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

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 64 therapists in Florida available for an online or in-person session.
Karen Allen

Hear from Karen Allen, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

View Karen Allen's profile

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

My preferred approach for couples/marriage counseling is based on the Gottman method. I start couples therapy with the Gottman method because of the emphasis on building a relationship based on friendship, respect for each other, and interest in each other. When there is a genuine respect and interest in each other's well-being, developing and strengthening skills becomes the vehicle for nurturing the relationship.

What tools do you teach in couples/marriage counseling?

I teach many different skills based on a couple's needs. Some of the skills I teach include:

  • How to bring up a problem as a complaint without sounding critical
  • How to listen so your partner feels heard and understood
  • How to communicate with honesty and loving kindness
  • Allowing your partner to co-create plans and resolutions
  • Creating shared meaning out of experiences and knowledge of each other's lives, values, hopes, and dreams
  • Creating emotional safety in the relationship that allows each partner to be open and vulnerable
  • Identifying and strengthening healthy boundaries
  • Accepting each other's differences and the balance differences bring to the relationship
  • The importance of forgiveness, grace, and accountability in the relationship

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 the couple begins to realize they can allow each other to have a different perspective. For example, there are many mathematical ways to arrive at a sum of 9 and each one is correct, whether it is 5+4 or 7+2 or 6+3, etc. When couples can give each other the space to co-create to get their needs met, progress can feel like a win-win outcome.

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

Partners can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling by practicing the skills learned in session and giving each other permission to be imperfect — in other words, to be perfectly human. Change is progressive. Some progress is still progress, a step towards the desired destination.

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

To prepare for your first couples or marriage counseling session, think about what you want or need for yourself and also what the relationship needs to be healthy and satisfying. Also, are you willing to look forward toward what you want to accomplish rather than fixating on the past, resurrecting it every time there is a behavioral lapse? Successful couples/marriage therapy requires a commitment from each partner to improve the relationship and to refrain from threats to leave or give up on the relationship.

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 20 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Florida Blue | BCBS | Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

  • JP Farley Corporation

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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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