Because of the many variables involved the outcome of relationship counseling is hard to determine, but in cases where the couple is willing to do what is suggested and stay in treatment long enough for things to be resolved, most couples recover from the difficulties and remain together. Without therapy, the failure rate is about 80%. Although we seldom recommend separation except in cases of domestic violence and abuse, if the couple chooses to separate, the therapist will do everything possible to help the clients through this difficult emotional time.
Dating continues to be a real challenge especially because many couples are waiting for marriage until they get their careers or lives established. The number of couples who choose to live together rather than get married continues to increase. Unfortunately, couples who cohabitate have more than an 80% failure rate. Is a study done in Sweden with a trial marriage law found that couples who lived together before marriage had an increased divorced rate of 250% and they did not experience any of the benefits normally experienced in marriage.
Most clients usually are able to pay for family counseling with their health insurance. If they do not have insurance they qualify for our self-pay sliding scale. The fee is $145 for the first initial interview session due to the additional analysis involved. Additional sessions are $125 for a state licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Professional Counselor, or social worker. If money is a major issue you may apply for a sliding scale, referral to a non-licensed, degreed counselor on a sliding scale plan or a lay or student counselor. However, it should be realized that the emotional cost of a failed relationship will usually exceed any amount of money expended on therapy.
What is the success rate of couples therapy?
In fact, research shows that couples therapy positively impacts 70% of those receiving treatment. And for many couples, seeking out professional help can be the difference between making the long haul or becoming a divorce statistic.
The therapist meets with the couple weekly until the relationship is stabilized or the major issues resolved and then meet bi-weekly as the relationship improves. We have a test you can take online for only $35 that will help you identify growth areas needing specific therapy. Because the failure rate of cohabiting couples is about 80% without treatment, this type of counseling is critical for the success of the relationship.We require 24 hours’ notice of cancellation, or you will be charged $100 for the missed appointment. An occasional exception may be made in the case of an emergency. It’s important that you meet with your therapist consistently in order to make progress. We send out courtesy text or voicemail reminders regarding upcoming appointments. Don’t hesitate to ask us about this policy. The fee is $180 per 50-minute session. Payment will be collected at the time of service. Additional time required for court, reports, and coordination for providers will be billed at the regular hourly rate. Court Rate is $180 and includes travel time. Life is about relationships. ICT Therapyworks is a private practice of independent therapists offering individual, couple, and family therapy services to promote healthy relationships. This includes intimate, work, family and peer relationships. In addition to exploring your relationship with others, our practice focuses on the connection you have with yourself. We also offer educational trainings and workshops, retreats, groups, and outreach services. We are a team of diverse therapists sensitive to culture, spirituality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and economic status.* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
What's the difference between couples therapy and couples Counselling?
Marriage counseling tends to deal with present day events rather than the past. It focuses on the ‘now’ and the challenges of married life so that you can get your relationship back on track. Couples therapy deals with the present day but also any history that causes unhealthy patterns of relating.
That’s not a problem! If your therapist asks you a question that you don’t want to answer, just tell them that you’re not ready to discuss it. Perhaps you can come back to that topic when you’re ready.
Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your rates and insurance coverage carefully by asking the following questions:It’s important to feel that there is a good fit between your personality and your therapist’s personality. Find one you are comfortable with, one you can trust, and one who helps you grow while challenging you. We generally recommend meeting with a therapist for 2-3 sessions before deciding to continue or discontinue sessions with that therapist. For help with deciding on the right therapist for you, call our office and our friendly staff would be happy to help you find the therapist that best fits your needs.
Once you have made a decision to see a therapist, you still might be apprehensive about the process. Many people feel nervous before their first appointment. The first session will be an initial assessment to discuss your history and needs for treatment. During this first session you will have the opportunity to see how therapy will work, review office policies, privacy and confidentiality, as well as determine whether or not you are comfortable with the therapist. Some therapists will conduct an “intake,” also known as a biopsychosocial assessment, in the first session. During the intake process, you may be asked questions about topics like family background, mental health history, physical health, education, relationship history, and substance use history. Other therapists will wait for you to begin talking or they’ll begin the session with a simple question like, “So what brings you in today?” There isn’t a right or wrong approach. You want to find a therapist whose style fits with your personality.
