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2,742 people sought marriage counseling help in Delaware in the last year

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

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I consider myself very fortunate to be in a career where I get to meet people everyday who are wanting to make improvements within themselves and/or t... I consider myself very fortunate to be in a career where I get to meet people everyday who are wanting to make improvements within themselves and/or their relationships. Read more

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Starting Marriage counseling

What is Marriage counseling?

Marriage counseling, also known as couples therapy and relationship counseling, helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. Thriveworks marriage counseling in Wilmington, DE 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 Marriage counseling include:

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

How does Marriage counseling work?

Marriage counseling 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 marriage counseling 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 Marriage counseling conducted in person or online?

Marriage 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 Marriage counseling last?

On average, couples attend marriage counseling for 12 weeks. However, 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. Marriage counselors and therapists at Thriveworks in Wilmington, DE work with their clients to create goals, decide on ideal timelines, and establish treatment plans.

Need more help deciding?

The relationship has changed. You and your spouse are more distant at times. Then, at other times, you are angry and frustrated. The sweet conversations that once flowed for hours are gone or few and far between. What changed? How can it be restored? Can it be restored? Most marriage vows include a commitment to the relationship “for better or worse” because most marriage experience good times and hard times. It is normal for spouses to struggle with how to love each other well and how to maintain their relationship throughout life’s challenges. It is also normal for spouses to reach out for help. Many couples are going to marriage therapy when their relationship is struggling.

“Marriage is not a noun; it’s a verb. It isn’t something you get. It’s something you do. It’s the way you love your partner every day.”
—Barbara De Angelis

As many as 40 percent of all first marriages end in divorce, and the rates go even higher for second and third time marriages. For some couples, divorce may be the right next step. For other couples, their marriage can be repaired, and the best of their relationship is in their future. Only those within the marriage can determine if they want to keep working at their relationship, but there is help and guidance for that decision. Many spouses are working with a marriage therapist for a better relationship—whatever form that relationship may take.

Being in a marriage is hard, and that is why Thriveworks Wilmington offers marriage counseling. It is ok to struggle, and it is ok to ask for help. Marriage therapy is often the right next step for spouses who are struggling in their relationship.

Is Now the Time to Go to Marriage Counseling?

When relationships hit troubled waters, many wonder if the issue they are facing is the type of issue people go to marriage counseling to resolve. When spouses should start therapy is a very personal decision. There is no perfect time to get started, but for many challenges that can hurt a couple’s relationship, the sooner spouses begin to address the problem, the better. Here are a few challenges that have led spouses to the decision to start marriage counseling…

1) Someone had an affair.

    • Cheating destroys trust, and trust is the foundation of a healthy bond. The circumstances and extent of the affair can vary from circumstance to circumstance, and it is normal for each spouse’s reaction to vary as well. In many ways, an affair is a crisis point. Some marriages recover. Some do not. Navigating the many different questions and problems and hurt that an affair can ignite is a difficult feat. Many people turn to a marriage therapist for help.

2) Each spouse is trying to change the other.
In healthy marriages, each spouse accepts the other for who they are—in their strengths and weaknesses. In healthy marriages, each spouse takes responsibility for their own personal growth. When these boundaries are blurred, spouses may begin to see each other for who they are not instead of appreciating each other for who they are. Shame, frustration, disappointment, and more will be introduced into the relationship. Marriage therapists often help spouses clarify these important boundaries.

3) You and your spouse never argue, or you and your spouse argue constantly.
Have you ever heard of The Golden Ratio? It is a metric that many marriage counselors use to determine a relationship’s health. Happy, healthy spouses have five positive interactions for every one negative interaction. Negative interactions are normal, but they are powerful. Too many arguments or disagreements can harm the relationship. At the same time, it is important for spouses to disagree. When differences are handled with respect, then they show a healthy individuality within the relationship. This individuality paves the way for genuine, positive interactions. Marriage therapists often help couples when The Golden Ratio is off balance.

Scheduling Marriage Therapy at Thriveworks Wilmington

If you and your spouse think that marriage therapy may help, know that the therapists at Thriveworks Wilmington have appointments. A few of the ways our counselors have helped our clients include…

  • Identifying toxic patterns. Spouses tend to relate to each other in predictable ways. Some of those patterns are healthy. Some are not. Often, spouses are not aware of these patterns, but a marriage therapist may be able to help them see them so that they can protect the healthy patterns and change the toxic ones.
  • De-escalating the tension. Healthy arguments can quickly evolve into personal attacks. Tensions rise. It is natural, but it is not helpful. Marriage therapists can often keep spouses focused upon solving the problem together.
  • Setting a timeline for change. Some marital problems are more urgent than others. Some changes can be made immediately. Others can wait. Marriage counselors often help spouses clearly name and prioritize the changes they want to make.

If your marriage is struggling, know that you are not alone. There are many options available. Meeting with a marriage therapist may be the right next step for you. If it is, know that Thriveworks Wilmington has appointments available. When you contact our office, a scheduling specialist will help you make an appointment. New clients often meet with their counselor within 24 hours of their first call. We also offer evening and weekend sessions and accept many forms of insurance. Let’s work together. Call Thriveworks Wilmington 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 Wilmington therapists and counselors accept 23 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • AmeriHealth New Jersey

  • Amerihealth Pennsylvania

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware | BCBS

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Wilmington
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 Thriveworks Wilmington reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Shannon Clay is an absolute GEM! I've never know a "professional" who exuded an empathy and compassion for what they do as a profession, as Shannon does! She personifies an uncanny willingness to provide resources and a listening ear. She's never judgemental and gives the best advice! I am a better person for having met her. I pray she goes far in this business, especially in the climate we are living in nowadays!
Read more Shannon Clay is an absolute GEM! I've never know a "professional" who exuded an empathy and compassion for what they do as a profession, as Shannon does! She personifies an uncanny willingness to provide resources and a listening ear. She's never judgemental and gives the best advice! I am a better person for having met her. I pray she goes far in this business, especially in the climate we are living in nowadays!
Wilmington Feb 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Wilmington is located at 300 Delaware Ave #1205, Wilmington, DE 19801, near the intersection of N. Tatnall St.

Phone number

(302) 205-1483

Languages spoken by DE providers

  • English
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
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

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
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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