Sigrid
The best way to celebrate Tanz in den Mai is to talk about romance, relationships, and how to move to Germany and still believe in love. For that, we have Tapas and Kate with us today. They’ve just launched their new relationship app, and we’re excited to hear all about it. Welcome to Expert Berlin!

Tapas
Thank you very much.

Katerina
Thank you for inviting us.

Why Couples Need Therapy?

Sigrid
Let’s start with the basics. Why do couples need therapy?

Katerina
As a sex and relationship therapist, I’ve seen that couples often let small tensions accumulate over time. On average, couples wait three years before seeking therapy. That means three years of unresolved conflict—three years of emotional weight—before they reach out for help. By then, the issue has grown into something much harder to resolve.

Sigrid
That’s a toddler! Three years—your problem is already walking and talking.

Katerina
Exactly. And by that point, there’s often a lot of resentment, making things even more complex. Add to that the fact that therapy is expensive and hard to access, and you can see why many couples delay it for so long. But those who do go? They see amazing results.

From Personal Experience to Product: The Relatable App

Sigrid
That leads perfectly into your app. Tapas, can you tell us a bit about how it works?

Tapas
Absolutely. The idea came from my own personal experience—I’ve done a lot of couples therapy myself. I noticed that therapists use a structured process: they guide couples through difficult conversations, helping them understand each other and find resolution. But therapy is underused—even though it’s incredibly effective.

So we thought: what if we could recreate that experience digitally? That’s how Relatable was born.
Relatable is a space where couples—or even just one partner—can work through tough conversations. You talk to the app, and it gives you real-time guidance, powered by AI. It helps you reflect, communicate better, and take the next steps toward clarity and connection.

Sigrid
So it’s not just about arguing over the dishes—it goes much deeper.

Tapas
Exactly. And it’s built to help with both the little things and the big ones.

Katerina
Right—any tension, big or small, can be brought to the app and worked through.

Running a Cross-Border Startup

Sigrid
You’re both based in different cities—Berlin and Paris. Has that affected your startup journey?

Katerina
It hasn’t impacted the app’s development itself, but administratively, yes. We’ve had to deal with differences between French and German systems—taxes, salaries, legal structures. Bureaucracy is complicated in both countries, so it’s been a process figuring out where to base things officially.
Testing and Launching

Sigrid
What phase is Relatable currently in?

Tapas
We tested in beta last year and earlier this year. Two or three weeks ago, we did a quiet release on both app stores—App Store and Google Play. It’s live now, free to use, and we’re gathering feedback while preparing to launch a paid version soon.

Sigrid
So if someone downloads it today, what can they expect?

Katerina
The app guides you through self-reflection or a shared conversation—whether you’re using it alone or with a partner. Just search “Relatable for Couples” and look for the blue logo.

Tapas
Yes, go for the blue logo! There’s also a green one, but that’s not us. Ours has a handwritten-style „eL“ and a calming blue tone.

What About Singles?

Sigrid
Are you thinking of building something for singles too?

Tapas
Yes, we’re experimenting with that. Berlin has over 50% single residents, so we’re very aware of that need. Dating apps don’t solve everything—so we’re working on what might.

Sigrid
We always hear „communication is key“—but what does that really mean?

Katerina
It means digging into the cycle of conflict. What are your triggers? What emotions come up? What story are you telling yourself in your head? And how do you react?
Therapy helps identify these patterns and teaches couples to respond differently—with more compassion and awareness.

Tapas
There’s also research showing that 69% of couples‘ issues aren’t solvable—they’re rooted in personality or values. The key isn’t fixing everything, but learning how to manage conflict, recover faster, and reconnect after hard conversations. That’s what makes a strong couple.

Sigrid
Have you found any cultural patterns in how couples argue?

Katerina
Absolutely. Cultural backgrounds—and family histories—shape beliefs and behaviors around everything: money, intimacy, parenting. These can become sources of friction, but also of growth, if couples approach them constructively.

A Personal Journey Turned Mission

Sigrid
So how did you personally get into this field?

Tapas
Four years ago, I went through a divorce. It was incredibly painful and stressful—for both of us. Looking back, I couldn’t have changed the outcome, but I do think there were better ways to handle the process.

That experience led me to create a small card game to help people talk about meaningful topics. Eventually, it evolved into the idea for Relatable. I wanted therapy to be more accessible—because hundreds of millions of couples struggle in silence. That became my mission.

Also, I met my now-fiancée on Tinder in Berlin, which is surprising—we’ve been together four years and are engaged now!

Sigrid
Still finding love in Berlin—there’s hope!

Tapas
Absolutely. And working on this app while working on my own relationship has been transformative.

Katerina
For me, it was about deconstructing the cultural beliefs I brought with me. I’m originally from Russia, a very gendered society. Moving to France helped me question those roles. What do I really need in a relationship?

That reflection helps shape the conversations we build into Relatable. Often, it’s not about the flowers—it’s about being seen and valued. And sometimes all it takes is a little conversation to realign.

Sigrid
It sounds like this project has changed both of you on a personal level.

Tapas
It has. We’ve grown in our own relationships—and our co-founder relationship too. It’s been a rich journey.

Sigrid
Maybe next you can help us fix our relationship with German bureaucracy?

Katerina
That would be epic!

Sigrid
Where can people find Relatable?

Tapas
Go to the App Store or Play Store, search Relatable for Couples, and download the version with the blue logo. Or check out our website at relatable.love.

Katerina
And follow us on Instagram at @relatable.love for relationship tips and updates.

Sigrid
Thank you both so much. I still have hope—maybe I’ll need the app sooner than I think! And we can’t wait to have you back in a few months to see how it’s going.

Tapas
Thank you for having us.

Katerina
Thank you so much. Use Relatable!