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If your relationship feels strained—maybe conversations turn into arguments more often, or you’re struggling to connect like you used to—you might be wondering if couples therapy could help. Many people are asking the same question: Thriveworks data shows that interest in couples therapy grew 39 percent in 2024, outpacing all other therapy services.
There’s a good reason: Research shows that seven in 10 couples who try therapy report significant improvement in their relationships. The challenge? Cost often holds couples back from taking that first step.
“It’s easy to have sticker shock at the hourly rate of couples therapists,” says Amy Bishop, LMFT, a couples and family therapist in Colorado. But she encourages couples to think of it differently: “A happy and secure relationship pays off infinitely when it comes to reducing anxiety, feeling connected, and consequently having more energy and brain bandwidth.”
For many of Bishop’s clients, investing in couples therapy has created ripple effects beyond their romantic relationship, leading to stronger connections with their kids, better performance at work, and an improved ability to manage stress. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what couples therapy costs, what influences pricing, whether insurance covers it, and six practical ways to make it more affordable.
What does couples therapy typically cost?
Couples therapy costs more than individual therapy, which averages $143 per session. While national averages for couples therapy specifically are hard to pin down, most providers charge between $150 and $250 per session when paying out of pocket. At Thriveworks, for example, couples therapy sessions typically range from $160 to $240, depending on your state. (If your insurance covers couples therapy, you’ll likely pay significantly less—typically a copay of $20 to $50 per session. More on insurance coverage below.)
There are several reasons couples therapy commands a higher price point: Therapists are working with two people simultaneously, it takes additional time to understand complex relationship dynamics, and many couples therapists invest in specialized training beyond their base licensure.
Here’s how different therapy types compare:
| Therapy type | Average cost per session |
|---|---|
| Couples therapy | $150 to $250 |
| Individual therapy | $143 |
| Group therapy | $116 to $166, depending on state |
While couples therapy is the most expensive option on this list, it’s worth considering what you’re gaining—and what you might be risking by waiting.
The real cost of not addressing relationship problems
“Therapy is cheaper than a divorce,” says Cindy Johnson, a licensed marriage and family counselor at Thriveworks. According to Motley Fool’s 2025 research, the average cost of divorce in the United States is $11,300. By comparison, 12 couples therapy sessions at Thriveworks costs around $2,070.
But the comparison isn’t really about divorce versus therapy, it’s about the toll that unresolved relationship stress takes on your mental health, your physical wellbeing, and even your ability to show up for your kids, your work, and yourself. Addressing problems early, while they’re still manageable, tends to require fewer sessions and creates a stronger foundation for your relationship long-term.
What affects the price of couples counseling?
The costs above are averages, not exact quotes. What you actually pay depends on several factors:
Location and cost of living
Therapists, like everyone else, need to cover their living expenses, and those expenses vary significantly by location. In areas with higher costs of living, therapist rates tend to reflect that reality.
Provider availability matters too. Some states have “therapy deserts” where there simply aren’t enough licensed providers to meet demand, which drives prices up. For example, South Dakota has only one psychologist per 6,130 residents, while New York has one per 2,690 residents. These stats include all types of therapists, meaning the shortage may be even more pronounced for couples counselors specifically.
Therapist’s experience
“The more experience a therapist has, the higher their cost generally is because they have the skills and talent to back up the fee,” Johnson says.
There’s a potential upside to working with a more experienced therapist: They may be able to guide you through the work more efficiently, which could mean fewer total sessions and potentially a lower overall cost.
Therapist credentials
Different types of mental health providers—therapists, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners—can all offer couples therapy, and their rates vary based on their education and training.
If you’re paying out of pocket, providers with doctoral degrees (psychologists and psychiatrists) typically charge more than counselors with master’s degrees.
If your insurance covers couples therapy:
- Copay plans charge a flat rate per session regardless of the provider’s credentials
- Coinsurance plans charge you a percentage of the session cost, which means you’ll pay more for providers with higher rates
Session length and frequency
Longer or more frequent sessions will naturally cost more. But there’s an important tradeoff: Consistent weekly sessions often help couples work through problems faster than sporadic monthly check-ins. If you’re dealing with decreased intimacy or ongoing communication breakdowns, meeting weekly for 50-minute sessions may actually be more cost-effective in the long run than stretching out your progress with less frequent or shorter appointments.
How long problems have been building
A couples therapist won’t charge you more because you’ve been married for 20 years versus dating for six months. However, the number of sessions you need will vary—and problems that have been simmering for years often require more time to untangle than conflicts that just started.
“If you’re going to therapy early on in a problem, you will likely have a shorter duration of therapy than if you wait to seek help until you are about to divorce,” Johnson says. “Prevention is cheaper than a cure.”
If you approach therapy proactively—say, to work through a specific communication pattern you’ve noticed—you’ll likely need fewer sessions than if you’re trying to rebuild trust after years of unaddressed resentment.
“If you’re going to therapy early on in a problem, you’ll likely have a shorter duration of therapy than if you wait to seek help until you’re about to divorce. Prevention is cheaper than a cure.”
