The Best Tools And Resources For Locating Couples Therapy In Your Area
Researchers estimate that approximately a third of intact couples are distressed, but less than 15% of intact couples seek therapy. The journey through life together is seldom without its challenges, and sometimes it's necessary to seek professional guidance to navigate complex emotional landscapes. After all, even the most harmonious duets need a conductor.
Here, we aim to demystify the process of seeking couples therapy, ensuring that those who need support feel empowered to find it. We'll explore the types of couples therapy available, offer practical advice on identifying the right kind of therapy for you and your partner and provide a roadmap for effectively communicating your needs to your prospective therapist.
You may feel overwhelmed by this journey but armed with the right information and resources, you'll be well-equipped to start a transformative chapter in your relationship. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness but rather of strength. When you embrace the opportunity to fortify your bond, grow together, and carve out a path that leads to mutual happiness, you can actively build a better future for your relationship.
Understanding couples therapy
Couples therapy is an effective method for maintaining and improving the quality of your romantic relationship. Whether you're facing a significant issue or just looking to deepen your connection, couples therapy can offer valuable insights and support.
As a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the unique dynamics between two people in a romantic relationship, couples therapy aims to identify conflict areas, improve communication, and foster a deeper understanding of each other's needs and desires.
A trained therapist can help couples navigate through challenges and develop healthier patterns of interaction, ultimately leading to more satisfying relationships. There are several approaches to couples therapy, each with its own set of techniques and philosophies.
Here are some of the most popular methods:
The Gottman method
Developed by Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman, this evidence-based approach focuses on this evidence-based approach focuses on nine essential elements of a healthy relationship known as the "Sound Relationship House." These components include trust, commitment, and emotional connection.
The Gottman Method emphasizes building a strong foundation by addressing each aspect of the relationship and teaching couples specific tools for managing conflict and enhancing intimacy.
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)
Created by Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT is based on attachment theory and helps couples understand and change their emotional responses to one another. The goal is to strengthen the emotional bond between partners by identifying and addressing unmet needs and negative interaction patterns.
EFT also encourages couples to express their feelings of emotional vulnerability and create new, healthier interactions that promote trust and intimacy.
Imago relationship therapy (IRT)
Developed by Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt, IRT is based on the theory that all relationships are basically an attempt to recreate what individuals experienced in childhood — for better or worse. IRT aims to help couples understand the unconscious dynamics that shape their interactions, create greater empathy and understanding, and discover new solutions to problems.
IRT also teaches communication skills such as active listening and validation so that partners can better express their needs and feelings. Through these techniques, couples can better understand how their pasts shape their present relationship.
Systems theory
Systems theory views relationships as a complex system requiring balance and equilibrium to thrive. It focuses on how two individuals interact and the impact of their interactions on one another.
This approach encourages couples to consider their relationship an entity that needs to be managed and maintained. Systems theory also explores each partner's roles in the system, such as decision-maker or nurturer, and how those roles can be adjusted to create a more harmonious partnership.
While many relationship experience ups and downs, some situations may warrant professional support. Couples therapy might be needed if you:
Experience frequent arguments or misunderstandings
Feel emotionally distant or disconnected from your partner
Struggle with trust issues or infidelity
Face major life transitions or stressors that impact your relationship
Desire to deepen your emotional connection and improve overall relationship satisfaction
Regardless of your specific challenges, couples therapy can provide a supportive and non-judgmental space to explore your concerns and work toward lasting change. By exploring various therapeutic approaches and recognizing when professional support may be needed, couples can take the first step toward a stronger and healthier partnership.
Identifying your needs
Before you search for a therapist, it's important to honestly assess your challenges and needs. For example, are you struggling with communication or intimacy? Do you need help making decisions together as a couple, or do you need individualized guidance? Are there certain techniques or philosophies that resonate more strongly with you?
Asking yourself these questions will help you narrow your search and determine which type of couples therapy might be most beneficial for you. You can also talk to your partner about the concerns you're both experiencing and decide together which approach might be best.
Your needs as an individual may also be an important factor to consider. For example, if you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or past trauma, these can all play a role in your relationship and should be addressed. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, individual therapy may be needed in addition to couples' work.
As a couple, your needs may change over time, so it's important to be open and honest about where you are in your relationship. Transparency will help you find a therapist to best meet your needs and provide support tailored to your specific circumstances.
