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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a couples/marriage can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 43 therapists in Massachusetts available for an online or in-person session.
Kayla Pena

Hear from Kayla Pena, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

View Kayla Pena's profile

What is your go-to approach for couples/marriage counseling?

I have limited experience with couples work, but I have worked with couples here at Thriveworks and I have seven years of experience in a previous job engaging in family therapy. My go-to approaches focus on communication-building skills/activities and positive psychology techniques. I found it helpful because it was a positive way to rebuild communication and strengthen relationships.

What tools do you teach in couples/marriage counseling?

I teach “fair fighting” rules, which consist of psychoeducation on how best to engage in conflict resolution in a relationship. The Fair Fighting Rules handout I provide describes the “rules of engagement” when it comes to disagreements. Instead of telling people they can't argue, fair fighting rules tell them how to do it safely and productively while exploring topics such as boundaries, warning signs, and techniques for handling disagreements.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling?

I know a client is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when they are reporting progress in sessions, as well as when I observe changes in their communication styles when bringing in difficult topics during sessions.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement couples/marriage counseling?

Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling by completing/reviewing the five love languages activity I provide, engaging in fair fighting rules, and having monthly check-ins about how they feel their relationship goals are/or are not progressing.

What should someone do to prepare for starting couples/marriage counseling?

To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, you can create a list, either separately or together (preferred), about important topics that would be helpful to process in future sessions.

Starting Couples/marriage therapy

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.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Boston therapists and counselors accept 30 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

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Self-pay costs at Boston
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I have two providers - one for Rx and one for counseling. Both are good. You to watch for emails and stage engaged and the help is there! Thank you, Anne
Read more I have two providers - one for Rx and one for counseling. Both are good. You to watch for emails and stage engaged and the help is there! Thank you, Anne
Anne Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I saw counseling and therapy from your remote staff both have been very beneficial to me. Thank you very much.
Read more I saw counseling and therapy from your remote staff both have been very beneficial to me. Thank you very much.
Anne Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Thriveworks is full of amazing employees. Even the person that answered my first call was incredible, compassionate and sought out the best possible options for my situation. I've been going weekly 3 months and will likely continue for years!
Read more Thriveworks is full of amazing employees. Even the person that answered my first call was incredible, compassionate and sought out the best possible options for my situation. I've been going weekly 3 months and will likely continue for years!
Sonja Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Boston is located on Water St. We share a building with The Boston Barbor Exchange, Vaanga Boston, PanIQ Escape Room Boston, and other businesses. We’re just a few blocks away from the waterfront.

Phone number

(617) 882-7447

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • Portuguese
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Japanese
  • Farsi
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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