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1,598 people sought couples therapy help at Chapel Hill in the last year

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

Meet with a therapist as soon as this week

23  therapists available in Chapel Hill

Cornelius

As a Black millennial therapist, I help individuals and couples of color who are exhausted from carrying the weight of everything ...

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Charlotte

As a clinician who has served in children, family, relationship, and adult services for over 20 years and clinical practice for ov...

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Cornelius

As a counselor with over 20 years of experience and as a person who has struggled with anxiety and depression, I am passionate abo...

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Charlotte

Having experienced close family loss and living with a learning disability, I deeply understand how life’s challenges can weigh he...

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Raleigh

As someone who lost 100lbs, I understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle by having healthy hobbies in your life ...

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Raleigh

I am a trauma survivor as well as a military veteran, and I am dedicated to being the best therapist I can be, which means providi...

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Greensboro

As a Black woman clinical mental health counselor and community care provider, I create space with clients, especially those carry...

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Cary

As a West African immigrant fluent in two cultures, with over 10 years of experience across medical, administrative, and behaviora...

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Durham

I approach therapy with empathy, openness, and a deep respect for each person's unique experiences to support you in exploring you...

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Cornelius

As a widowed, working mother of 3, I understand the value of time and the importance of individuality when treating clients, along...

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Winston-Salem

Betsy Servis is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) who has worked with community mental health for 25 years in v...

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Winston-Salem

As a person-centered therapist, I strive to provide a welcoming environment for all my clients based on unconditional positive reg...

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Winston-Salem

I’ve personally struggled with mental health challenges, so I truly understand the journey of growth and transformation....

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Raleigh

As a self-proclaimed “Steward of the Worker Bee,” I am dedicated to guiding and building healthy professionals by transforming the...

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Raleigh

Hi, my name is Kisha and I am proud of you for starting your counseling journey. As a woman of color and a proud LGBTQI+ ally, I r...

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Charlotte

As a woman of color, I am familiar with identity, cultural diversity, inclusion/exclusion, and integration issues....

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Raleigh

I know that life can feel overwhelming at times, but you don’t have to face it alone—I’m here to help you uncover your strengths, ...

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Wilmington

As a therapist with decades of varied experience, it is my goal to honor the dignity and value of my clients while collaborating w...

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Charlotte

I am a strength-based professional who will be your personal cheerleader for your emotional growth and healing!...

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Fayetteville

As a wife, mother, daughter, and therapist, I understand the challenges and stressors that may accompany the various roles we play...

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Cary

As a woman of color with over 20 years of lived experiences, I understand the varied life cycle events – family, career and indivi...

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Durham

Tomeka A Bridges is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with over 17 years of experience helping clients of all ag...

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Raleigh

I believe in treating the whole person as I assist you through your journey in this wellness process....

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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.

Starting Couples therapy in Chapel Hill

What is couples therapy?

Thriveworks Couples therapy helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. It is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy include:

  • Jealousy
  • Trust issues
  • Infidelity
  • Opposing values
  • Different visions for the future
  • Disagreements in parenting
  • Lack of trust
  • Financial distress
  • Sex issues

How does couples therapy work?

Couples therapy works by helping couples identify and better navigate their unique challenges. Following an initial assessment of the couple in terms of strengths and needs, the therapist would then discuss their therapeutic goals and any possible approaches or ways of working together as therapist and couple.
Couples attend sessions together, whether they meet in person or by video. In addition to regular couples therapy sessions, each partner may also be asked to attend a few individual sessions to supplement their progress. This will allow their counselor to get to know each individual better, assess each of their personal needs, and develop the very best treatment plan moving forward.

Is couples therapy conducted in person or online?

Couples therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.

How long does couples therapy last?

On average, couples attend couples therapy for 12 weeks. However, couples therapy may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.

Need more help deciding?