ICT Therapyworks is dedicated to building healthy relationships because relationships are central to healing. If you are distressed about communicating with a loved one, managing conflict, building intimacy, or struggling to connect in a healthy way with partners, parents, siblings, friends, or co-workers, give us a call today at (316) 260-6889.*A client experienced a health emergency during a session. In this case, medical staff would be provided only with necessary information. No information about why a client is in therapy will be shared.
Is it worth trying couples counseling?
Fortunately, empirically-based couples therapy has demonstrated that couples therapy can create a positive change for 70% of couples. And these changes actually last. However, couples often do not seek research-based solutions to improve their relationship.
All ICT Therapyworks therapists are licensed mental health professionals with at least one graduate degree in social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or psychology. They also have post-graduate training in various topics, including trauma, grief and loss, post-partum counseling, couples counseling, sex therapy, and mind-body integrative therapy.Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist’s office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Primary Care Provider, Attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
Therapy sessions are typically 45-50 minutes. Clients typically meet on a weekly or biweekly basis depending on the client’s needs. Length of time while in therapy will depend on the individual client’s circumstance. You and your therapist will determine that together.People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new baby), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, parenting concerns, and spiritual conflicts. Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development.Therapy can provide you support, problem solving skills, and coping strategies for a wide range of issues. Benefits of therapy depend on your commitment and level of readiness. Some benefits can include boosting self-confidence or improving self-esteem, improving communication skills, learning new coping skills, attaining a better understanding of yourself, changing old patterns and developing new ones, or managing your emotional feeling such as sadness, anger or other emotions you may be feeling.
What type of therapist is best for couples therapy?
marriage and family therapists Only marriage and family therapists have specialized education, training and experience in helping couples. It’s because of the significant differences between the professional education, training, and licensure requirements for the different kinds of providers.
Yes! We offer telehealth so that you can attend therapy wherever is convenient for you. You can attend telehealth sessions without worrying about traveling, so you can schedule less time per session and can attend therapy during inclement weather or illness.
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process – such as reading a book, journaling on specific topics, practicing mindfulness or communication techniques, noting particular behaviors, or taking action on your goals.
We accept insurance, health savings accounts, flex-spending accounts, all major credit cards, cash, and checks for co-payments and out-of-pocket sessions.
At New Perspectives, our goal as marital counselors is to strengthen good relationships and help restore broken ones. We provide relationship counseling for those starting a new relationship, those seeking to improve an existing one, or those picking up the broken pieces of a damaged relationship.Don’t give up before you try. Your relationship is worth saving. Contact us now to speak with someone who has the knowledge, experience, and compassion to help you navigate any obstacles in your relationship.
Every couple has their own unique issues, and even new couples quickly realize that relationships are complicated. However, healthy and rewarding relationships take hard work, regardless of their differences.
By attending our counseling sessions with your partner, you will learn how to improve communication, negotiate and compromise successfully, define boundaries, heal past hurts and resentments, and deal with conflicts. We can help you work out difficult issues, such as infidelity and breach of trust, and strengthen the relationship you already have.
The licensed and experienced therapists at Wichita Family Counseling see clients for a range of needs, including individual therapy, couple/marriage counseling and family therapy, depression and anxiety, abuse and trauma, play therapy, chronic pain, grief counseling, parenting education and support, and special therapies like EMDR, CBT, and DBT. Using a variety of tools, we partner with our clients to develop realistic solutions that improve the quality of health, life and relationships.
