Choosing the Best Couples Counseling Services

Finding the right therapist can feel daunting, especially when facing challenges in your relationship. There are several types of therapists, each with unique qualifications and training.

Psychiatrists: While psychiatric doctors have extensive training in diagnosing mental health disorders, they are less likely to provide couples counseling services.

Experience

Couples therapy is a powerful and intimate experience. During treatment, couples gain insight into the dynamics causing relationship issues and learn to communicate healthier.

A highly experienced therapist like those at Elevated Counseling will know how to help partners open up, express themselves effectively, and work through conflict healthily. They will also be able to provide constructive feedback and guide the couple out of unhealthy patterns with care and compassion.

Some therapists will use standard interview questions to determine the needs of each partner. At the same time, others may use guided couples activities and other modalities such as discerning counseling (also known as discernment therapy). A good therapist will find ways to balance all issues so that neither partner feels consistently sided against.

Reputation

In addition to choosing a therapist with experience treating couples, you also want to look for someone with a good reputation. This doesn’t necessarily mean they need to be licensed marriage and family therapists or have a particular therapeutic approach, but rather that they are known as a competent professional who works with couples.

Whether you’re getting premarital therapy to discuss expectations for your future together or you and your partner are looking for ways to work on communication issues, couple’s counseling can be a valuable investment in your relationship. Choosing the right therapist is important to get the most out of your therapy.

Ask friends and family for recommendations or search online to learn more about a potential therapist before you decide on one to work with. It’s also worth contacting a few counselors for a consultation interview to see how they feel working with couples.

Fees

There are a variety of reasons couples seek counseling, such as infidelity, feeling that they’re growing apart, unhealthy communication patterns, money issues, or problems in their sex life. Some couples struggle to decide about their future together, such as whether to stay in the relationship or go their separate ways.

Marriage therapy sessions can be expensive, but it’s important to shop around to find the best price for a session that fits you and your partner. Therapists typically make their fees known on their website or in the first phone call and can offer a sliding scale fee if necessary.

Most health insurance plans don’t cover couples therapy because they don’t qualify as a mental illness diagnosis, but some do. It’s also worth asking if the therapist has experience working with clients with your problem.

Insurance

Health insurance coverage for couples therapy is a complicated topic. Depending on the policy and therapist, some insurance providers may allow coverage for relationship counseling as long as it is related to an underlying mental health condition or behavioral health issue.

For example, suppose one partner in the couple has a mental health disorder like depression or anxiety, and the medical professional prescribes counseling as part of treatment. In that case, the insurer may cover the sessions. Generally, however, health insurance companies will not pay for couples therapy only for relationship issues alone.

Before booking appointments, contact your therapist and insurance provider to discuss payment options. Ask them whether they are in-network or out-of-network, and find out what CPT codes they use for billing and reimbursement.

Location

Whether you and your partner are struggling with miscommunication, feelings of disconnection, or external stressors, finding the right therapist can help you overcome these challenges. The therapist you choose can also provide support in repairing your relationship after infidelity or assisting couples to prepare for marriage.

A few types of couple therapy include de-escalating conflict, restructuring priorities, and consolidating core emotional experiences. Choosing the best therapist for your situation depends on your needs and logistical factors, such as availability and cost.

If you’re unsure where to start, online directories offer search features that allow you to narrow your choices by location, specialty, gender, language, and insurance. Additionally, therapists may have an online presence through their practice websites.