Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

1,746 people sought marriage counseling help at Washington in the last year

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

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

Need more help deciding?

The wedding between Prince Humperdink and Princess Buttercup may be one of the most recognizable of any movie of all time. The priest’s homily steals the scene as he declares, “Marriage, that blessed arrangement, that dream within a dream… and love, true love, will follow you forever… so treasure your love.” As if to highlight the absurdity of this homily, Prince Humperdink interrupts and insists, “Skip to the end!” Clearly, Humperdink’s and Buttercup’s marriage is no blessed arrangement, but theirs is not the only one. Marriage is often not a dream within a dream. That is a nice thought, but the reality is that every marriage has difficult times. Spouses often are annoyed, frustrated, and angered with each other—that is normal. It is also normal for spouses to reach out for help. More and more spouses are going to marriage therapy when they are in the midst of relational challenges. Marriage counseling is not a quick fix, but many spouses are finding the relationship help they need.

“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

The little things can make or break a marriage. Everyday interactions matter—both for throwing a marriage off track and for getting it back on track. When spouses are willing to take an honest look at their relationship and work toward positive change, a marriage therapist can often help them improve their relationship. There are never guarantees in relationships, but there is help.

The marriage therapists at Thriveworks Washington, DC have worked with many spouses, and we offer marriage counseling because we know that every relationship needs support during “good times and bad, in sickness and health, for rich or poor.” So, if you think that your marriage could benefit at all from working with a trained professional, reach out to Thriveworks Washington, DC to schedule an appointment.

Should We Start Marriage Therapy?

When spouses are struggling to connect, they may wonder if now is the time to reach out for help. Often, they are asking if others go to marriage therapy for similar issues, and the truth is that the decision to start counseling is very personal. There is no wrong reason to start, but there is no right reason either. It is more important that one or both spouses are ready. If you are asking if marriage therapy can help, that may be a sign it could. Listing every reason spouses begin counseling would be impossible, but a few examples of issues that have led some couples to start therapy include…

  1. One or both spouses have cheated: Adultery is often a crisis point for a marriage. Some spouses decide to part ways after one or both have cheated. Some spouses want to try to repair the harm and rebuild trust. Many have no idea what they want or what their next step could be—they simply feel the bitter sting and betrayal. Whatever the future may hold after an affair, a marriage therapist can often guide the process toward a healthy resolution—whatever resolution may mean to each spouse.
  2. Tension is strangling the relationship: Healthy relationships consist of healthy individuals—people who have unique feelings, thoughts, perspectives, choices, preferences, and more. Conflict is inevitable in any relationship, much less a marriage. When spouses respect their differences, resolve conflict, and move forward, disagreements and conflicts can be bonding experiences. However, when difference or disagreement escalates, spouses can begin to attack each other. They may feel as if tension will destroy the relationship. Marriage therapists often work with couples, teaching them conflict resolution skills.
  3. Apathy is strangling the relationship: Just as too much tension is a problem, so is no conflict. Fire is destructive but so is ice. Apathy in a marriage can signal several things. It may mean that one spouse’s perspective is being dominated by the other’s. It may also mean that one or both spouses are weary of conflict and they have given up. Neither are good signs for the future of the marriage, but both may be corrected if the spouses are willing to reach out for help. Marriage counselors often work with spouses to identify any problems that could be fueling the apathy and work through them.
  4. Spouses are living parallel, not interconnected, lives: Life is busy. Calendars are packed with work and hobbies and activities. It is easy for spouses to live parallel lives that never interconnected. Healthy spouses are busy, but they prioritize connection. When spouses are living parallel lives, it is often a red flag for an intimacy problem. Intimacy is simply anyway spouses connect in a meaningful way. It can be emotional, physical, social, sexual, spiritual, and more. When intimacy is off, the marriage may struggle. Marriage therapists often help spouses reconnect.