While counseling can certainly be an expense for individuals and families in Wichita, with proper budgeting, it is entirely do-able and the risk/reward is worth it. For some families, it may be difficult to sustain a commitment to therapy without proper insurance coverage. If this is you, ask your therapist about low cost options as practitoners in and around Wichita may have flexibility or sliding scales. Low cost counseling and affordable therapy are also sometimes offered by listed city and university level clinics, check with your local Wichita public health department.Is the honeymoon over? Sometimes daily responsibilities, stress, or crisis can take the romance out of relationships. When a relationship is strong there is honesty, love and confidence that your spouse will be there when you most need them. Don’t let your relationship suffer until there is no recovery. I work with couples who want to reconnect, or work on communication, conflict resolution, and other issues to keep their relationship strong or rebuild what they once shared. Whatever the state of your relationship, your decision to engage in counseling is a positive step toward creating a loving, supportive relationship with your partner.
Still searching? We want you to know we have GREAT therapists for you to speak with who practice online therapy. There are many licensed therapists on Theravive who practice online. Working with an E-Counselor from Theravive is real therapy, not a quick gimmick or a chat app, but actual counseling governed by ethics and regulatory bodies. Search our online therapists who provide professional counseling services over Skype, Email and/or Phone. All therapists on Theravive are licensed and registered professionals.Wichita is located in Sedgwick County, Kansas. It has a land area of 160.37 square miles and a water area of 4.36 square miles.  The population of Wichita is 389,965 people with 150,683 households and a median annual income of $45,947. . The reason I use the word may is because sometimes things will be shared that will be deal-breakers for one partner thus leading to the end of the relationship. Or one partner has already emotionally divorced the other and has no desire to work on the relationship. These couples are among the 30% of couples who therapy has not worked. See discernment counseling below for another path. For example, a client mentioned that she was “overwhelmed with fear that bringing up issues in therapy would only make things worse,” highlighting her conflict-avoidant style, but as the sessions went on and she began to experiment with bringing up more issues, she indicated, “it was like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. It’s nice not having to carry the burden alone.” And when both partners do their part and remain committed to the process and the relationship, the results of therapy may create a better relationship.
What is the downside of couples therapy?
Cons of Couples Therapy Therapy is a long-term process, and requires a commitment from each individual for the relationship to work. It is a process that is better done sooner rather than later, so that the healing can happen before damage is too severe. Boundaries may become confusing.
Some research suggests that when individuals in high conflict marriages divorce, their happiness and wellbeing improves on average. Source: Amato, P. R., & Hohmann-Marriot, B. (2007). A comparison of high- and low-distress marriages that end in divorce. Journal of Marriage and Family, 69, 621-638.
Lebow, J. L., Chambers, A. L., Christensen, A., & Johnson, S. M. (2012). Research on the treatment of couple distress. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38(1), 145-168.Doherty, W. J., Harris, S. M., & Wilde, J. L. (2016). Discernment Counseling for “Mixed-Agenda” Couples. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 42(2), 246–255.
What not to say to a marriage counselor?
Here are a few things that you should not tell your marriage counselor.”Don’t tell my husband/wife this, but …” Sorry, as marriage counselors we’re not supposed to take sides and we can’t keep important secrets from your partner. … 2. ” No, I think you’re wrong” … 3. ” That’s it; I want a divorce”
Robles, T., Slatcher, R., Trombello, J., & McGinn, M. (2014). Marital quality and health: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 140, 140-187. If these are actively happening in your relationship and your partner shows no remorse or willingness to change their behavior, then divorce may be the best option. “Individuals at the crossroads of divorce can sometimes feel like they have to choose between two competing options. ‘Do I divorce so that I can find happiness again, or do I stay together for the family’s sake and remain unhappy?’ We think that is a false choice. There is good evidence to suggest that with the proper help and willingness on the part of both spouses, many marriages that might otherwise end in divorce can become healthy, vibrant, and supportive.”Albrow, J., Measelle, J., Cowan, P., & Cowan, C. (2009). Linking marital conflict and children’s adjustment: The role of young children’s perceptions. Journal of Family Psychology, 23, 485-499. The goal of Discernment Counseling is to gain clarity and confidence in determining the future direction of the marriage based on a deep understanding of how the marriage got to this point and each spouse’s contributions to the issues. Discernment Counseling ranges between one to five sessions and ends with the decision to either keep the marriage as it is (status quo), to move forward with divorce, or commit to six months of couples therapy in an all-out effort with divorce off the table. Difficult conflict can lead to things being said that hurt us at our core. The growing emotional distance can leave us feeling like we are stranded on a boat in the middle of an ocean—desperate for connection, safety, and security.And sometimes accessing these difficult feelings and shining a light on the underlying contributions to your relationship’s turmoil, may lead you both to decide to divorce, hopefully amicably. For highly conflicted couples, research indicates that this can be healthy.
