Many couples seek counseling to heal their families after trauma, to make positive changes in how they parent their children, and to deal with other challenges present in the relationship. While couples therapy, including couples therapy online, can be highly beneficial to a couple’s connection with one another, some people may be uncomfortable seeking couples counseling for financial reasons. Although financial strain can be a barrier to receiving care, there are affordable options for individuals and couples who want to meet with qualified mental health care professionals. Whether in person or online therapy, therapists can help couples solve issues that they might be facing in their relationships.
How much does couples counseling cost? Couples counseling cost and marriage counseling costs can vary depending on how often you’d like to meet with a marriage counselor or couples counselor, whether you need someone specialized in a certain area, etc. Fees for each type of service can vary based on whether your health insurance will cover couples counseling and what any copays might be. Couples counseling cost and marriage counseling costs can also change depending on whether the provider accepts your insurance, or you are paying entirely out of pocket. Marriage counseling cost can also change if you’re getting care via a subscription service, in person, or in another format that has a different payment structure. If you don't have the budget, you may opt for a free marriage counseling online.
That being said, according to recent studies, the average counseling cost and marriage counseling cost for couples therapy in general per session in the United States is $100-$200. Still, there can be a wide range in the hourly fees charged for couples counseling. A marriage therapist might charge as little as $50 an hour, while others may charge as much as $250 or more for couples and marriage counseling costs.
While the majority of relationship counselling sessions and marriage counseling sessions last one hour, some may be longer or shorter, with the costs adjusted by the hour. When you have your initial conversation with a potential marriage counselor or couples counselor, make sure you discuss whether the marriage counseling cost is per session or per hour, so that you know what to expect in terms of marriage counseling cost when you start couples therapy with them.
Some providers may offer a discount if you pay for a series of couples therapy sessions in advance. The number of sessions needed to get the discount for marriage counseling techniques may differ from provider to provider, as will the amount of the discount.
In addition, many mental health professionals provide a free initial consultation where you can decide whether you want to work together. Be sure to ask your potential marriage counselor or couples counselor whether they provide a free consultation for your first meeting. This can save you more money if you can't find free relationship counseling online.
If the expense of seeing a marriage counselor or couples counselor in person seems prohibitive, consider looking into alternatives such as a couples therapist with sliding scale rates that allow you to pay based on your income or online couples counseling that can make meetings more affordable. Seeing improvements in your relationships and mental health can make the expense of marriage counseling worth your while to work toward a healthy relationship.
Insurance And The Cost Of Therapy
Not every marriage therapist will accept insurance, and those that do accept insurance may only accept certain policies from specific providers. Some insurance policies do not cover mental health services or couples counseling at all. Therefore, it is necessary to do your research regarding your insurance options prior to investing in couples therapy.
Before you schedule a session with your therapist, you’ll want to find out what the couples therapist charges, whether they take your insurance, what your insurance will cover, and what copays there might be. Make sure the provider takes your specific insurance plan since these can vary even within the same insurance company; your provider may take one type of insurance from that company but not another.
It’s also important to find out whether the couples therapist will bill your insurance company directly or whether you’ll be responsible for paying the couples therapist up front and then submitting the paperwork to your insurer and getting reimbursed. If the provider doesn’t take your insurance, they may offer other options to help make couples therapy more affordable, such as spreading out the payments over an extended time to make it easier to afford.
Public Health Clinics
In the United States, public options may be more affordable than exclusive-practice couples therapy. Depending on your financial situation, you may qualify for low-cost or even free mental health services through various government agencies.
Your local county government may have these kinds of resources, or you can consult federalresources such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website to find an affordable clinic near you. You can call the relevant agency to find out what their policies are, what you can expect to pay, and how to connect with a licensed professional therapist whose services are covered by that agency.
Public health clinics oftenoperate with a higher caseload than exclusive practices, although in either place you can find a licensed professional with experience in treating patients with issues similar to your own. Due to this higher caseload, you may find it difficult to make an appointment to get immediate treatment for mental health services with a public agency.
How To Choose A Mental Health Professional
Whether you choose to see a therapist at a public health clinic, have in-person appointments with someone in practice, or opt for online couples counseling through a website such as BetterHelp, it’s important to consider that all marriage and family therapists are not the same. Therapists have specialized skills for helping people in a wide variety of situations, such as for family therapy, couples therapy, or individual therapy.
When choosing someone to work with, it’s essential to ask about their experience and training and to look for someone whose skills and experience match your needs. Your feelings about the person you will be working with are also an important part of making the experience successful, so it can be worth taking the time to find someone you are comfortable with.