How to make the most of couples therapy
Once you've identified your challenges and needs, the next step is finding a therapist to help. Therapists come in all shapes and sizes, so it's important to research before deciding.
Here are some tips for finding the right therapist:
Checking their credentials: Any potential therapist should be licensed and have adequate experience providing couples therapy. You can check the therapist's credentials through their professional website or read reviews from former clients.
Considering their specialties: Couples therapy includes different therapeutic techniques and philosophies, so it's important to find a therapist who specializes in the approach that you're most comfortable with. For example, if you are looking for a psychodynamic or experiential approach, your therapist should have experience in these areas.
Gauging their availability: Your therapist's availability is another important factor. Are they able to provide appointments that fit within your schedule? Are you comfortable talking with them on the phone or via video chat? These are all important questions to ask yourself before selecting a therapist.
The right therapist for you should feel like a safe and supportive space to discuss your relationship concerns and work toward meaningful change. However, if you feel the therapist isn't a good fit, don't be afraid to move on and find another one.
To make the most of your therapy sessions, it's important to be prepared. While preparation may look different for each couple, you can take a few key steps to ensure that your sessions are productive and effective.
Setting realistic expectations and goals can help keep you both motivated and focused during the course of therapy. If you take time before each session to talk about what you would like to work on and agree on the session's goals, this can be a helpful way to stay focused.
It's also important to come into each session with an open mind and willingness to learn about yourself and your partner. While it can be difficult, actively listening and being aware of your thoughts and feelings is key for progress in therapy. When both partners are open to feedback and use it to grow, this can make a huge difference in the therapy outcome.
Finally, it's important to remember that therapy is not a "quick fix." Progress can take time, and it's important to be patient and consistent in your sessions. If you find that one session isn't as helpful or productive as you had hoped, don't give up — keep coming back and stay committed to the process.
Making the most of couples therapy involves a commitment from both partners. However, by preparing, staying open-minded, and putting in the effort needed to make progress, you may develop a stronger connection that can overcome the challenges you're facing.
Online therapy can provide a convenient and accessible way to access quality couples therapy, no matter where you are. An online therapist can provide the same level of care and expertise as an in-person therapist, with additional benefits such as flexibility and convenience. Your therapist can provide evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you and your partner overcome challenges.
Clinical research indicates CBT for couples has strong empirical support for resolving relationship problems. As a modality of online therapy, CBT can help you and your partner learn to communicate more effectively, understand each other's perspectives, and develop better problem-solving skills.
Takeaway
Embarking on a couples therapy journey with your partner can be a meaningful way to strengthen your relationship and address any underlying issues. Selecting the right therapist and preparing for each session can help set you and your partner up for success as you work towards a more fulfilling relationship.
Online therapy can be an effective way to access quality couples therapy. By harnessing the power of evidence-based techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, both you and your partner can become better equipped to work through any challenges that come your way.
Frequently asked questions (FAQS)
How much does a couples therapist cost?
The cost of couples therapy will vary on several factors, such as the provider you see, but it can span up to around $250.00 or more per session in the absence of insurance. That said, many people can't cover that amount, and there are a wide variety of cost-effective solutions for those in a position where they cannot cover the cost in full. Online counseling is far more affordable, with plans on websites like ReGain starting at as low as $60/session. You may also consider seeing a provider who offers affordable or sliding scale rates. You can also search online for "sliding scale therapy near me." If you have to an employee assistance program through your job, that is another option.
What is the best therapy for couples?
Several excellent and well-researched couples therapy forms are known to be successful modalities of support and treatment for couples. Emotionally focused therapy, or EFT, for example, has a very high success rate. If you are seeking couples therapy, emotionally focused therapy is an excellent option to try. Statistics indicate that 90% of couples who received EFT benefited from it, and 70-75% moved into relationship recovery.
The Gottman Method is another well-known form of couples therapy with a high success rate. While these modalities differ, they're both advantageous for couples. That said, it's hard to say what the "best couples therapy" modality is because the best couples therapy will vary from couple to couple. The best couples therapy for you will depend largely on you and your partner or spouse as well as what you're looking for.
Not only will one type of couples therapy resonate with you more than others in many cases, but different providers will resonate with different people, so if you don't think that the first therapist or counselor you see is someone who can help you and your partner with what you're going through, it's important to switch so that you can get the help that you need. The same is true for different modalities. Also, consider that different providers have different specialties and that some focus on specific demographics to provide care that's more catered to clients they see.
