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32,837 people sought couples therapy help in Florida in the last year

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

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As a professional who has worked in this field for a little over 35 years, I have had the benefit of a great many challenges in my life which I accent... As a professional who has worked in this field for a little over 35 years, I have had the benefit of a great many challenges in my life which I accented with my formal education to help me empathize with my clients. Read more

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Virginia Stegall

Hear from Virginia Stegall, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

View Virginia Stegall's profile

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

My go-to approach for helping people in couples/marriage counseling is to first teach active listening skills. I find benefit in starting with basic communication skills due to the fact that many misunderstandings are due to a lack of listening skills, with one or both parties of the couple simply feeling that they are not being heard. After the couple has mastered this skill, their communication becomes more effective.

What tools do you teach in couples/marriage counseling?

I teach the following tools in couples/marriage counseling:

  • Active listening skills.
  • Assertive communication skills using the word “I” instead of “you.”
  • Encouraging each person to talk about what they might be doing to create misunderstanding and conflict and to refrain from pointing out the other's flaws.
  • Examining internalized negative messages they received in childhood that might be causing relationship problems in adulthood.
  • Building individual self-worth through the examination of personal values, personal overall purpose in life, and individual attachment to something meaningful that is larger than one's own interests.
  • Planning pleasant activities to do together and focusing on positivity.
  • Teaching how one's ego can get in the way of understanding someone else's point of view.

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

I know clients are making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when they incorporate the things they learn during the sessions into their lives and report about it the next session. I also see progress when they begin to see each other as allies rather than enemies or barriers to their happiness. I also know they are making progress when they spend time between sessions looking up information for themselves to improve their relationship.

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

Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling by planning time to spend together doing pleasant activities, focusing on positive topics, and noticing when either of them shows the ability to meet the needs of the other after being informed.

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

To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, you can examine yourself and your own contributions to conflict and come ready to be honest, authentic, and willing to learn.

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?

At Thriveworks in Gainesville, FL, we have couples therapists and marriage counselors who can assist you in addressing your relationship’s issues. Trust in our industry-leading providers to help you and your spouse or partner navigate turbulent times.

With a mental health professional’s guidance, your connection may find solid ground once more. Feel free to call or go online for more information about our services. 

Do We Need Couples Therapy? 

 That’s why There are common indications that may warn of unhealthy dynamics between couples, including the following: 

  • Passive-aggressive comments or abusive behavior 
  • Inability to respect each other’s boundaries
  • Cheating, which may be uniquely defined within your relationship
  • Arguments that last for hours or days 
  • Avoiding physical touch or sex 
  • Lying and other forms of emotional manipulation
  • Stonewalling, or refusing to talk through important issues 

These are only some of the behaviors that may indicate that a couple is experiencing communication difficulties. These symptoms are typically indications that you and your partner are not able to establish clear boundaries. That’s why those in troubled relationships can often benefit from the impartial guidance offered by a therapist or counselor. Reinforcing respectful communication and understanding can help to benefit any couple, at any stage in their connection. 

Couples therapists and marriage counselors at Thriveworks in Gainesville, FL can assist partners to: 

  • Highlight the importance and need for compromise
  • Rebuild trust after infidelity or dishonesty 
  • Establish healthy boundaries
  • Rekindle sexual intimacy together  
  • Help both partners manage anger or anxiety 

How Does Couples Counseling Work?

Relationship counseling is designed to benefit both of you by: 

  • Using feedback from both partners to establish healthy boundaries for communication 
  • Rebuilding trust by working through tough issues like infidelity or verbal abuse
  • Rekindling intimacy by exploring physical aspects of your relationship
  • Highlighting the importance and need for compromise with your therapist

In some instances, only one of you may be interested in contacting us for mental health assistance. That’s understandable—though it can be helpful to remember that couples therapy or marriage counseling seeks to bring partners closer together.

See a Marriage or Relationship Counselor in Gainesville, FL

Our couples therapists and relationship counselors at Thriveworks in Gainesville, FL have the resources and tools to help you and your loved one to start repairing your relationship. If you think that your relationship could benefit from the expertise of a mental health professional, don’t hesitate to give us a call, or go online to schedule your first 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 Gainesville therapists and counselors accept 23 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Florida Blue | BCBS | Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana Medicare Advantage

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Self-pay costs at Gainesville
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 cannot sing the praises of Thriveworks any louder; I have three professionals guiding me through a really rough time in my life. I didn't know how much I "needed" therapy until they started helping me see myself an my situations in an honest light. I look forward to continued growth with the support and guidance of my amazing team.
Read more I cannot sing the praises of Thriveworks any louder; I have three professionals guiding me through a really rough time in my life. I didn't know how much I "needed" therapy until they started helping me see myself an my situations in an honest light. I look forward to continued growth with the support and guidance of my amazing team.
Robin Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Gainesville is at the corner of NW 39th Avenue and NW 43rd Street. We are across the street from Truist, and share an office building with Swift Creek Realty.

Phone number

(352) 469-4507

Languages spoken by FL providers

  • English
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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