Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

763 people sought marriage counseling help at Salem in the last year

Discover how starting 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 37 therapists in Massachusetts available for an online or in-person session.

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 Salem, MA 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 Salem, MA work with their clients to create goals, decide on ideal timelines, and establish treatment plans.

Need more help deciding?

Marriage is the ultimate commitment. It’s a promise to stand by your partner’s side for the rest of your lives. It’s an agreement to work through all of the difficult, stressful, infuriating obstacles that might come your way. But we don’t have to explain this commitment to you. If you’re on this page, you’ve likely already made this commitment, and you might even be questioning this commitment that you made—especially if you and your spouse are struggling to work through a conflict or see eye-to-eye. If this is the case, you’ve come to the right place.

Marriage doesn’t guarantee you will be together forever; it’s only paper.

It takes love, respect, trust, understanding, friendship, and faith

in your relationship to make it last.”

–Unknown

Thriveworks Salem Counseling is here to reassure you that marriage counseling can help. It can help you and your spouse work through any challenges at hand, prepare for future challenges, and also make the informed decision on where your relationship is destined to go next. In other words, some people are better off apart. If you and your spouse come to this conclusion, your marriage counselor can provide support and help you separate amicably.

You can schedule a marriage counseling session at Thriveworks Salem Counseling today. All you have to do is call our office. When you call, you’ll be presented with both in-person and online counseling options. Choose what works best for you, your partner, and your relationship. Whatever you choose, our marriage counselors will be happy to work with you.

How Can Marriage Counseling Help?

Are you wondering if couples therapy or marriage counseling is worthwhile? You’re probably wondering what actually happens during a therapy session. Couples therapy and marriage counseling is a form of psychotherapy in which both partners are encouraged to attend. However, in some cases one party may be more hesitant, or even refuse to attend. Also, if the counselor finds it beneficial, he or she may choose to meet the clients separately.

Either way, one of the primary goals of couples and marriage counseling is to educate the participants—providing them with the tools to manage their relationship conflicts. Some of the skills and techniques taught include:

  • Emotional control
  • Improved listening skills
  • Negotiation techniques
  • How-to deescalate conflicts

Couples and marriage counseling sessions last between 45-90 minutes on average, depending on the particular therapist and the needs of the participants. That said, there are no cast-iron guidelines on how long a couple should attend relationship counseling for—some people will observe an improvement after a month, while others will require more time to see the progress. Timeframes are always unique to a couple’s situation.

Are We Better Off Apart?

If you and your spouse are at a crossroads in your marriage, you might be wondering if marriage counseling is even worth the effort. We want you to know that salvaging a relationship at all costs is not necessarily the best course of action. In many cases, parting ways on amicable terms is the best conclusion for a couple.

However, despite this ambiguity, couples therapy or marriage counseling can be an effective solution to resolving a relationship impasse, for better or for worse. Counselors can guide couples to either of the conclusions – that reconciliation is possible, or that ending their relationship amicably is the only suitable course. A knowledgeable therapist will be able to facilitate both scenarios and help lessen the chances of a permanent fallout following the separation.

Work with a Marriage Counselor at Thriveworks Salem Counseling

Here at Thriveworks Salem we believe that when a couple chooses to seek the professional support of a couples therapist or marriage counselor, they are always making a positive step—it is proof that the partners at question are willing to work for a happier future, irrespective of the final outcome.

Marriage counselors at Thriveworks Salem are trained to be impartial, nonjudgmental and always act in the upmost confidence with our clients. They have a depth of experience that allows them to work with all individuals, at all stages of their relationships. We understand how to best help our clients—no matter who they are or what problems they approach us with. We believe that change is possible; better yet, we believe that our marriage counselors can help you achieve this change. Consider reach out to us today to arrange your first couples or marriage counseling session. 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 Salem therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Salem
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
★★★★★
The therapist at Thriveworks ( Stephen Medina) is absolutely fantastic. He is very well educated and is able to get me to open up.
Read more The therapist at Thriveworks ( Stephen Medina) is absolutely fantastic. He is very well educated and is able to get me to open up.
Sharron Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Outstanding from first call to assigning me a therapist for my particular needs. I would recommend them to anyone. My therapist is top notch!
Read more Outstanding from first call to assigning me a therapist for my particular needs. I would recommend them to anyone. My therapist is top notch!
Sharron Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist, Stephen Medina is professional, caring, smart and is very good at gaining my trust. He is highly skilled in PTSD. I am starting to feel whole again.
Read more My therapist, Stephen Medina is professional, caring, smart and is very good at gaining my trust. He is highly skilled in PTSD. I am starting to feel whole again.
Sharron Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Celine is very compassionate and professional
Debra Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Salem is located in McIntire Historic District on Washington St. where it intersects with Lynde St. We share a building with MassHire North Shore Career Center - Salem, Koto Grill & Sushi, and other businesses.

Phone number

(978) 637-8213

Languages spoken by MA 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

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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

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