With couples counseling, both partners need to feel comfortable and safe with the mental health professional they see. If something doesn’t feel right with one therapist, you might want to try someone else. Asking for a free consultation session can be an effective way to find out if the person is the right match for you and your partner.
What To Expect From Couples Counseling
At the start of your work with your therapist, you will be asked about the nature of the relationship problems you are experiencing in the relationship, such as intimacy issues, conflicts about child rearing, communication problems, or infidelity. You, your partner, and the therapist will usually then work out goals to work toward. You don’t need to know what these goals are before you start therapy; this is something you’ll often work out in your therapy sessions together.
In some circumstances, one or both partners might benefit from having individual sessions in addition to meeting with the therapist together with their partner. This can allow them to work on their own personal issues that are affecting the relationship and work towards developing a more healthy relationship.
Your therapist can use a variety of couple counseling techniques and tools to help you and your partner come to terms with your issues and to begin to work things out between you. One type of therapy in common use today is called Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), which is a kind of therapy intended to help adults improve their relationships. According to the American Psychological Association, EFT has been shown to be75% effective in improving couple relationships.
In cases where the relationship is abusive, substance use is involved, or the couple has already decided to separate, EFT is not recommended. Your therapist may use other techniques to help you weather the relationship problems you are facing.
If you are currently in danger because of an abusive relationship, help is available at theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). For immediate help with substance abuse issues, you can call theSAMHSA National Helplineat 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Online Couples Counseling With BetterHelp
"I can't find couples counseling near me, what can I do?" If you're having a hard time looking for face-to-face counselors you might want to try online couples counseling.BetterHelpis an online therapy platform providing a wide range of mental health professionals with an affordable marriage counseling cost. Many of these professionals specialize in couples counseling. BetterHelp servicescost between $60 and $90 per week, billed monthly, which can be less than what some in-person mental health professionals charge for their marriage counseling cost. In addition to online couples counseling sessions, at BetterHelp you can also message your therapist for additional support or to ask questions.
BetterHelp wants couples counseling to be affordable and convenient, whether for individual therapy or for couples counseling. Your relationship matters to the marriage counselor and couples counselor providers at BetterHelp, and they want to help you succeed. Online therapy with your couples counselor or marriage counselor also has certain benefits that you won’t find with traditional in-person meetings, such as the ability to speak with your therapist in the comfort of your own home, rather than having to travel to the therapist’s office.
The Efficacy Of Online Couples Counseling
Online couples counseling services can be a valid, affordable, and convenient alternative to traditional in-person couples counseling sessions and marriage counseling sessions. Studies have shown that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions with a couples counselor. Researchers have found that web-based interventions can successfully manage several different kinds of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
Takeaway
Couples counseling can be a powerful tool for couples who want to make improvements to their relationship. Working with a therapist, you and your partner can learn how to communicate more effectively, understand each other on a deeper level, and learn coping mechanisms to use during conflict. For couples with busy schedules who are finding it difficult to make it to an in-person couples counseling session, online couples counseling sessions can be a viable alternative. So, if you're someone who has a hard time looking for "premarital counseling near me" or "couples counseling near me" doing it online might be the solution for you.
FAQs
How Much Does Couples Counseling Cost? | BetterHelp Therapy? ›
Many therapists elect to complete additional training in a particular method of couples' therapy (such as EFT or The Gottman Method). Therefore, marriage therapists are highly educated and highly skilled, and their expertise is not, and should not be, inexpensive. Insurance does not cover couples therapy.
Why is couples therapy so expensive? ›Many therapists elect to complete additional training in a particular method of couples' therapy (such as EFT or The Gottman Method). Therefore, marriage therapists are highly educated and highly skilled, and their expertise is not, and should not be, inexpensive. Insurance does not cover couples therapy.
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.
What is the failure rate of couples therapy? ›Couples Counseling Statistics
In the 1980s, couples counseling had a 50 percent success rate. Currently, couples counseling has a success rate of roughly 70 percent. About 80 percent of therapists in private practice offer couples therapy. Nearly 50 percent of married couples have gone to marriage counseling.
Depending on the issues presented and severity of concerns, I may recommend weekly or bi-weekly sessions of 1 hour and 45 minutes. Most couples find that longer sessions allow for deeper work and while it is a greater time and financial commitment up front, it saves you both in the long run.
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.
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.