There are even therapists who offer an annual Couple Checkup to help you explore your relationship strengths and opportunities for improvement for the next year. Like a physical therapist, they examine how well your relationship functions and then offer exercises to help strengthen areas that could otherwise lead to more injuries if left untreated.
Hawkins, A. J., Fackwell, T. A., & Harris, S. M. (2013). Should I try to work it out? A guidebook for individuals and couples at the crossroads of divorce. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.Stanley, S., Amato, P., Johnson, C., & Markman, H. (2006). Premartial education, marital quality, and marital stability. Findings from a large, random, household survey. Journal of Family Psychology, 20, 117-126. Johnson, C., Stanely, S., Glenn, N., Amato, P., Nock, S., Markman, H., & Dion, M. (2002). Marriage in Oklahoma: 2001 baseline statewide survey on marriage and divorce (SO2096 OKDHS). Oklahoma City, OK: Oklahoma Department of Human Services. The reality is, if you do nothing to improve your relationship over time, even if you aren’t doing something destructive, your relationship will decline. The same goes for your car, your house, and your teeth.
Not pursuing couples therapy when there are underlying emotions and issues that are wreaking havoc on your relationship’s emotional connection and each partner’s wellbeing can create bigger and more serious obstacles to overcome in the future. It’s like a large boulder rolling out of control down a hill. The farther it rolls, the more damage it causes and the harder it is to push it back to the place it belongs.
You can start by reading my article, 5 Steps to Inspire Your Partner to Join You in Attending Couples Therapy. If you’ve tried without success and your partner simply won’t go to couples therapy, you could attend The Art and Science of Love workshop instead. While it’s not a substitute for therapy, it can help get your relationship back on track.
The lack of commitment and trust perpetuates toxic interactions that push us farther away from each other, rather than building a bridge back to one another.Whisman, M. (2007). Marital distress and DSM-IV psychiatric disorders in a population based national survey. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 116, 638-643. A well-trained couples therapist who seeks to deeply understand you and your partner can support you in implementing strategies and tools to change the way you communicate, as well as shift unhealthy dynamics in your relationship. They can help you bring forth difficult feelings in a vulnerable way that helps your partner see you better and helps create a recipe to win your heart. Gottman, J. M. (1994). What predicts divorce? The relationship between marital processes and marital outcomes. Hillsdale, NK: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
Whitehead, B. D. (2007). The state of our unions 2007: The social health of marriage in America. Piscataway, NJ: National Marriage project (see pp. 18-19).As described in Divorce Prevention: The Light Switch of Love Dilemma, the best intervention for your relationship is prevention. Like getting a flu shot before getting the flu, attending couples therapy can help you build healthy relationship skills and habits that equip you with the tools to overcome issues that arise together.
Shining a light on difficult relationship problems is not easy, but it can lead to addressing deeper issues that impact you and your partner’s mental and physical wellbeing.
The other option for couples at the crossroads of divorce is to try Discernment Counseling, which is not couples therapy. Discernment Counseling was designed to work with the 30% of “mixed-agenda couples,” meaning one spouse wants to work on the relationship while the other is seriously considering divorce. The fact that survey research of divorced people indicates that half of divorced individuals wished they had made more of an effort to overcome marital challenges and avoid divorce makes Discernment Counseling worth considering.Marriage counseling tends to deal with present day events rather than the past. It focuses on the ‘now’ and the challenges of married life so that you can get your relationship back on track.Like any type of therapy or counseling, the goal is usually the same: to help the person manage or overcome some type of emotional or psychological hindrance.