—Cindy Johnson, LMFT
Specialized approaches
Some therapists have advanced training in specific therapeutic methods that go beyond traditional talk therapy. Two common specialized approaches are:
- Emotionally focused therapy (EFT): Focuses on attachment and emotional connection between partners
- The Gottman method: Uses research-based interventions to improve communication and conflict resolution
“There are some approaches to therapy such as EFT and the developmental model which take significant time and financial investment from therapists,” Bishop explains. “Therapists who do these types often have a deep desire to be effective in their work and learn cutting-edge techniques that work, so they often charge more.”
Is couples therapy covered by insurance?
Short answer: Sometimes, but not always. Insurance companies typically only cover therapy when there’s a documented mental health diagnosis for an individual. Since couples therapy focuses on relationship dynamics rather than individual diagnoses, many insurance plans don’t cover it.
That said, more insurance companies are beginning to cover couples therapy, especially when relationship problems are connected to individual mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. The shift is partly driven by cost: Addressing relationship stress early is more cost-effective than treating the mental health issues that develop when problems go unaddressed for years.
When insurance doesn’t cover couples therapy, you pay the full session cost yourself, which is one of the main reasons couples delay getting help.
If your insurance does cover couples therapy
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan structure:
- Copay plans: You pay a fixed amount per session, typically $20 to $50
- Deductible plans: You pay the full cost until you meet your deductible, then insurance covers some or all of the remaining cost
- Coinsurance plans: You pay a percentage of the session fee, typically 20 to 40 percent
Insurance Quick Reference
- Copay plans: $20–$50 per session (flat rate)
- Deductible plans: Full cost until deductible met, then coverage kicks in
- Coinsurance plans: You pay 20–40% of session cost
Note: Most plans don’t cover couples therapy unless connected to an individual mental health diagnosis.
6 ways to make couples therapy more affordable
Therapy is an investment, and not everyone has unlimited resources. Here are some practical strategies to make couples counseling work within your budget:
1. Ask about sliding scale rates.
Some therapists offer sliding scale fees based on your combined household income. This isn’t advertised everywhere, so it’s worth asking directly when scheduling your first appointment.
2. Scale back session frequency after making initial progress.
Once you’ve built momentum—usually after the first month or so—you might be able to meet every other week instead of weekly. Ask your therapist for homework or exercises you can work on between sessions to keep making progress.
3. Look for training programs or university clinics.
Graduate students who are closely supervised by licensed therapists often provide couples counseling at reduced rates. While they’re still in training, they’re working with experienced supervisors and using evidence-based approaches.
Where to look: Search “[your city] counseling training clinic” or check the psychology and counseling department websites at nearby universities. Many run community clinics specifically for this purpose. You can also call the university’s counseling program directly to ask about low-cost therapy options for the public.
4. Explore intensive workshops or retreats.
Some couples therapists offer weekend workshops or multi-day retreats that condense several sessions’ worth of work into a shorter timeframe. These require an upfront investment but can be more affordable overall than months of weekly sessions.
Similar to the training programs, you can search for “couples therapy workshop [your city]” or look for established programs like Gottman workshops or Imago Relationship Therapy weekends in your area. Many therapists advertise these on their websites or Psychology Today profiles.
5. Consider a hybrid approach.
Some therapists alternate between individual and couples sessions. Since insurance often covers individual therapy, this approach lets you use your benefits for the one-on-one work while paying out of pocket only for the joint sessions.
6. Do the work between sessions.
“If you’re open and honest in therapy and then apply the tools and do the homework during the week, you’ll see significant changes,” Johnson says. “The better you do on your homework, the faster healing happens.”
When you actively practice what you’re learning in therapy, you often need fewer sessions overall, which means less money spent and faster progress toward a healthier relationship.
The bottom line
Couples therapy costs more than individual or group therapy, and it’s not always covered by insurance. But for many couples, the investment pays off—not just in terms of avoiding potential separation or divorce costs, but in improved mental health, stronger connections with partners and kids, and the ability to show up more fully in all areas of life.
If the cost feels overwhelming, remember that you have options: sliding scale rates, less frequent sessions after initial progress, and hybrid approaches can all make therapy more accessible. And the earlier you address relationship challenges, the fewer sessions you’ll likely need.
7 in 10
Couples report significant improvement after therapy
Investing in your relationship often pays off in ways that extend far beyond cost savings
Frequently asked questions
How many sessions does couples therapy usually take?
There’s no set number—it varies based on your specific situation. On average, couples attend anywhere from eight to 20 sessions, but this depends on whether you’re coming in for preventive support or crisis intervention, how willing both partners are to do the work (both in and outside of sessions), and the complexity of the issues you’re addressing. Some couples see significant improvement in just a few months, while others benefit from ongoing support over a longer period.
Do therapists charge more for couples sessions than individual therapy?
Yes, most therapists charge more for couples sessions. Since they’re working with two people simultaneously and relationship dynamics require additional expertise and specialized training, higher rates are standard across the field. However, this isn’t universal—at Thriveworks, for example, many providers charge the same rate whether they’re seeing individuals or couples.
Is online couples therapy usually cheaper?
Online couples therapy typically costs about the same as in-person sessions. The per-session rate is usually comparable, but you save on transportation costs and time. Many couples also prefer the convenience of attending from home—there’s no commute, no waiting room, and you can process what came up in the session without having to get back in the car and navigate traffic.