What type of couples therapy is most effective? ›No couples therapy has as much research support as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Ninety percent (90%) of couples who go through EFT significantly improve their relationship and 70-75% of couples no longer fit criteria for relationship distress following treatment (according to a metanalysis).
What type of therapy is most commonly used in couples counseling? ›Emotion focused therapy (EFT) is an effective couples counseling technique. EFT can help identify destructive patterns in a relationship that begin to interfere with attachments, ultimately preventing two people from bonding.
What type of therapist is best for marriage counseling? ›Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Licensed clinical social workers have a social focus and utilize a social improvement perspective, with some specializing in marriage counseling or family therapy. Some may hold couple or group family sessions, but the majority of their counseling strategies are for individuals.
How long do most couples do therapy? ›
Research tells us that 12-20 sessions is the average length of treatment for couples receiving Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). However, this can vary widely.
What not to say in marriage counseling? ›- "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"
Age of Couples in Therapy
Couples aged 25-30 years made up the largest portion of those in therapy (31%), followed by those aged 30-35 years (21%).
When is it too late to save a relationship? The short answer: When you've let too much resentment accumulate between you. You probably no longer see the good in your partner as outweighing the bad.
Can couples therapy save a relationship? ›Couples therapy can tackle the full range of relationship issues, from minor disagreements to major problems in communication. It's never too late to seek help from a qualified therapist. Even if you feel your relationship is too broken for repair, you'd be surprised how much therapy can help.
What happens at couples Counselling? ›During couples counselling, you and your partner will meet with a specialist to talk through and explore the problems you're both facing. The therapist will help you both to open up, highlighting the strengths in your relationship alongside what might be causing you distress.
Will my therapist tell me to leave my husband? ›Should a Therapist Advise Divorce? As a general rule, it is considered unethical for mental health professionals to give advice at all. Our job is to help you learn to make those decisions yourself, not to tell you how to make them.
Does couples therapy mean the end of a relationship? ›For most people, couples therapy is a way to strengthen a relationship, not end it.
What is a common reason that couples therapy fails? ›Many couples therapies fail because the partners continue to experience each other as adversaries. Consequently, they remain locked in bitter struggles for dominance and persistently discredit each other's point of view and emotional reactions.
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.
Should boyfriend and girlfriend go to couples therapy? ›
Couples therapy is appropriate for any two adults who are having excessive conflict in their relationship. You can enter into therapy regardless of your living arrangements, or how long you have been together, or your sexual orientation. In fact, in many situations the “couple” is a parent and child, or siblings.
Should my boyfriend and I have the same therapist? ›If you are hoping that a counselor will help to improve communication in your relationship, seeing the same counselor is the best way to help the two of you work through problem areas in your relationship.
What is the Gottman method? ›The Gottman Method aims "to disarm conflicting verbal communication; increase intimacy, respect, and affection; remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy, and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship."1.
What is the meaning of toxic relationship? ›Your relationship may be toxic if it is characterized by behaviors that make you feel unhappy, including disrespect, dishonesty, controlling behaviors, or a lack of support.
Who are therapists most likely to marry? ›Psychologists. Female psychologists are most likely to marry male or female psychologists. Male psychologists are most likely to marry female psychologists or male postsecondary teachers.
Why you should marry a therapist? ›They genuinely care about people
Choosing to be a therapist means that they likely care a lot about the mental and psychological well-being of others. They are probably selfless and learn to put others' needs above their own. If you are in a relationship with a therapist, you may get the best care.
There are three common theories counselors use to address couple's issues: psychoanalytic, which focuses on childhood issues and the unconscious; strategic-structural, which targets present problems and a change in relationship structure; and social-cognitive, which examines what we learned and how to address it ...
How often is too often for therapy? ›The general rule of thumb for the frequency of therapy sessions is once per week, especially in the beginning. Therapy requires a concentrated effort on a consistent basis to realize the fullest benefits from the therapeutic relationship - in other words, it takes work to get good results.
How many times should you meet with a therapist? ›Therapy has been found to be most productive when incorporated into a client's lifestyle for approximately 12-16 sessions, most typically delivered in once weekly sessions for 45 minutes each. For most folks that turns out to be about 3-4 months of once weekly sessions.
Does marriage counseling work with a narcissist? ›Couples therapy helps narcissism much better than individual therapy — because the partner is involved in the effort. When the therapist works with the two of you, there is a much better chance of success — because there is so much more leverage.
Do marriage counselors ever advise to break up? ›
The Takeaway. A therapist's job is not to tell you to stay in or leave a relationship. It is the couple's responsibility to decide if they are happy being in the relationship and these decisions belong solely to them.
