Couples Counseling Cost - Factors to Consider

What's The Cost Of Couples Counseling?

There is a common misconception that only couples on the brink of breaking up need counseling. It is not uncommon for a couple to be doing well, only to find themselves in a crisis, and counseling can make a huge positive difference. There are many reasons that a couple may seek out help from a licensed therapist. Maybe a problem occurs with one of the children and the couple's struggles to co-parent, the illness or death of a parent, financial stresses, or sudden increase in conflict. Some couples may find that they have trouble communicating their needs or feel that they've lost the chemistry they used to share.

Many therapists say that couples often wait too long to seek help. It isn't uncommon for an initial couples counseling session to start with, "we are seriously considering divorce but want to say we've tried everything." Though, understandably, a significant strain on your relationship may be the first time you consider therapy, seeking a couples counselor before issues escalate to this level can be incredibly beneficial. Learning how to communicate with your partner, create goals together and healthily approach conflicts can build a strong foundation for your future.

Many couples can benefit from couples counseling to address difficult issues in the relationship and learn skills for managing conflict. Having an unbiased third party to mediate, offer feedback, and create a safe space to talk about difficult topics can be extremely helpful and effective. There are many things to consider before starting counseling, and a big one may be the cost of couples counseling.

While many insurance plans cover individual counseling, couples counseling is not always covered, and paying out of pocket can be daunting. The good news is that there are plenty of affordable counseling options out there, and many therapists also offer a sliding scale rate. Investing in your relationship can lead to long-lasting benefits that will greatly impact the overall health of your relationship.

Though carving out time in your schedule to speak with a therapist may feel inconvenient at first, that time together can significantly strengthen your bond. Many couples are turning to online therapy to speak to a therapist from the comfort of their home. Online therapists often have more flexible hours that can work for you and your partner's schedule and offer more affordable rates than in-person counselors.

What To Expect From Couples Counseling

It's normal to want to seek out support from the people we love when we're going through tough times, but it's important to be mindful in doing so. Though friends and family can offer you free advice, they are not unbiased and will come into the conversation with preconceived ideas and opinions. They also are not trained to help couples gain key skills such as conflict resolution, communication, and mediation. Furthermore, if your loved ones know about the complicated issues within your relationship, it can cause rifts between them and whoever they feel is at fault in the situation.

One of the most important things that a therapist does is create a safe place to discuss the relationship nonjudgmentally. By opening up the conversation to feel good for both people in the relationship, honest and effective communication can occur. Your therapist is also trained in helping you find solutions rather than dwell on who is "right" or "wrong." If both people in the relationship commit to this process with an open heart, they can come of it with a better understanding of how to handle conflict as a team.

Your therapist may also give you feedback and things to try at home. A relationship problem cannot be fixed in one hour a week, and it may take patience and effort to make significant changes. By working on the new skills learned in therapy throughout the week and between sessions, you can grow together as a couple. Though there may be times where things don't feel rocky in your relationship, continuing to attend therapy together can help you prevent future issues.

Many therapists specialize in different areas and have their particular way of working with patients. Take time to research before reaching out to a counselor to find the best fit for you and your partner. Many therapists do free consultations, which is an opportunity to express what you're looking for from therapy. These consultations can give you a better idea of how your therapist hopes to work with you and help you and your partner figure out if you think it will benefit you.

Even more important than the therapist's specialization is the connection between you, your partner, and your therapist. Good rapport, trust, and feeling safe and comfortable with your therapist are arguably as important as the therapist's background.

The Value Of Couples Counseling

Entering a romantic partnership with someone is a big commitment and can pose a set of challenges as time goes on. What can start feeling fulfilling can change, and you may realize your relationship is not what it once was. Relationships involve compromise, learning techniques, accepting flaws and faults, and being willing to make changes. Couples therapy can help reduce the damaging interactions between couples and change unhelpful cognitions, patterns, dynamics, and perceptions. It helps the couple cope with everyday life's ordinary and not-so-ordinary stresses by learning how to communicate, practicing new ways of speaking and listening, gaining ideas for increased intimacy, and learning conflict resolution.

Couples counseling also offers a dedicated time to talk about conflict outside of daily stresses. Sometimes issues get swept under the rug when we're busy, tired, or feel emotionally depleted. Through couples counseling, you can approach these topics with the support of a trained professional.

It's important to note that the success of counseling greatly depends on the willingness to learn from both parties. A relationship is a two-way street, and if you and your partner don't come to therapy ready, to be honest, little progress can be made. Though therapy may feel a little uncomfortable at first, the more you practice the tools you learn, the more seamless it will become.

Determining Couples Counseling Cost

Couples' counseling costs can vary greatly with the therapist depending on the geographic area and training and expertise. Some therapists charge more for couples work than they do for individual therapy because they have learned specialized skills for working with couples and because sessions might last longer than an individual counseling session. In general, counseling can range from around $75-250 per session. Online therapy is a more affordable option, which can be as low as $30 a session. That's a big difference!

If you financially can't afford weekly sessions, less frequent couples counseling sessions can still be incredibly effective. You can still learn new tools and build a foundation of trust with your therapist that helps you both feel comfortable. The more you and your partner are willing to put in effort between sessions, the more you will see the benefits.

Couples counseling is an investment for your life and your relationship. It's helpful to interview different therapists and make sure it feels like a safe fit for both. If you can get a recommendation from a friend or family member, that can also be helpful. It is also important to remember that if it doesn't work out with one therapist, don't get discouraged; find another better fit.

Online counseling, such as BetterHelp, can be a cost-effective option for couples counseling because BetterHelp not only offers affordable rates, but there are counselors available at times other than 9-5 Monday through Friday. You could have a video session in the privacy of your own home with your counselor. It can save money and reduce stress when the partners do not have to take time off work.

Conclusion

Couples therapy can be an effective and successful form of treatment as it creates a safe space to develop skills including communication, trust, goal planning, and conflict resolution. Speaking to a therapist can give you and your partner the chance to foster a healthy relationship that you both feel good in.

If your partner isn't willing to attend therapy sessions with you, individual therapy can also be helpful. Dealing with challenges in a romantic relationship can be draining, and finding ways to work through your emotions can help you express your needs to your partner. It's also possible that this will help you lead by example, and your partner will join you for a session when they feel ready.

If you and your partner are considering couples therapy, get started with BetterHelp today. It's never too soon or too late to communicate your needs, and doing so with a licensed therapist can help you both feel secure in doing so. With a little patience, kindness, and honesty, you can see long-lasting benefits that will impact your relationship in the best way.