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51,144 people sought couples/marriage therapy help in Massachusetts in the last year

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

Meet with a couples/marriage therapist as soon as this week

3  therapists available in Boston

I have been providing therapy for individuals and couples since 2006....

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As a woman of color, I understand the importance of intersectionality and cultural competence and their impact on mental health....

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As a woman of Color who has experienced several cultures, religions, and walks of life, I have the open-mindedness to meet people ...

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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 in Boston

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 360+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Boston accept 28 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Aetna Medicare Advantage

  • 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

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

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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
★★★★★
Really easy to schedule sessions and my provider is incredibly kind and helpful and has helped me through a lot of really difficult times
Joseph Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Ashley was so helpful and understanding when I needed a same day apt. She placed me with a therapist with an opening that night and she was amazing. I saw Josephine and she truly turned my day around. I'm looking forward to meeting with her again and working on myself!
Read more Ashley was so helpful and understanding when I needed a same day apt. She placed me with a therapist with an opening that night and she was amazing. I saw Josephine and she truly turned my day around. I'm looking forward to meeting with her again and working on myself!
Madison Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Provider Aziz is respectful of my space, not afraid to give bad news. . Bad news comes with several solutions.. She is watching me unravel.. as I become less rigid and it does not look pretty.. Aziza celebrates my wins. Just what I need.. She is fascinated at all I do but has cautioned me to make time for sleep and care of my health. . She laughs at my corny jokes. . I trust her.. Unsure of trusting myself.. Thank you Aziza.
Read more Provider Aziz is respectful of my space, not afraid to give bad news. . Bad news comes with several solutions.. She is watching me unravel.. as I become less rigid and it does not look pretty.. Aziza celebrates my wins. Just what I need.. She is fascinated at all I do but has cautioned me to make time for sleep and care of my health. . She laughs at my corny jokes. . I trust her.. Unsure of trusting myself.. Thank you Aziza.
Elaine Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Naomi is the BEST. She listens thoughtful attentive
Susan Jul 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
my particular provider is intelligent, kind, patient, and an amazing person. additionally i like that you can book as many sessions as you want per month
Katherine Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I love having Melanie as my therapist! She validates how I am feeling about different situations, particularly that the experiences or feelings that I have are normal reactions or responses. She really has helped me process friendship interactions, grief, anxiety and more. I'm thankful I was paired with her!
Read more I love having Melanie as my therapist! She validates how I am feeling about different situations, particularly that the experiences or feelings that I have are normal reactions or responses. She really has helped me process friendship interactions, grief, anxiety and more. I'm thankful I was paired with her!
Shauna Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
The website is extremely to use and my scheduling is very flexible!
David Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Carol has been a lifeline for me. She is the most empathetic and informative therapist I have had. She's helped me seek treatment for my eating disorder and helped me navigate my post partum period. There aren't enough words I could use to recommend her.
Read more Carol has been a lifeline for me. She is the most empathetic and informative therapist I have had. She's helped me seek treatment for my eating disorder and helped me navigate my post partum period. There aren't enough words I could use to recommend her.
Suzanne Jun 2025
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

  • English
  • Japanese
  • Farsi
Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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

Shown in ET

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