Can I see the same therapist as my boyfriend?
There is no law that prohibits therapists from seeing two people who know each other, or even two members of the same family. In some small communities, there may not even be a choice. For example, a high school or college may only have one mental health therapist on-site.
Relationships can be a roller coaster, and no matter how long you have been in them, they are a work in progress. Maintaining a good marriage takes time and patience, and many times the help of a professional. Many couples seek marriage counseling before the wedding. These types of marriage counseling techniques can ensure that partners are entering a relationship as strong and healthy as can be. Marriage and couples counseling overlap so much that it can be hard to notice the difference. Many in the industry use the words interchangeably, which can add to the confusion. “Around 30 percent of the couples coming into marriage counseling are mixed agenda couples,” says Bill Doherty, a professor in the family social science department at the University of Minnesota Couples therapy techniques are similar to marriage counseling, but the problems dealt with have a history, creating unhealthy patterns of relating. Therapists look for the reasons behind the emotions that drive these patterns.
If you’re looking for a place that can provide you with the marriage counseling or couples therapy techniques to get your relationship back on track, look no further.
Expect to be prompted to talk openly and honestly about your relationship. You might be asked to speak about topics that could make you a bit uncomfortable, but it allows your therapist to get to the root of certain marital problems.Through the use of both short-term solution-focused therapy and deeper relational techniques, we guide clients to find the relationships they long for.
While every therapist’s process is different, sessions typically begin by covering informed consent rules, and then discussing the “why” of your attendance. This first session will include goals and desires, and deciding if individual sessions may also be important. There is no time-line for how long the sessions may continue. It could be weeks or months. You will want to be open, honest and of course patient.
Couples therapy also deals with communication and how to resolve conflict. It can also cover issues such as substance abuse, infidelity and child-rearing conflicts.According to Marriage Guardian, “Marriage counseling tends to deal with present events more than past events. Counselors provide advice and/or show you how to develop your own rational solutions. Couples therapy deals with the present day but also any history that causes unhealthy patterns of relating. You will look back on previous fights and arguments and get to the root of your problems and how it all started. While they are often interchangeable terms, the two may vary for several reasons. Things like how they approach sessions to licenses and training. Sometimes the word counseling can mean short-term. It’s important to ask the right questions when contacting a professional in your area so that you can work with the right person.
It is important to find a marriage therapist who has specific training and is experienced in marriage and couples counseling. Asking the right questions is critical. Be sure your therapist can address the issues you need to sort out and that when you speak with them you feel comfortable, instinctively.
Whether you seek counseling before or during your marriage is completely up to the individual. If you have any concerns, any time is a good time to seek professional help.
Marriage Guardian is adamant that “…the goals in both can be the same, such as reduce conflict, change behavior, change your responses to your spouse’s behavior, find realistic and practical solutions, and empower you as a couple to make a terrific marriage.”Find a professional in your area and do some research on what they specialize in. It’s important to speak to them directly while ensuring that you ask all the right questions. It will be a matter of instinct as to whether or not this professional is right for you. Take your time.Marriage rates are on the decline. While it’s an oft-repeated statistic that 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce, that number has remained unchanged for the past 30 years.
How much is couples therapy in us?
In general, couples counseling costs between $100-200 per hour. Given that most professional couples counselors offer 90-minute sessions for couples, that means you’ll pay between $150 and $300 for each one-and-a-half hour couples counseling session. Remember, too, that you’ll need more than one session.
Therapists can help you alter how you and your partner relate to one another, and create healthier patterns for dealing with conflict and communication. Aaron Anderson is a therapist and Director of The Marriage and Family Clinic in Denver, CO. He is a writer, speaker and relationship expert. Checkout his blog RelationshipRx.net for expert information on how to improve your relationship. Seeing a marriage counselor can be tough. It’s also one of the best things you can do for your marriage. But be sure to make the most out of it by not falling into these simple traps.
