http://Thriveworks%20Forbes%20Award%20Logo%20for%20Best%20Online%20Couples%20Therapy%20Services%20of%202024

686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting couples/marriage therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a therapist as soon as this week

14  therapists available in  Boston

Boston

Life can present challenges that take us by surprise and sometimes we just need a little help....

Read more
Framingham

Cheers to you for reaching out and prioritizing your mental health, overall wellness, and happiness! This is not always an easy st...

Read more
Cambridge

As a USAF veteran and psychotherapist, I bring both compassion and resilience to our work together, and I'm here to walk beside yo...

Read more
Attleboro

As an empathetic individual it is Tiffany's passion to help people of all kinds through therapeutic skill, technique and cultural ...

Read more
Boston

Life can be stressful, busy, and sometimes overwhelming, and I love helping people find their path forward....

Read more
Framingham

Courtney Council is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Master's in Clinical Mental Health and a second Master’s in the A...

Read more
Cambridge

I’ve had the privilege of working in a wide range of mental health settings, from substance abuse treatment facilities to crisis s...

Read more
Worcester

In consideration of a work-life balance, my work is very meaningful to me. I am culturally competent, evidence-based and think abo...

Read more
Lexington

I am grateful for the long life I’ve lived so far and hopeful for many more years. Through clients and coworkers, I’ve learned tha...

Read more
Westborough

I'll help you process, organize, and clarify your values and priorities to make choices and decisions that will help you accomplis...

Read more
Westborough

Providing an open and nonjudgmental environment allows us to develop an alliance that can result in building new skills or coping ...

Read more
Boston

As a lesbian-identified woman of color, I understand the unique issue of identity exploration....

Read more
Attleboro

I look forward to holding a safe space for clients to explore their current challenges....

Read more
Framingham

As an older woman with 30 years of clinical experience, I understand there are major hurdles for us to overcome, and that life, at...

Read more

Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.

Kayla Pena

Hear from Kayla Pena, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

View Kayla Pena's profile

What is your go-to approach for couples/marriage counseling?

I have limited experience with couples work, but I have worked with couples here at Thriveworks and I have seven years of experience in a previous job engaging in family therapy. My go-to approaches focus on communication-building skills/activities and positive psychology techniques. I found it helpful because it was a positive way to rebuild communication and strengthen relationships.

What tools do you teach in couples/marriage counseling?

I teach “fair fighting” rules, which consist of psychoeducation on how best to engage in conflict resolution in a relationship. The Fair Fighting Rules handout I provide describes the “rules of engagement” when it comes to disagreements. Instead of telling people they can't argue, fair fighting rules tell them how to do it safely and productively while exploring topics such as boundaries, warning signs, and techniques for handling disagreements.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling?

I know a client is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when they are reporting progress in sessions, as well as when I observe changes in their communication styles when bringing in difficult topics during sessions.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement couples/marriage counseling?

Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling by completing/reviewing the five love languages activity I provide, engaging in fair fighting rules, and having monthly check-ins about how they feel their relationship goals are/or are not progressing.

What should someone do to prepare for starting couples/marriage counseling?

To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, you can create a list, either separately or together (preferred), about important topics that would be helpful to process in future sessions.

Starting Couples/marriage therapy in Boston

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 therapy 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 therapy 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 accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.

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 therapists and counselors in Boston accept 24 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts | BCBS

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

  • Fallon Health | Medicare Advantage

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

  • Harvard Pilgrim

Show more
Self-pay costs at Boston
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

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
thank you for taking my insurance! i love how easy everything is; having an online portal for booking, viewing my schedule, etc is so great. thank you!
Ivy Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I mostly appreciate to have an amazing therapist.
Ella Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She made me a ease and was really nice
Sergine Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Very warm and accepting
Cassandra Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
all good. Zee is very helpful and I appreciate her accommodating my needs.
Joyce Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Everything has been well done so far and I've been at it almost a year. My therapist Melanie is great. All the stuff online works as well so hope this helps.
Sean Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She does an excellent job and she has helped me tremendously!
Denise Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Cassidy has been so helpful to me during almost four years of therapy. She has been instrumental in assisting me to process many difficult emotions. She is always kind and professional and has added so many insights. I couldn't have progressed without her help and I will be forever thankful and grateful that I have worked with her.
Read more Cassidy has been so helpful to me during almost four years of therapy. She has been instrumental in assisting me to process many difficult emotions. She is always kind and professional and has added so many insights. I couldn't have progressed without her help and I will be forever thankful and grateful that I have worked with her.
Jeanne Apr 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Boston is located on Water St. We share a building with The Boston Barbor Exchange, Vaanga Boston, PanIQ Escape Room Boston, and other businesses. We’re just a few blocks away from the waterfront.

Phone number

(617) 882-7447

Languages spoken by MA providers

  • English
  • Japanese
  • Farsi
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 12:01am - 11:59pm
Saturday 8:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in ET