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.

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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?

Relationships aren’t always easy. Spending a lot of time and sharing space with another person lets you get to know each other on a deep, intimate level. This means sharing little details about your life that other people may not know, but it also means tolerating one another’s flaws, quirks, and pet peeves.

Over time, you and your partner will experience highs and lows in your relationship. You’ll probably argue over little things like folding laundry and doing dishes, but you’ll also face major life challenges and periods of trial together.

Your ability to resolve conflict and weather difficult challenges together can greatly impact the long-term success of your relationship. The skills needed to navigate relationship challenges don’t come naturally to everyone, and it’s okay to ask for help when you need to have a difficult conversation or take the next step in your journey together.

A licensed marriage and family therapist can help you work through the tough times in your relationship and make the best out of the good ones. If you and your partner are having trouble seeing eye-to-eye or want to strengthen your relationship at its core, consider pursuing couples therapy or counseling at Thriveworks Counseling in Palo Alto, CA. You can book your first appointment online or by calling our helpful scheduling team for assistance.

Why Should We Consider Couples Counseling?

Couples counseling and marriage and family therapy can be beneficial for a relationship at any stage. Whether you’re looking for guidance before you take a big step together or you need help resolving a major conflict, a couples therapist or counselor can guide you in the right direction and teach you how to overcome the issues you’re facing.

There are many different reasons to pursue couples therapy or counseling, including the following:

  • Difficulty resolving conflict or frequent arguing
  • Breakdown in communication
  • Premarital counseling
  • Major life changes or transitions
  • Financial disagreements
  • Betrayal of trust or confidence
  • Substance abuse or addiction
  • Differences in religious or political beliefs
  • Intimacy issues or sexual dissatisfaction
  • Disagreements in roles and responsibilities
  • Childbirth, adoption, or blending families
  • Parental disagreements
  • Behavioral problems in children

The problems in your relationship can often extend outside your home and affect your other relationships, work-life balance, mental health, and outlook on life. If you and your partner need help with any of these specific issues, or something else is driving a wedge between you, consider beginning couples counseling at Thriveworks in Palo Alto, CA before those issues start to interfere with your life.

How Can Couples Therapy Help Us?

For most couples, working with a couples therapist or counselor improves their relationships on many different levels. Therapy or counseling can help you resolve conflict, bring you closer together, improve intimacy (both physical and emotional), and teach you how to be a more resilient pair in the long run.

Over the course of a few sessions, a couples therapist or counselor will help you and your partner get to know one another all over again. You’ll work on identifying and accepting one another’s differences and pinpointing sources of conflict between you. Over time, your provider will walk you through exercises and discussions to help you overcome that conflict and repair or strengthen many parts of your relationship.

The skills you acquire during couples counseling or therapy can include improved communication, active listening, enhanced problem-solving abilities, and effective conflict resolution. These valuable takeaways can improve the issues you’re having in your relationship and be applied in many other situations in life. Your other relationships, performance at work, and overall satisfaction might improve when you master and begin using these abilities in other areas in life.

Couples therapy can help you work through the most difficult problems in your relationship and come out on the other side as a truly dynamic duo. If you’d like to see how couples counseling can help improve your relationship, connect with Thriveworks Counseling in Palo Alto, CA today. You may be able to speak with a licensed marriage and family therapist within just 24 to 48 hours.

Couples Therapy Appointments Available at Thriveworks in Palo Alto, CA

When you’re ready to reconnect with your partner and take your relationship to the next level, a couples therapist or counselor at Thriveworks in Palo Alto, CA is available to help. Our mental health professionals are experienced and passionate about helping couples repair their relationships and overcome even the toughest challenges.

Thriveworks makes it easy and convenient to get the support you need for your relationship with the following benefits:

  • Appointments offered seven days a week
  • Therapy sessions start on time
  • Online appointment opportunities
  • Phone and email access to providers between appointments
  • Compassionate providers that accept many insurance plans
  • Exclusive online video content

You don’t have to wait any longer to start getting more out of your relationship. A stronger, healthier, happier partnership is possible, and Thriveworks in Palo Alto, CA can help you find it. Contact our office today or use our online scheduling platform to set up your first appointment.

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 Palo Alto therapists and counselors accept 18 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Shield of California | BCBS

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

  • Imperial Health Plan Medicare Advantage

  • JP Farley Corporation

  • Magellan

  • Medicare CA

  • MHN

Show more
Self-pay costs at Palo Alto
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 Palo Alto has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in California.

4.5 Thriveworks Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto is in the same building as Integrated Health Care, Bookshare, Heshmat Pain Management, Rea Laidler Chiropractor, Benetech, and Forbes Marshall Inc. On the other side of the building is New Mayfield Lane, and a parking garage. Nearby is Jin Sho, Terun, and Backyard Brew restaurants, as well as La Bodeguita del Medoi, Izzy’s Brooklyn Bagels, Ramen Kowa, and Kali Greek Kitchen.

Phone number

(650) 885-9469

Languages spoken by CA providers

  • English
  • Tagalog
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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