Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

9,721 people sought couples & marriage counseling help in California in the last year

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 7 therapists in California available for an online or in-person session.

Starting Couples & marriage counseling

What is couples & marriage counseling?

Couples therapy and marriage counseling, also known as relationship counseling, helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy and marriage counseling include:

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

What type of therapy is used in couples therapy?

The types of therapy used in couples and marriage counseling include:

  • The Gottman Method
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Emotionally-focused therapy (EFT)
  • Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)
  • Strength-based therapy

What kind of therapist is best for couples?

At Thriveworks, Couples & marriage counseling is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples.

What is the Gottman Method of couples therapy?

The Gottman Method of couples therapy is a research-supported approach designed to enhance relationships by bolstering the bond between partners, resolving conflicts, and fostering shared meaning in their relationship through comprehensive assessments and tailored interventions that improve communication, trust, and the overall health of the partnership.

How to tell if I need couples therapy?

If you’re facing persistent relationship problems, communication breakdowns, or unresolved conflicts that are impacting your emotional well-being and happiness, Couples & marriage counseling may be beneficial for you.

Should every couple go to couples therapy?

While marriage and couple’s counseling is typically recommended for couples who are experiencing persistent or severe relationship issues, any relationship can benefit from attending these sessions.

Is couples & marriage counseling conducted in person or online?

Marriage and couples counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.

How long does couples & marriage counseling last?

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

How much does couples & marriage counseling cost?

At Thriveworks, we take most major forms of insurance, which means that many of our clients only pay $0-$50 co-pay per session. However, there are also self-pay options that sit around $200 per session, depending on the service and location, for those who are out-of-network.

Need more help deciding?

Tyler and Andrea have been married for 10 years, and for the most part, things have been great. They have two children, and both are enjoying successful careers. Their future shows a lot of promise, but there are also a lot of unknowns. And it’s these unknowns that are driving a wedge between Tyler and Andrea; both of them are stressed about money, their kids, and their romantic relationship. 

Tyler doesn’t want their stress to get in between them—so he’s considering whether the two of them could benefit from talking to a marriage counselor about what they’re dealing with. While Andrea feels hesitant, she also agrees that having a professional’s insight and guidance might help them. Plus, the added stability and support could allow them to re-ignite the long-forgotten romantic aspects of their relationship; something that’s been missing for some time. 

If Tyler and Andrea’s situation sounds familiar, then perhaps you and the one you love are struggling with your own set of issues. If you are, confiding in a couples therapist or marriage counselor might make a big difference. At Thriveworks in Irvine, CA, our marriage counselors and couples therapists are ready to work together with you to improve your relationship and reignite that spark. 

Do We Need to Work with a Relationship Counselor?

Deciding to talk with a marriage counselor or couples therapist is an important decision that you and your partner will need to make together—but if you do choose to connect with a mental health professional at Thriveworks, you’ll be gaining a powerful ally to help you improve your relationship. Couples therapy and marriage counseling can offer ways to: 

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

Plus, marriage counselors and couples therapists are licensed professionals, whose sole commitment is to help you and your romantic partner strengthen your relationship. You’ll give them the valuable insight that they need to provide you both with personalized mental health care. 

While each couple is unique, common signs that you and your partner might benefit from professional assistance include: 

  • Arguments that last for hours or days 
  • Passive-aggressive or abusive behavior 
  • Inability to respect each other’s boundaries
  • Cheating 
  • Avoiding physical touch or sex 
  • Lying and other forms of emotional manipulation

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, there’s no reason to feel shame. And our therapists and counselors aren’t going to judge you for your difficulties. Instead of feeling defeated about seeking assistance with your relationship, it might be helpful to view the process as a way to prioritize your bond. The most important thing is the connection between both of you, and taking steps to preserve that connection is a smart choice. 

Schedule Couples Therapy or Marriage Counseling at Thriveworks in Irvine, CA

When you and you and your partner reach out to Thriveworks in Irvine, CA for marriage counseling or couples therapy, you’ll be connected with a provider who cares about helping you improve your relationship. And when you enroll in our services, you’ll be gaining access to a great variety of exclusive benefits, including: 

  • Online therapy: With online therapy, moving your relationship forward doesn’t need to be held up by your busy schedule or time spent apart for work or travel. As long as you can talk privately and at a time that works for both of you to chat with a therapist, you and your partner can still attend sessions together. 
  • Scheduling assistance 7 days a week: Our scheduling specialists are available every day of the week, helping you find the right counselor to fit your needs and your schedules
  • Life coach q/a chat line: For those questions that can’t wait until your next session.

And remember, a couples therapist or marriage counselor can assist you both 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 

So when you’re both ready, contact Thriveworks in Irvine to get connected with a therapist or counselor that can help you get your relationship back on the right track.

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 Irvine therapists and counselors accept 23 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Shield of California | BCBS

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

  • Imperial Health Plan Medicare Advantage

  • JP Farley Corporation

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Self-pay costs at Irvine
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
★★★★★
So thankful to have been connected to my therapist.
Sulyn Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Irvine is off of Irvine Center Drive and Yale Avenue. We are across the street from Wildwood Park, and near Good Shepherd Preschool.

Phone number

(657) 315-1250

Languages spoken by CA providers

  • Vietnamese
  • English
  • Spanish
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
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in PT

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
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in PT

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