How the Gottman Method Can Help You and Your Partner

There are many different methods to marriage counseling but one method, the Gottman Method, has been proven to be very effective in helping couples face their problems and overcome them. The Gottman Method is a research-backed approach that combines tactics from the Sound Relationship House in order to address things like:

  • Poor communication
  • Frequent arguments and conflicts
  • Specific problems such as parenting, infidelity, financial strain, and lack of intimacy
  • Couples on the verge of separation or divorce

The Sound Relationship House theory is that there are nine components of a healthy relationship. When those nine components are addressed, it can increase empathy and understanding within the relationship. Those nine components are:

  1. Understanding your partner’s worries, stresses, and goals
  2. Improving and understanding affection and respect within your relationship
  3. Understand and state your needs and build upon them
  4. Effective problem-solving skills
  5. Manage conflict rather than “resolve” conflict
  6. Create a positive environment that encourages you and your partner to discuss your values, goals, and aspirations
  7. Understand narratives and goals in your relationship
  8. Maximize trust
  9. Cherish the qualities of one another to build commitment

Thriveworks Washington, DC has counselors with Level 1 Training of the Gottman Method and are ready to help you and your spouse today. If you are ready to work with one of these therapists, just let our scheduling team know when you call to set up your first appointment.

Schedule a Marriage Therapy Session at Thriveworks Washington, DC

Are you ready to reach out for help? Maybe you recognized something on this list of issues that bring spouses to marriage therapy. Maybe you didn’t. Everyone has their own journey. If the next step on your journey is to start marriage counseling, Thriveworks Washington, DC is ready to help. We have appointments available. When you contact our office, you may have your first appointment the following day. Our clients lead busy lives, so we offer evening and weekend sessions. However, we do not keep a waitlist, so you will never be put on one. Instead, we’ll try to get you in as soon as possible, often within the first week of your call. Additionally, we accept many different insurance plans. Let’s work together on your marriage. Call Thriveworks Washington, DC 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 Washington therapists and counselors accept 22 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield DC | BCBS PPO

  • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Maryland | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

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Self-pay costs at Washington
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 Washington reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
I’ve really been helped by Thriveworks. I have a wonderful counselor who has been able to arm me with resources and knowledge surrounding my mental illness so I can be more prepared against my own future thoughts or environments. I’ve been able to request a different psychiatrist when one was not entirely a correct match for me, and I always get great positive feedback and respect from my mental health care professionals. It seems like they actually want you to have a good match with someone and will help you along the way.
Read more I’ve really been helped by Thriveworks. I have a wonderful counselor who has been able to arm me with resources and knowledge surrounding my mental illness so I can be more prepared against my own future thoughts or environments. I’ve been able to request a different psychiatrist when one was not entirely a correct match for me, and I always get great positive feedback and respect from my mental health care professionals. It seems like they actually want you to have a good match with someone and will help you along the way.
DC Dec 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
As an educator of students with a variety of special needs, I can attest to Sam's pedigree as a counselor. He is a skillful communicator, a staunch advocate for his clients, and he demonstrates an uncanny ability to remain calm and knowledgeable despite every and any difficult situation. Sam has been an invaluable resource to me in understanding the underlying conditions and trauma that provoke certain behaviors in children. In short, he has made me a better teacher!
Read more As an educator of students with a variety of special needs, I can attest to Sam's pedigree as a counselor. He is a skillful communicator, a staunch advocate for his clients, and he demonstrates an uncanny ability to remain calm and knowledgeable despite every and any difficult situation. Sam has been an invaluable resource to me in understanding the underlying conditions and trauma that provoke certain behaviors in children. In short, he has made me a better teacher!
Washington, D.C. Jun 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
As the mother of a son with behavioral challenges finding an advocate to join your team is essential. Sam, my son’s therapist, came into our lives and changed our lives. We is extremely competent, caring, committed, tenacious and firm, unrelenting as an advocate and therapist for my son. He has also encouraged me and assured me of my successes. Everyone NEEDS a Sam...he’s available!
Read more As the mother of a son with behavioral challenges finding an advocate to join your team is essential. Sam, my son’s therapist, came into our lives and changed our lives. We is extremely competent, caring, committed, tenacious and firm, unrelenting as an advocate and therapist for my son. He has also encouraged me and assured me of my successes. Everyone NEEDS a Sam...he’s available!
Washington, D.C. Jun 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I've known Sam for many years and I can honestly say he truly cares. If you have Sam on your side, he'll give you the shirt off his back if you need it. He is hardworking, ethical and completely committed to his clients and their wellbeing.
Read more I've known Sam for many years and I can honestly say he truly cares. If you have Sam on your side, he'll give you the shirt off his back if you need it. He is hardworking, ethical and completely committed to his clients and their wellbeing.
Washington, D.C. Jun 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry DC is located on Wisconsin Ave near the waterfront. We currently share a building with Core Architecture and Design, Quarterlife Center, and Window Wears.

Phone number

(202) 932-7587

Languages spoken by DC providers

  • English
  • Creole
  • French
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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