Is couples therapy covered by health insurance?
In most cases, couples therapy is not covered by health insurance. However, there are some scenarios where insurance may cover your sessions with a provider for couples counseling. To lower the therapy cost you pay, you may consider seeing a couples therapist online. You might be asking, “Where can I find an affordable marriage counseling near me? and family therapist near me?” You may also search for a provider such as a marriage and family therapist in your area who offers couples counseling at a sliding scale rate or use other methods to help cover your therapy cost, such as an employee assistance program. Community centers and religious institutions such as churches are other options.
How do I find a good couples therapist?
The best couples therapist will vary from couple to couple, and there are various ways to find a good fit for you. First, make sure that you always see a licensed provider such as a marriage and family therapist who is authorized to practice in your state.
Marriage and family therapists don't just offer couples counseling and family therapy; they see individuals in some cases. Make sure to find someone who takes couples for clients. It can help look into a provider's specialty, which refers to something that a specific provider, whether a marriage and family therapist or someone with another title, specializes in. If you know what you want, make it clear in your search.
What to do when you can't afford couples therapy?
There are various options if you want to see a provider for marriage and family therapy, couples counseling, individual counseling, or any other counseling form. Here are some ways to see someone for marriage and family therapy, couples counseling, individual counseling, or even group counseling for free or for a more affordable cost:
- Go to a community center with licensed providers for counseling.
- Call your insurance company and see who they cover in your area.
- If applicable, check with a religious institution to see if they have any resources.
- See someone who offers clients a sliding scale rate.
- Look into scholarships or vouchers for marriage and family therapy or counseling.
- Call 211 and see if they know of any resources in your area.
- Try an online counseling site with marriage and family therapists like ReGain that offers affordable payment options.
How much is the average therapy session?
Seeing a provider such as a licensed marriage and family therapist for marriage and family therapy or a couples therapy typically costs somewhere from $150.00 to $200.00 or more if you do not have insurance covering part of your therapy cost. According to the National Directory of Marriage and Family Counseling, the average cost per session is $100.00. If you have insurance and see a provider such as a marriage and family therapist, a licensed professional counselor, or a licensed clinical social worker who takes your insurance, you will only have to pay a copay, which will lower the amount you spend out of pocket, often significantly. Some mental health professionals offer sliding scale rates, work at clinics that provide clients with affordable options, or take Medicaid, which may cover the cost of therapy in full. Online counseling is another affordable option.
Is it worth going to couples counseling?
Many people who see a couple of therapists find that it's worth it, and there are studies to show it. People may attend marriage and family therapy, couples counseling, individual counseling, and so on for a variety of reasons. Couples counseling, in particular, can help couples with a number of concerns, including but not limited to trouble with communication, infidelity, understanding, stress, connection, and so much more. It also helps if you're in a more specific relationship, such as a d/s relationship.
Can couples counseling save relationships?
With statistics to show it, couples counseling has a high success rate and can indeed save relationships. Again, many couples who see a provider such as a marriage and family therapist benefit from it. If the first provider you see for marriage and family therapy, individual counseling, or any other form of counseling isn't the best fit, don't be afraid to take steps to switch or find someone else.
It's natural that not every provider will be the best couples therapist for every couple, so consider narrowing your search when looking for a provider to include the specific attributes you're looking for, switching providers if you need to, or are using an online therapy website with licensed providers such as marriage and family therapist who use a questionnaire like the one on ReGain to help you find the best marriage counselor for you.
To find a provider or if you want to know how to check if a therapist is licensed, you may search the web for providers offering marriage and family therapy, get a referral to someone who practices marriage and family therapy, or sign up for an online therapy company that works with licensed providers.
What percentage of couples who go to therapy stay together?
According to the American Association of Marriage and family therapists, the new approaches to marriage counseling have an overall success rate of 98%. The accomplishment of couples therapy contributes to a decreasing rate of divorce cases in the US. Often, couples get so busy taking care of their children and finding means to achieve a better future for their family without realizing that they lose touch with who they really are deep down inside. When every day looks the same, one may think, “I don’t know who I am anymore.” Sometimes, this emotion may affect the marriage, among many other reasons. Seeking the help of professionals may help you and your partner regain yourselves and save your relationship.
What is the difference between couples counseling and therapy?
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