity abuse and sexuality. Michellene coaches individuals and couples and is an integral part of the Helping Couples Heal Online Couples Community leadership team.

Michellene has a background in prenatal & perinatal psychology (PPNE). She is credentialed to guide and support relationships that have experienced high conflict and betrayal trauma and is an Associate Member of the American Bar Association specializing in Family Law. She earned a degree from University of Oklahoma in Women’s and Gender Studies & Leadership and has completed continuing education in Psychology and Trauma through the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM).

Michellene is trained in the Helping Couples Heal Betrayal and Coaching Model (HCHBCM) with Marnie Breecker and Deceptive Sexuality and Trauma Treatment (DSTT) with Dr. Minwalla. She is also trained as a sexual health practitioner and sexuality educator through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).

Michellene is passionate about helping her clients heal from the impact of betrayal and relational trauma. Her poly-theoretical coaching approach is trauma-informed, partner and couples-centered with a strong emphasis on education and empowerment.

Michellene embraces her inner child through her love of Disney and spending time on the water. She believes that a beautiful tomorrow always shines at the end of every day.

Coaching Services Available In: English

Susan Rankin, ICF ACC, APSATS-CPC

Susan is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) through iPEC- the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching.  She has years of experience working with betrayed partners and couples dealing with infidelity and is ERCEM trained.

She has completed betrayal trauma training through APSATS (The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists) and uses their Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model with her clients.   Susan uses her own unique experience as a Marine Corps veteran, healthcare worker, and betrayed partner to empower others to heal, grow and thrive after trust has been broken in their relationship.

Coaching Services Available In: English

Luke Katuin, MSW

Luke integrates a variety of modalities into his coaching practice including mindfulness, loving-kindness meditation, Internal Family Systems and cognitive behavioral strategies.

After working through the effects of trauma, PTSD, and addiction firsthand, Luke realized that helping others in this process was a great way to give back to those who helped him.  Luke believes each situation calls for different methods, and all start from being accepted, validated, and empathized with.  Life is tough, and Luke is on your team.  Luke wants to help empower people to overcome their challenges and live the lives they deserve.

Coaching Services Available In: English

Iman Sadeghi, PhD, DSTP

Iman is a dually certified Relationship Coach and Life Coach. He has also been trained in navigating betrayal trauma in Dr. Omar Minwalla’s DST Professional Education Course.

He has a diverse background and passion for travel, art, and science from which he utilizes various skills in his coaching practices. Having experienced different cultures in over 30 countries around the globe, he is able to analyze interpersonal disharmony from unique perspectives. Being an artist at heart, he incorporates empathy and compassion in his creative solutions. And having obtained a doctorate in computer science, he offers structured problem-solving approaches to conflict resolution.

Iman’s goal while working with couples is to hold a sacred space to help them rebuild trust, restore harmony, and reopen the gateway for honesty, respect, and love.

Coaching Services Available In: English, Persian

Jessie Craft, Client Services Specialist and Betrayal Trauma Coach

Jessie holds two very important roles at HCH. As lead Client Services Specialist, Jessie helps prospective clients learn about and enroll in coaching services.

Jessie is a dedicated and compassionate betrayal trauma coach with a specialization in sex and intimacy and a passion for healing and helping others. She has a strong background in process addiction recovery, fueled by her own healing and transformation journey. 

As a candidate for a Master’s degree in Psychology and a certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Jessie’s coaching approach is rooted in trauma-informed care, emphasizing compassion, education, empathy and curiosity.  As a level 1 Reiki practitioner and Registered Yoga Teacher, Jessie includes somatic-focused practices in her coaching to help clients identify and regulate stress and promote a calm nervous system. Somatic coaching can also help people navigate difficult emotions and work through painful memories.

Jessie has extensive experience working with individuals and couples and she has facilitated relational recovery groups with a specialized focus on integrating healthy sexuality. Additionally, she has mentored dozens of women, providing personalized support and guidance in their recovery processes.

Jessie brings a unique gift of self-care and radical self compassion expertise to Helping Couples Heal.  She is deeply committed to creating a safe and supportive space for her clients to achieve their goals with support, education and skills.  Jessie believes that a deep well of healing lies within each human heart.

Coaching Services Available In: English

Scott Rankin, CPC, ELI-MP

Scott is a Betrayal Trauma Coach, Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and Energy Leadership Index-Master Practitioner (ELI-MP) through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC).
He has completed Dr. Omar Minwalla’s Level 1 Illumination Series: Understanding the Psychological Abuse, Victimization, and Trauma associated with Infidelity and Compulsive Sexual Behavior.

Scott served in the United States Marine Corps and recently retired from a long term career in law enforcement. During that time he gained a great deal of experience in leadership, training and serving people in crisis.  

His past career experience coupled with his own addiction and relational recovery journey has led Scott to a career in betrayal trauma coaching. He has worked extensively with men in various groups and individually to model, coach and mentor them to move away from unwanted behavior and reclaim their integrity.  

Scott’s passion for this work comes from a place of gratitude for all of the compassion and kindness extended to him in his own recovery. As someone who has healed and restored his own marriage after betrayal , Scott’s goal is to give hope to those who are still suffering.

Coaching Services Available In: English

Zoë Kors, CPCC, ABSCS, CISTT

Zoë is a sought-after sex and intimacy expert. She is a Certified Co-active Coach, Certified Sexologist, and Certified Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapist. In addition, she is a Certified Death Doula and hospice volunteer. Zoë is the author of Radical Intimacy: Cultivate the Deeply Connected Relationships You Desire and Deserve. She is a  resident sex and intimacy coach and contributor at Coral, the sexual wellness app. As our resident sex and intimacy coach, Zoë works with clients to reintroduce healthy sexuality and intimacy after the trauma of betrayal.

Coaching Services Not Available

Richard Butler, CPC, APSATS-CPC, NLP Practitioner

In Memoriam

Richard used his first-hand experience of the challenges of healing from problematic sexual behaviours, professional knowledge and skills to support men seeking sobriety, recovery, healing and freedom. Richard had a BA in Science and a Post Graduate Certification in Education. He was a Certified Professional Coach through the International Coaching Federation and an APSATS Certified Partner Coach. He was trained in Sex Addiction, Intimacy Anorexia and was working toward his level 4 Counseling Diploma.

Ana Gonzalez

Client Support Services