Certified Gottman Therapist
Licenses:
California LMFT #99008 | Texas LMFT #205614
Dr. Dana McNeil is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of The Relationship Place, a San Diego couples therapy practice specializing in high-acuity relationships, emotional disconnection, conflict repair, and intimacy concerns. She has achieved the highest level of training in the Gottman Method Couples Therapy and is known for her compassionate, direct, and practical approach to helping couples rebuild trust, communication, and closeness.
She is also the founder of Therapy Getaway, a structured couples intensive model designed for couples seeking deep, focused relationship repair. Dana has specialized expertise in midlife marriage challenges, empty nest transitions, and gray divorce, and provides training and professional education for therapists, including work connected to the Gottman Institute.
Her expertise has been featured in national publications including Oprah Daily, Martha Stewart Living, Men’s Health, Bustle, and SELF Magazine.
She is passionate about helping couples move from feeling like roommates to rebuilding emotional and physical connection.
- Valentine’s Day Date Ideas in San Diego: What Actually Feels Romantic? - February 10, 2026
- Military Infidelity: When an Affair Can Become a Career Ender - February 9, 2026
- Sexless Marriage? What to Do When IntimacyDisappears - February 5, 2026
Having a healthy sex life contributes to a happier relationship. In this article by Candidly, it is said that there are two words that can positively impact a couple’s sex life. These are the words “Thank You”
Dr. Dana McNeil, our founder, elaborated more on this, sharing why gratitude is essential in a relationship, and that couples should practice being more vocal about it.
Here’s a snippet from the article:
According to Dr. Dana McNeil of The Gottman Institute, “sharing fondness and admiration is something that even the most contemptuous and emotionally disconnected couples can easily manage to work into their relationship.” If it feels a bit forced or disingenuous at first, don’t worry. Just do it anyway.
This piece is written by Carolyn Firestone. You can read more of the article here.