Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

1,743 people sought couples & marriage counseling help in Iowa 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?

Renee has always wanted to be a world traveler. When she was younger, she would cut out photos of places from her National Geographic magazines and tape them to her bedroom walls.

But now in her early thirties, Renee hasn’t traveled in years. She’s a stay-at-home mother to an energetic young daughter, and her days are filled with activities that center around the wellbeing of her child. Her husband, Brandon, is still in school. When he’s not attending classes, he’s working his delivery job to pay the family’s bills.

Renee and Brandon haven’t been getting along since the birth of their daughter. Renee feels like she doesn’t have the social outlets she craves and isn’t appreciated for her role at home while Brandon feels overworked and misunderstood. They slam doors, scream, and disturb their neighbors at least once a week.

After months of constant bickering, they decide it’s time to speak to someone. They want to make their marriage work, so they sign up for relationship counseling with a Thriveworks provider. Their counselor is considerate, addressing both of their needs with equal contemplation. For the first time in more than a year, Renee and Brandon express themselves without raising their voices. They feel hopeful that they can build a brighter future together.

Few things in life take more time, energy, and care than maintaining healthy relationships. Because relationships are partnerships, it can feel difficult to adequately address your concerns when you and your partner aren’t on the same page. A marriage therapist or relationship counselor can serve as a mediator, opening the door to a thoughtful and productive discussion.

Relationships take time. You can make sure your relationship has what it needs to develop by meeting with a professional at Thriveworks in West Des Moines, IA. Reach out to us today to get started.

Why Do Couples Seek Relationship Counseling?

If you asked different people why they fell in love, you’d likely get a multitude of different reasons: his personality, her jokes, our shared hobbies, their intelligence. The same is true of conflict; the complications that arise in relationships are just as varied and nuanced as the reasons we fall in love.

Our clients arrive at therapy seeking a variety of growth opportunities to improve their relationships. Some of their reasons for seeking our help include:

  • Financial disagreements
  • Child-rearing issues
  • Marriage planning
  • Divorce or separation
  • Parenting differences
  • Religious differences
  • Jealousy
  • Infidelity
  • Addiction and substance abuse
  • Intimacy and sex complications
  • Communication issues

What Can a Therapist or Counselor Do for My Marriage or Relationship?

There’s an incorrect assumption that couples therapy is only for couples who are having significant problems in their relationships. But couples counseling can help couples at all stages of their relationships. In fact, many couples choose to see a provider before their wedding to strengthen their communication and plan for their future.

Whatever your goals may be, a licensed marriage and family therapist can help you address your concerns in an open, productive manner. They may implement one of the following types of therapy:

  • Imago Relationship Therapy explores how your childhood experiences shape your expectations in your adult romantic relationships. The ultimate goal is to promote growth and healing by recognizing and addressing unhealthy behaviors established in childhood.
  • The Gottman Method focuses on improving your affection, intimacy, and respect. It helps defend against defensiveness, criticism, contempt, and stonewalling.
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) examines the role your emotions play in your relationships. It seeks to repair your attachment to one another by addressing hurtful patterns within your relationship.

Therapy sessions may be extended or short-term. They may involve one or more of the above-listed forms of therapy and may also incorporate out-of-office activities and self-care practices.

Are you ready to begin your own customized journey with a licensed couples counselor? Set up an appointment with us at Thriveworks in West Des Moines, IA.

Speak With a Marriage or Couples Counselor in West Des Moines, IA

At Thriveworks, our providers are available to speak with you either in person or remotely. If you choose remote appointments, you can pick between video or phone call appointments and get the benefits of therapy without even visiting our office.

Whichever type of appointment you choose, we offer evening and weekend availability as well as a flexible cancellation policy. Your provider can even be reached by email or phone between sessions, as needed. We accept different insurance providers and can often make ourselves available for same-day or next-day appointments.

When you’re ready to take the first step, we’re here to help. We’ve helped countless others improve their relationships, and we would love to help you improve yours, too. Give us a call today at Thriveworks in West Des Moines, IA to get started.

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 West Des Moines therapists and counselors accept 19 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

  • JP Farley Corporation

  • Medicare IA

  • Midlands Choice

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Self-pay costs at West Des Moines
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 West Des Moines has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in Iowa.

4.5 Thriveworks West Des Moines 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 in West Des Moines, IA is located at 7205 Vista Dr Suite 100, West Des Moines, IA 50266, near the Fairfield Inn & Suites and Kum & Go.

Phone number

(515) 219-4986

Languages spoken by IA 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 CT

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 CT

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