Can a marriage survive without counseling? ›Your relationship can survive without counseling if each of you is willing to put in the effort. Trying another exercise instead of counseling can improve your relationship and help you overcome the problems.
How many marriages end in divorce? ›Almost 50 percent of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce or separation. 7.
At what age do you meet your life partner? ›The average age people meet their lifelong partner is 27 years old, according to a new survey from Match.com. The survey, which mostly surveyed British couples, found that most women find The One at age 25, whereas men are slightly older at 28 years old, The Independent reported.
What age do most people meet their life partner? ›And, according to the findings, the average age you'll find your partner varies from gender to gender. That's right - the research found that the average woman finds their life partner at the age of 25, while for men, they're more likely to find their soulmate at 28.
What years are the hardest in a relationship? ›The first year of the relationship is the hardest stage, and even when you're living together, you still discover new things about each other every day. How to Survive: The key to getting past the discovery stage is also discovery. The discovery of your partner's imperfections and your imperfections as well.
How do you restart a dying relationship? ›- Plan a weekly 'couples meeting' ...
- Learn to compromise. ...
- Spend time with friends outside of your relationship. ...
- Engage in affectionate physical contact. ...
- Don't be hooked on romance.
- There's no emotional connection. ...
- Communication breakdown. ...
- Aggressive or confrontational communication. ...
- There's no appeal to physical intimacy. ...
- You don't trust them. ...
- Fantasising about others. ...
- You're not supporting each other and have different goals. ...
- You can't imagine a future together.
When there are impacts of a breakup, couples therapy can help. It gives the couple a chance to work through their issues and emotions in a therapeutic setting. It allows them to explore how they can go forward as individuals and how they can heal together if there is the potential for reconciliation.
Can therapy help you fall in love again? ›Intimacy and feeling in love go hand-in-hand with openness and vulnerability. A relationship therapist will help you tear down that wall so you can create the open space to fall back in love.
Can couples therapy save a relationship after cheating? ›
No therapist can fix anything in one visit, but it's possible for marriage counseling to help after infidelity. It will take some time to understand the broader scope of the relationship problems, but healing is possible.
What are the disadvantages of couples Counselling? ›- 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. ...
- It may end the relationship.
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.
Why does therapy have to be so expensive? ›Increased Demand. 1-in-5 U.S. adults experienced mental health problems in 2020. The number of people experiencing mental health issues continues to rise every year. Because so many people need mental health care, resources have been depleted and costs have increased.
How much is couples therapy in California? ›90 minutes Individual or Couples Therapy sessions are $150. Premarital Counseling sessions are 50 minutes and $100.
Is couples therapy real life? ›A compelling documentary deep dive into the world of relationship counseling, COUPLES THERAPY chronicles four real-life couples from varying backgrounds as they expose their intimacy issues to the compassion and clarity of therapist, Dr. Orna Guralnik.
Is $300 too much for therapy? ›Therapy is indeed very costly. The average price ranges from $80 to $300. This cost depends on the provider's level of education, licensure status, specialized certifications and level of expertise.
What is a reasonable amount to spend on therapy? ›Most individuals spend between $60 to $120 on average for an hour-long session. Given this range, most therapists charge an average rate of $90 per hour.
How many people want therapy but can't afford it? ›4 out of 10 Americans Can't Access Mental Health Care When They Need it – Community-Based Support is an Immediate Solution. Mental health advocates are sounding the alarm on the staggering number of Americans — approximately 4 out of 10 — who report needing mental health care, but not being able to access it.
How much is couples therapy in us? ›While the cost of marriage counseling varies widely, in the United States, the average cost is about $100 per session. However, rates may range anywhere between $75-$250/hour.
Can a husband and wife see the same psychiatrist? ›
Legally, Therapists Can See Two People Who Know Each Other
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.
One-hour documentary special follows expert couples therapist Dr. Orna Guralnik as she and her patients wrestle with the 'new normal' of Covid-19 and the enforcement of stay-at-home orders.
Is love for a therapist real? ›Developing romantic feelings for your therapist is common, and it's called transference. Here's why it happens and how to handle it. Have you ever thought to yourself “I love my therapist”? If so, try not to feel ashamed, embarrassed, or awkward about it.
Is couples therapy unscripted? ›Couples Therapy, though, has real, human conflict, and also plenty of the artifice that is required to produce an unscripted show. The couples were cast, and know they're being filmed. The office is a set, constructed by a crew that includes a production designer, an art director, and a set decorator.