Sorry, as marriage counselors we’re not supposed to take sides and we can’t keep important secrets from your partner. If you don’t want your partner to know about it, don’t tell your marriage counselor about it. But then, why would you not want your partner to know about it? Maybe that’s something you should talk to your marriage counselor about.
Some of the more common things I hear are actually things that couples shouldn’t say in therapy. I know, I know. We’re supposed to listen and reflect but frankly there are some things that just aren’t doing you any good and your time would be better spent talking about other things. Here are a few things that you should not tell your marriage counselor.I’ve been a marriage counselor for a while now and I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t think I hear anymore surprises. Wait — that’s not true. I still hear some now and again, but for the most part I’m getting to the point where I’ve heard most of it. Meaningless threats don’t get you anywhere in therapy (or in your marriage for that matter). In fact, they become a topic for therapy. How do we know this one is meaningless? Because if you really wanted a divorce you wouldn’t be in our office; you’d be in a lawyer’s office. But we can help you work through this frustration with your partner and help you learn distress tolerance so you can have more productive conversations. You’re supposed to be the one to make what you want out of your relationship. When we give you some input or some directives of things to try, it’s only for your own benefit. So if you’re aversive to our advice or just downright combatant about it, it tells us something — and you’ll probably end up spending some time in therapy talking about what makes you so aversive to the suggestion.I’m not trying to say we’re right all the time, but there’s no use in trying to argue with us about it because we’re not bothered one way or the other. Like I said before, it’s your relationship. If our advice doesn’t work for you then it doesn’t work. Use some of the skills you’re learning in therapy to give us feedback and we can all move on to some stuff that does work.
At Real Life Counseling, there are Marriage and Family Therapists who have special training facilitating couples therapy focused on promoting change, forgiveness, reconciliation and positive communication. We would be glad to speak with you and your partner today to help you get on the road to a more peaceful and satisfying relationship.
It is easy in our couple relationships to get stuck in ruts – patterns of conflict and miscommunication that can be damaging to the relationship and hurtful for all those involved. In couples therapy, the therapist is a caring third party who can help give perspective and help find new strategies to solve the same old problems.
A great couples therapist or marriage counselor can help you work through any thorny relationship issues and build a relationship you truly love. But if you haven’t seen a therapist before, investing in professional couples counseling can be intimidating.
Therapists who are licensed will charge more, while others who are still working towards gaining their license under the supervision of a licensed therapist often cost less. It can be a lot cheaper to see a therapist who is still building up hours towards licensure, but they will have less experience.Given that most professional couples counselors offer 90-minute sessions for couples, that means you’ll pay between $150 and $300 for each one-and-a-half hour couples counseling session.
Should we do couples therapy or break up?
Happy couples can (and should!) go to therapy. You don’t need to wait until you’re about to break up. It’s certainly scary to ask your partner to go to therapy with you when things are basically status quo, since we tend to think of couples therapy as a last-ditch effort.
Building a loving and caring partnership isn’t easy. It takes more work than just buying your partner a bouquet of flowers, or taking them out on a nice date.If the question is between seeing a couples therapist and heading for a messy and expensive divorce, you should always choose couples counseling. The average cost of a divorce here in Colorado is $14,500. That’s not even including extra legal fees for splitting assets like your house, your cars, your retirement savings, and more. And it doesn’t include the toll on your emotional and mental health that a divorce can take on your kids and family.If you have specific questions about whether your couples counselor accepts your health insurance, it’s best to reach out directly to your chosen therapist. You can also call your insurer to find out what they will and won’t cover.There’s no way around it: couples counseling can be a pretty big investment for a lot of couples. How do you know if couples counseling is worth the investment?
Throughout our sessions, I’ve helped them understand how they can still have a healthy co-parenting relationship for their kids, while also keeping good boundaries around their personal lives with each other. They were going down a path with a lot of conflict, but now they’re doing a really good job of working together amicably.
