Deciding to go to couples counseling is a big decision. Two people have to agree that it’s a path they’d like to try together, and once this happens, a couple needs to find a therapist that works for both of them. This process isn’t always easy, so here are some tips on how to find a couples therapist that’s right for you.
How do you find a couples therapist or marriage counselor?
When you begin your search to find a couples therapist, you may or may not want to go through your insurance company.
Some couples therapists will only accept certain insurance plans, so you can start by checking with the couples therapists that your insurance company covers in your area.
This can help you narrow down your search and gain a better understanding of how much your insurance company will cover.
However, if you’re not going through your insurance company, you can start with an online search for “a couples therapist near me”.
This will likely lead to a long list of results. You can try to filter these results by deciding if you and your partner prefer a couples therapist that’s located close to your home or work, a male therapist or a female therapist, an older or younger therapist, or any other preference that can help you both feel comfortable beginning couples therapy.
How long have they been practicing couples therapy?
Once you choose your new potential couples therapist, it’s always a good idea to ask how much experience they have.
Some partners feel completely comfortable with a couples therapist that doesn’t have much experience but brings a fresh perspective to the table.
Others may want to see a couples therapist that has decades of experience coaching couples through a wide range of conflicts and personal issues.
Either way, you have to aim for what feels right for you and your partner, but asking about their experience, education, training, and preferred counseling methods can be helpful.
Do they have experience working with couples facing challenges like yours?
Sometimes couples choose to finally go to therapy because there’s a long list of problems that have been building up over the years, while others will choose to seek out a couples therapist because they need help getting through a specific circumstance.
For instance, a couple may choose to see a therapist because their child is going off to college and they’re dealing with an empty nest for the first time. Someone may have a partner that is struggling with an addiction.
Couples dealing with infidelity may need a special kind of support. The point is, it’s perfectly okay to ask if your therapist has experience working with couples facing challenges like yours.
They may have tools and techniques that have proven to work with other relationships that can help you and your partner build a foundation for success.
What are the benefits of online couples therapy?
You and your partner may consider finding a couples therapist that offers online sessions. There are a lot of benefits of seeing an online couples therapist.
Many couples find the online realm to be convenient. When trying to coordinate schedules, sometimes it can be easier to join a video call with you, your partner, and your couples therapist instead of driving to appointments.
In addition, some couples feel more comfortable having a therapy session in the comfort of their own home or office, which can help some patients open up, accept support, and commit to the process.
Since online therapy has proven to be just as effective as in-person therapy, couples aren’t sacrificing any major elements or benefits of therapy by choosing to do it online.
How much does couples therapy cost?
The cost of couples therapy will vary. As mentioned above, some couples will choose to go through their insurance company to pay for therapy, while others will pay out of pocket.
The price of couples therapy will also be different depending on the couples therapist you choose.
Some with higher degrees and more experience may charge more than a couple’s therapist that’s just building their practice.
The cost of each session should be discussed at the initial consultation so couples feel comfortable with the price before they begin their couples counseling journey.