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4,547 people sought couples therapy help at Houston 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 69 therapists in Texas available for an online or in-person session.

Hear from our clinicians

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

Alejandra: My go-to approach for helping people in couples/marriage counseling is an eclectic approach. I find the best benefit of an eclectic approach is the flexibility it provides me to adjust to each couple’s needs. Each person within the couple unit has their own set of roles, value systems, experiences, and traditions. I pull tools from Gottman couples therapy; cognitive behavioral, emotionally focused, collaborative, and solution-focused therapies; psychoeducation; and positive psychology to help couples achieve their goals.

Victoria: My go-to approach for helping people in couples/marriage counseling is identifying the concerning problems and learning ways to repair the relationship based on the identified concern. I find the thing with the best benefit is learning to be comfortable with the hard issues because that is what makes a relationship successful in the long run.

What tools do you teach in couples/marriage counseling?

Alejandra: I teach the following tools in couples/marriage counseling:

  • Emotional regulation and distress tolerance via mindfulness practice, videos, and worksheets. I work with families to attune to each other physically, emotionally, and mentally so they can build insight and confidence in being able to navigate conflicts or disagreements.
  • Self-care tools to reinforce emotion regulation skills.
  • Cognitive challenging/reframing/refocusing via the use of cognitive triangles and understanding unhelpful thinking patterns. I encourage families to use worksheets/handouts to practice their skills daily and build new habits.
  • Exploration of individual roles within the couple unit, and exploration of values (especially with blended families and creating consistency for children).
  • Healthy communication skills to create positive/supportive relationships, advocate for needs, and build conflict management skills.
  • Healing after affairs.
  • Healthy boundary-setting skills that fit within the client’s personal values and couple units (work on compromising skills).
  • Positive affirmation and appreciation skills.

Victoria: I feel the following tools should be taught in couples/marriage counseling:

  • Identifying healthy relationships
  • Identifying wants vs. needs
  • Respecting boundaries
  • Identifying mutual goals and interests

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

Alejandra: I know a couple is making meaningful progress in therapy when they can actively listen to one another and validate each other’s emotions in a non-defensive way. These skill sets can help a couple to navigate when there is a difference of opinion or other types of conflict. A couple can also make meaningful progress by demonstrating vulnerability, openness, and/or self-awareness. Each person in the couple unit is unique, brings their own sense of individuality, and plays a role. The more each person is aware of their role in the couple unit and how it impacts others, the more progress the couple can make.

Victoria: I know a client is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when they are able to identify when relationship issues occur and can use tools learned in sessions to mitigate problems.

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

Alejandra: Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling with daily skills practice, or reflections. I try to make a habit of giving my clients small, manageable tasks to practice each day. I spend time with my clients to build these tasks into their current habits or routines to help establish a new pattern/healthy habit. This can include things like sharing appreciation, practicing quality time, communication skills, etc.

Victoria: Clients can spend more time talking to each other about the things that are brought out in sessions to learn how to work through them independently using what they have learned in sessions.

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

Alejandra: A first couple/marriage counseling session can come with so many different emotions. In a first session, I will typically meet with the couple for the first few minutes and ask about the last few weeks and how the couple first met. After that, I take time to meet with each person individually to get individual perspectives and history and get to know them/understand how they view the world and others around them. It’s important to share as much information as honestly as possible, but my first priority will always be my client’s safety and comfort level. If I ask a tough question, I don’t expect anyone to share every detail — just what they are willing and able to. I encourage my clients to always ask me questions in return because I want my clients to get to know me and feel safe/comfortable. Therapy is most effective when each person can connect with their therapist. You can prepare for therapy further by thinking about your top goal, or what it is that you hope to gain from therapy. This helps me to create a more effective approach that fits the couple’s needs.

Victoria: To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, you can prepare a list of concerns that brought you to counseling and also list the things that brought you together.

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?

Are you experiencing a relationship issue that’s causing you and your partner unnecessary stress? Is it putting a strain on your home life, or possibly even affecting your children?

If you’re struggling, looking into couples counseling or marriage counseling is a great idea. The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists even advises that the sooner you and your spouse embark upon couples therapy, the more likely you are to successfully resolve your differences.

Thriveworks Counseling in Houston, TX can offer couples therapy right now. Just call our office, and we’ll set you up with one of our skilled and compassionate couples therapists.

Not Seeing Eye to Eye?

Of course, even the strongest couples are likely to experience disagreements at some point. It would be unnatural to assume that you and your partner will always agree on everything! However, if you’re stuck on a certain issue or starting to experience the lows more than the highs, now is a good time to get in touch with a Houston couples counselor.

Many couples hesitate to seek out professional support because they may otherwise have a strong relationship. But why wait until that one issue drags on for so long, everything else starts feeling bad too?

Common Disagreements in Relationships

While every couple’s circumstances are unique, there are common topics that many partners will disagree on throughout the course of their relationship. These could include:

  • Worries about a partner being unfaithful
  • Stress in dealing with a health issue and related expenses
  • Disagreements over how to raise children
  • Different thoughts about the future
  • Unhappiness over a partner who’s lost a job or works too much
  • Arguments about money, including spending and saving.

Or it may be something else entirely! The Houston, TX couples counselor you see may not have dealt with your specific circumstances before, but their wisdom and training will enable them to help you resolve your differences.

How Can a Couples Therapist Help?

The AMFT reports that after attending couples counseling, more than 93% of couples feel that they’re better prepared to deal with any issues that may happen down the road. Wouldn’t you like to find a way to deal with your disagreements in a respectful manner that honors both you and your partner and helps you have a happier future?

Your couples counselor will make sure you feel safe and comfortable in your sessions. This is key to opening up and having these often difficult conversations with your counselor and your partner.

Couples therapy can be short-term or long-term; this depends on the couples’ issues, needs, and goals for counseling.

Schedule an Appointment at Thriveworks in Houston, TX

If you think you and your partner could benefit from the support of a Houston, TX couples counselor, don’t hesitate to call. Thriveworks would be happy to set you up with one of our relationship counselors.

To schedule your appointment, just call our office. We look forward to it!

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 Houston therapists and counselors accept 41 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Ambetter by Superior Health Plan

  • APEX Memorial Hermann

  • ARIA | Covenant Management Systems

  • Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP)

  • Auto Club Enterprises (Employers Health Network)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Exchange

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HMO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas PPO

  • Buist Byars and Taylor (Employers Health Network)

  • Carelon

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Self-pay costs at Houston
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

Thriveworks Houston has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in Texas.

4.5 Thriveworks Houston reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Read more Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Anonymous Thriveworks Client
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Houston is located off Allen Pkwy at the intersection of Rosine St and D’Amico St. We currently share the building with URBN Dental Montrose. Across the street you will find The Gordy Theater Company and Stages parking garage.

Phone number

(281) 789-6829

Languages spoken by TX providers

  • English
  • Spanish
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
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in CT

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
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in CT

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