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 therapy 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 therapy 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 accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
Need more help deciding?
Marriage Counseling and Couples Therapy in Somerville, MA
Restoring a relationship often takes support and help, and many couples find the support and help they need from a marriage or couples therapist. Skilled counselors can often guide their clients toward a healthier, more loving dynamic in their relationship.
That is why the relationship counselors at Thriveworks Counseling in Somerville offer marriage and couples therapy. We understand how easily a relationship can lose its flame, but we have also seen many couples rekindle their love. Reach out today for help.
Relational Problems: Common Issues
It does not matter how perfectly a relationship started or how long a couple has been together, every marriage and every relationship has troubles. Just as no individual’s life is perfect, no relationship is perfect. Relational problems may be common, but their ubiquity does not make them fun. Think about these common difficulties that couples face. Do you recognize any?
- Differing Goals – Couples do not always agree on where to give their time and attention. The differences in priorities can cause stress and tension.
- Distrust – When trust is broken, it can be repair but only with utmost attention, care, and time. Unaddressed ruptures in trust grow without intention efforts to repair them.
- Communication Difficulties – Listening, sharing, empathy, and vulnerability are foundational to healthy relationships, but they can easily be replaced with agendas and control.
- Disagreements about Family – In-laws, parenting styles, housing options…these are landmines in most relationships that can cause partners to work against each other instead of with each other.
- Problems with Intimacy – When physical or emotional intimacy suffers, the relationship as a whole often suffers.
How Can Marriage Counseling Help?
Restoring a marriage that has gone cold takes work. Both partners need to be committed to doing the work they need to do for the good of the marriage or couple.
Marriage therapists can guide the process. How might marriage counseling help? Couples counseling may provide…
- A more neutral atmosphere for discussion. Anyone in a relationship knows how quickly issues can escalate, but often, resolution to those issues requires the opposite—a calm environment where both partners feel safe to speak without attack or being attacked.
- Realistic timelines and expectations for change. Certain relational and marital problems require urgent change. For example, if abuse is involved, the spouse who is the victim needs safety—immediately. Other challenges need time. Therapists can guide couples on an appropriate timeline for change.
- Identification of toxic patterns. Certain behaviors are more destructive than others. John Gottman famously identified his four horsemen of the marriage apocalypse: contempt, criticism, stonewalling, and defensiveness. These patterns need to be changed for the couple to flourish relationally.
- Growth of conflict resolution skills. People can learn new skills of how to handle conflict. When they are open to change and willing to practice, their marriage or relationship often grows as well.
Scheduling Marriage and Couples Therapy at Thriveworks Somerville, MA
Are you and your significant other having difficulty? If you are fighting… If you are ignoring each other… If trust has broken… If communication has broken down… know that there is help and there are options. For many couples, they come to marriage therapy to help them understand their options.
If you are ready to begin working with a couples therapist or marriage counselor, Thriveworks Counseling in Somerville is ready to help. When you contact our office, know that a real person will answer your call (not voicemail). You may be able to meet with your therapist within the week of reaching out, and weekend and evening sessions are offered. We also accept most forms of insurance.
Let’s work for a healthier relationship. Call Thriveworks in Somerville today.
