What is couples & marriage counseling?
Couples therapy and marriage counseling, also known as relationship counseling, helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy and marriage counseling include:
- Jealousy
- Trust issues
- Infidelity
- Opposing values
- Different visions for the future
- Disagreements in parenting
- Lack of trust
- Financial distress
- Sex issues
What type of therapy is used in couples therapy?
The types of therapy used in couples and marriage counseling include:
- The Gottman Method
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-focused therapy (EFT)
- Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)
- Strength-based therapy
What kind of therapist is best for couples?
At Thriveworks, Couples/marriage therapy is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples.
What is the Gottman Method of couples therapy?
The Gottman Method of couples therapy is a research-supported approach designed to enhance relationships by bolstering the bond between partners, resolving conflicts, and fostering shared meaning in their relationship through comprehensive assessments and tailored interventions that improve communication, trust, and the overall health of the partnership.
How to tell if I need couples therapy?
If you’re facing persistent relationship problems, communication breakdowns, or unresolved conflicts that are impacting your emotional well-being and happiness, Couples/marriage therapy may be beneficial for you.
Should every couple go to couples therapy?
While marriage and couple’s counseling is typically recommended for couples who are experiencing persistent or severe relationship issues, any relationship can benefit from attending these sessions.
Is couples & marriage counseling conducted in person or online?
Marriage and couples counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.
How long does couples & marriage counseling last?
On average, couples attend marriage and couples counseling for 12 weeks. However, couples & marriage counseling may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.
How much does couples & marriage counseling cost?
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
Need more help deciding?
The licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) and other qualified couples counselors at Thriveworks in Montgomery, AL aim to do a lot more than resolve conflict and address thorny relationship issues. They also aim to help significant others love each other “better”. This can be done through improving communication skills, building trust and attachment, helping partners see issues from each others’ perspectives, and reinforcing existing strengths in the relationship.
If you think you could benefit from relationship counseling, reach out to Thriveworks Montgomery today for help. We’ll get you scheduled right away.
How Can Relationship Counseling Help?
The vast majority of couples who see a professional counselor report increased relationship satisfaction after therapy (which is usually completed in 12 sessions or fewer). So yes, relationship counseling can absolutely be transformative. And the lessons learned in therapy can endure for a lifetime, sometimes even outliving the relationship. At Thriveworks in Montgomery, AL, licensed therapists aim first to understand a couple’s objectives for therapy before they begin treatment. These objectives might include the following:
- To reduce daily conflicts and tension in the household
- To stop having the same argument
- To establish healthy boundaries
- To manage anger
- To improve rapport
- To express sexuality more openly
- To confront alcohol abuse or addiction
- To heal bonds after infidelity
- To manage life transitions
- To cope with empty nest syndrome or midlife crises
- To support each other through infertility
- To identify individual mental health conditions that are affecting the relationship
- To process trauma together
- To grieve and cope with loss together
Once the Thriveworks therapist knows what the couple is seeking to accomplish, they can work on the issue together, whether it’s conflict resolution, chronic miscommunication, sexual issues, or something else. Couples therapy is usually short-term and targeted at solving problems. Occasionally one partner will choose to continue with individual therapy after exploring personal issues in marriage counseling.
How Does Couples Counseling Work?
Couples counseling works through a variety of evidence-based approaches. At Thriveworks in Montgomery, AL, different therapists might employ different strategies and methods for reconnecting couples. These methods might include one or a blend of the following:
- Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)
- Person-centered therapy
- Strength-based therapy
- Solution-focused therapy
- Gottman method (pioneered by John Gottman)
- Substance abuse or addiction counseling
- Structural family therapy
- Depression counseling
- Anxiety therapy
- Mindfulness
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Narrative therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Collaborative couples therapies
Schedule Marriage Counseling at Thriveworks in Montgomery, AL
Thriveworks marriage counselors offer fast appointment times, often as early as the week of reaching out. Plus, we offer evening and weekend sessions, provide same-week appointments, and accept most major insurances.
Call today and get matched to the counselor who is right for you and your partner. We look forward to helping you both!
