Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

1,979 people sought couples therapy help at Chicago in the last year

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 27 therapists in Illinois available for an online or in-person session.

Starting Couples therapy

What is couples therapy?

Thriveworks Couples therapy helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. It is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy include:

  • Jealousy
  • Trust issues
  • Infidelity
  • Opposing values
  • Different visions for the future
  • Disagreements in parenting
  • Lack of trust
  • Financial distress
  • Sex issues

How does couples therapy work?

Couples therapy works by helping couples identify and better navigate their unique challenges. Following an initial assessment of the couple in terms of strengths and needs, the therapist would then discuss their therapeutic goals and any possible approaches or ways of working together as therapist and couple.
Couples attend sessions together, whether they meet in person or by video. In addition to regular couples therapy sessions, each partner may also be asked to attend a few individual sessions to supplement their progress. This will allow their counselor to get to know each individual better, assess each of their personal needs, and develop the very best treatment plan moving forward.

Is couples therapy conducted in person or online?

Couples therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.

How long does couples therapy last?

On average, couples attend couples therapy for 12 weeks. However, couples therapy may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.

Need more help deciding?

Couples Therapy—Counseling for Relationships in Chicago, IL

Giving your best and your all to a relationship is easier said than done. Caring for your partner through the good times and bad is a romantic ideal, but it is a lot of hard work in reality. There’s no shame in seeking help to accomplish this — in fact, many couples choose to get support from a couples counselor in order to overcome their challenges and keep their relationship healthy. Therapy can be a place where each partner grows as an individual and where the couple grows closer within their relationship.

Thriveworks in Chicago, IL offers couples counseling because we know that it takes hard work to make a relationship work. That work is often worth it, and a little support along the way can help. Our therapists and counselors have helped many couples strengthen their relationships and are ready to help you with yours. Reach out today to get started.

Common Relationship Problems

Dr. John Gottman has conducted famous studies on what keeps couples together and what drives them apart. The surface-level challenges that cause couples trouble can vary greatly but there are typically four toxic behaviors at the root of those challenges that can destroy intimacy.

These four behaviors, what Dr. Gottman called The Four Horsemen, are defensiveness, stonewalling, criticism, and contempt. When one or more of these horsemen are present in a relationship, the couple may need to take action. Here is how to recognize these behaviors in a relationship:

  • Defensiveness — When partners do not accept responsibility for their own actions, they often are defensive. Defensiveness places accountability for one’s own actions upon other people or upon circumstances. Healthy relationships are built between two people who accept accountability and responsibility for their own feelings, thoughts, choices, and actions. When one or both partners are defensive, they respond to any issue by placing blame elsewhere. When confronted with a shortcoming, defensiveness looks like “how could you even say that? You know how stressed out I am.” A response that accepts responsibility looks like, “I promised to do that, but I did not. I am sorry. I will prioritize it and get it done as soon as possible.”
  • Stonewalling — When partners withdraw from each other during conflict, this is called stonewalling. It looks like denying and minimizing problems — sweeping them under the rug instead of working through them. When couples do not respond to each other’s needs, partners grow apart instead of together.
  • Criticism — Complaints and critiques are normal to any healthy relationship. When done with respect, these are opportunities for each partner to learn more about each other and listen to one another. A respectful critique looks like, “I did not know why the money had been withdrawn from the account, and I felt nervous when I saw it was gone.” Criticism is a different beast. Criticism attacks the other person instead of addressing one’s own feelings or the issue itself. Criticism looks like, “why are you so irresponsible with money? Do you want us to struggle?” Criticism places each partner against each other instead of together working to solve a problem.
  • Contempt — This may be the most toxic of the Four Horsemen. Contempt is disrespectful and demeaning behavior toward a partner. It is based in shame and makes partners feel less than instead of equals. It looks like eye-rolls, mocking, and sarcasm.

These four behaviors can threaten the stability of any couple’s relationship. The good news is that when they are recognized, the behaviors can be changed.

Beginning Relationship Counseling at Thriveworks in Chicago, IL

If you are ready to meet with a counselor or therapist about your relationship, know that Thriveworks in Chicago, IL offers couples counseling, and we have appointments available. When you contact our office, you and your partner can find a time that works for you — we offer weekend and evening sessions and even offer remote therapy appointments by video chat. We also accept many forms of insurance.

Call Thriveworks in Chicago, IL to schedule a couples therapy session today.

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 Chicago therapists and counselors accept 15 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

  • JP Farley Corporation

  • Multi Plan PHCS

  • Quest Behavioral Health

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Self-pay costs at Chicago
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
★★★★★
Therapist was able to help me become a better person and defeat the many shells I had to break
Leonardo Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have worked with Gary Zurawski, professionally, for many years. His thoughtfulness, skill and compassion comes through in his relationships with patients in a professional manner. He connects with them in a way that allows for a productive interactive experience.
Read more I have worked with Gary Zurawski, professionally, for many years. His thoughtfulness, skill and compassion comes through in his relationships with patients in a professional manner. He connects with them in a way that allows for a productive interactive experience.
Chicago Jun 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Chicago is located at 333 Michigan Ave Suite 1810, Chicago, IL 60601, right next to Fannie May and Blackhawk’s Store. We’re also close to the intersection of E. Lower Wacker and N. Michigan Avenue.

Phone number

(224) 529-3470

Languages spoken by IL providers

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

Shown in CT

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

Shown in CT

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