Remember, too, that you’ll need more than one session. In my couples counseling practice, I usually recommend couples come in for at least 3 months of consistent couples therapy, or 12 weeks. That gives us enough time so that we have ample opportunities to uncover your relationship struggles and work towards finding a solution.
A lot of people breaking up with someone are left feeling like they don’t understand what happened when a relationship ends. Going through a structured process with a therapist can help you get a sense of closure, and figure out “if this isn’t going to work, here’s why.”
Couples counseling doesn’t mean relationship triage. A lot of couples decide not to go to couples counseling because they’re not sure their relationship can be saved. But even though your relationship struggles might feel insurmountable, you may not realize that most relationship problems are much easier to resolve than you might realize—as long as you have the right tools.
By working through some of those issues around your previous relationships, you can take that into your next relationship and you have more peace with the ending of the relationship.
For the couple I mentioned earlier that had decided to split up, they could have ended up in a messy divorce, paying divorce lawyer fees and negotiating custody agreements. But instead, they’re working together to build a successful relationship with each other and with their kids.The higher education level a therapist has achieved, and the more years of experience they have under their belt, the more a couples counselor or marriage therapist will generally charge. The minimum educational requirement in most states is a Master’s degree in psychology, but many therapists have a PhD or MD like a psychiatrist.
Should you break up or go to couples therapy?
Happy couples can (and should!) go to therapy. You don’t need to wait until you’re about to break up. It’s certainly scary to ask your partner to go to therapy with you when things are basically status quo, since we tend to think of couples therapy as a last-ditch effort.
Of course, the cost of couples counseling varies widely depending on location, experience level, the type of counselor, and other factors. Let’s take a look.Insurance companies generally only cover couples counseling when it’s deemed as a medical necessity. Unless one spouse is suffering from a diagnosable mental disorder, like generalized anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder, most insurance plans won’t contribute towards your couples counseling.
After talking to dozens of couples from all walks of life, one common problem every couple runs into is knowing whether couples counseling is worth the investment. A lot of clients I work with simply don’t understand how much couples counseling costs, and what they’ll get out of it.
Looking only at the raw numbers, the chances are high. According to data from the American Psychological Association, couples counseling as it’s practiced now is roughly 75% effective. For couples with kids in particular, couples counseling is priceless. That might lead you to believe that couples counseling is worth it.A great couples therapist can mean the difference between your relationship surviving and thriving. Avoiding the decision to see a couples counselor might mean missing out on the opportunity to work through problems that you think can’t be fixed. Couples counselors can help you identify growth areas and ways of increasing your connection and intimacy with your partner.
For example, one couple I’m working with figured out that they don’t want the same things from life. They had different life goals that didn’t mesh with each other, and that by trying to compromise on those goals they were just making each other miserable.
Licensing requirements vary by state, with some states (Colorado included) allowing unlicensed practitioners to practice under supervision of a licensed professional. It’s worth asking your therapist about their licensure before scheduling your first session.
I’ll be honest—it’s not the easiest question to answer. Couples counseling costs vary wildly across the country. Even within the same city, you’ll find different therapists often charge very different amounts.
Many couples counselors also offer sliding scale rates to eligible clients, where the per-session rate is determined by your household income or the size of your family. This can help some couples fit counseling into their budget without breaking the bank. It’s worth asking your therapist if they offer sliding scale fees.But when it comes to couples counseling, timing is everything. I haven’t met a couple yet that doesn’t have some area where they can grow and improve. It can be the difference between your relationship just hanging in there, and a relationship you truly love.
A great couples therapist can help you learn whether you should stay together or split up. And, if you choose the latter, they can also help you work through the separation process.
But the truth is, couples counseling is about more than just the money, or the chances of saving your relationship. It’s about the value a loving and caring relationship with your husband, wife, spouse, or partner brings into your life.Sarah Tie, LPC, PMH-C is the owner of Winding Path Counseling, a private counseling practice specializing in relationship counseling in Denver, CO for new parents and couples. When she’s not seeing clients, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.So how do you know if couples counseling is worth the investment? To help answer some of your questions, I want to give you an idea of how much couples counseling costs in different parts of the US, how many sessions you might need with a couples therapist, and—most importantly—whether investing in couples counseling is worth it for you.
Even if you aren’t married and facing the legal and financial challenges that come with a divorce, couples counseling gives you the potential to strengthen your relationship in ways you didn’t know were possible.
Even if insurance coverage is available, there are some significant downsides to paying for therapy through insurance. Most insurance companies require therapists to provide a diagnosis, which ends up on your permanent health record. Insurance companies also severely limit which therapists and session types are covered, so you may not have access to your preferred therapist.Here in Denver, marriage counseling costs between $150 and $300 for a 90-minute session. In bigger cities like New York or San Francisco, couples counseling sessions can cost between 50 and 100% more than here. In smaller cities with fewer counselors, costs might be a bit lower.
My advice is to invest wisely in your relationship. Yes, there might not be any guarantees—but couples counseling is worth the cost, whether you’re trying to save a relationship on the rocks or you’re wanting to grow into a relationship you truly love.If you’re looking for an expert couples counselor in Denver, you can reach out to me directly to set up your free consultation – the link to my website is below. I look forward to hearing from you! If you can’t see a way through the struggle, but you aren’t quite ready to throw in the towel just yet, it might be the perfect time to seek professional help from an expert couples counselor to get things back on track. The best way to find out how much couples counselors charge in your city is to Google couples counselors in your area. For example search for “couples counselor new york” or “marriage counselors near me” and check out the pricing pages for a few examples.
As you’re scanning through credentials, cross basically anyone who does not have an “MFT” off the list of contenders. That will be most of them. There are 5,000 licensed psychologists in Colorado, I don’t know how many tens of thousands of LPCs and LCSWs but — last I checked — fewer than 500 MFTs. You will narrow your marriage counselor choices down very quickly, and be left with a solid shortlist of prospective, qualified marriage counselors.
If you have read through all of this information because you have someone in your life you are worried about, and would like to support them in getting involved in marriage counseling, couples therapy, relationship coaching, or premarital counseling, I would encourage you to share this article with them. That way, they can learn about their options, make informed decisions, and get help for their relationship that will be genuinely meaningful and valuable.Our experts are incredibly generous and have put together an entire library of free resources and actionable advice to support you on your quest for Love, Happiness, and Success. View our blog + podcast.
Until fairly recently, you yourself could have literally gone to DORA’s website, completed an online application, taken the online jurisprudence exam, paid a fee, and been credentialed as a “registered psychotherapist” without having to do one single other thing. You can do it all in the space of a couple of hours, in your pajamas.
A marriage and family therapist, on the other hand, would not fall into that type of one-sided focus. LMFTs look at the system of a relationship, meaning how partners are impacting each other, and relating to each other, and the reactions that those ways of relating create. Our focus is not either individual, but rather on the relationship itself. It’s an entirely different way of thinking that is unique to MFTs.
An uninformed consumer might assume, “Oh, well they have a credential, so they’re legitimately qualified.” They might be qualified for something, but I want you to know for sure if the therapist you’re considering is a legitimately qualified marriage counselor or couples therapist.
In contrast, if they mention having learned evidence-based approaches to couples and family therapy such as The Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, the PACT approach to couples counseling, are Prepare-Enrich Certified Premarital Counselors, have had training in parenting coaching, discernment counseling, and/or other couples or relationship-specific approaches — you can be fairly confident couples counseling is their professional specialty.
I personally, routinely meet couples who have tried “marriage counseling” with a therapist who had no specialized training or experience in Couples and Family Therapy, and it almost cost them their relationship.For example, if you are reading about a professional’s qualifications and they have MFT training but then have done a bunch of post-graduate training around, say, eating disorders or substance use disorders, or the treatment of trauma, you can be fairly confident those presenting issues are their actual specialty.