Couples Therapy in Chapel Hill, NC—Relationship Help from a Couples Therapist

Many times, giving your all to the relationship looks like asking a therapist or counselor to guide you and your partner through rough waters. Couples therapy can be a safe place for partners to grow personally and within the relationship. It may also be a place where couples can transition their relationship to a friendship in a peaceable and amicable way.

The counselors and therapists at Thriveworks Counseling in Chapel Hill work hard to make couples therapy a safe place for each partner. Many couples have found our staff an invaluable aid as they explored their relationship. No one can predict the future, but the professionals at Thriveworks have helped many couples grow stronger as individuals and as partners. Reach out today for help.

Couples Therapy and Common Relationship Problems

Psychologist Dr. John Gottman famously studied couples and whether their relationships would persist. In his decades of research, he identified four relationship problems that are particularly toxic. The called these The Four Horsemen, and they are criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling. When these are present in a relationship, the couple will often end their relationship. Here is what they look like in a relationship:

  • Criticism — Partners can voice a complaint or a critique in a respectful way, but criticism attacks the person. For example, a respectful complaint would be, “I felt nervous when I saw money had been withdrawn from our account, and I did not know what the money was used for.” A criticism looks like, “you are so irresponsible with our finances. Do you want to ruin us?” Can you hear the difference? It is the difference between partners solving a problem together, and partners being on opposite sides of a conflict.
  • Defensiveness — When a partner uses excuses to answer a respectful criticism, then this is defensiveness. Instead of accepting responsibility for one’s actions like an adult, defensiveness puts responsibility upon circumstances and other people. For example, when one partner asks another whether they have scheduled an oil change for the car, the partner responds with defensiveness when they say, “This day has been terrible. How can you expect me to take care of that now?” Instead, a humble response would say, “I told you I would take care of that errand, and I did not. I’m sorry. It will be my priority tomorrow.”
  • Contempt — Being mean and disrespectful to a partner is acting with contempt. When one partner communications that they are smarter or better or richer or anything more than their partner, this is contempt because it also communicates that the partner is less than. In real life, contempt looks like sarcasm, eye-rolls, put-downs, mocking, and more. Dr. Gottman identifies contempt as the most dangerous horseman to any relationship.
  • Stonewalling — Denial, minimization, and withdrawal are all signs of stonewalling. When partners remove themselves from conflict instead of working together, this is stonewalling. Partners may not respond to each other, honoring each other’s needs and requests.

If you recognize any of these horsemen in your relationship, know that couples can change. They can learn new, healthier ways to relate. How?

Why Start Couples Therapy?

Skilled therapists can help couples identify the toxic patterns in their relationship and teach them coping and conflict skills they need to relate to each other in a healthy way. Here are a few of the ways that counselors may help couples:

  • Building Appreciation — Couples can learn to see their partner for who they are and appreciate their strengths.
  • Accepting Personal Responsibility — Strong couples are made of strong individuals. Each person needs to accept responsibility for their own choices, actions, and attitudes.
  • Self-Care — When each partner learns when they need breaks and how to care for their unique emotional and physical needs, the couple often flourishes.
  • Use “I” Statements — Instead of attacking a partner, explain one’s own experiences with “I” statements. For example, “I was scared… I was disappointed… I was frustrated.”

Scheduling Couples Counseling at Thriveworks in Chapel Hill, NC

If your relationship is going through a challenging time, know that you are not alone. Many couples face difficult seasons, and many couples come through those seasons stronger as individuals and as partners. Many partners lean upon a couples therapist during that time. The counselors at Thriveworks offer couples therapy, and they have appointments available. When you call our office, you and your partner may have your first appointment within the week. We also offer evening and weekend appointments, and we accept many forms of insurance.

Let’s work for a healthier relationship. Call our office today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 360+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Chapel Hill accept 27 insurance plans

  • Adventist Health Associates | Employee Health Plan

  • Adventist Health Associates | Non-Employee Health Plan

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina | BCBS Medicare Advantage

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Compsych

  • Devoted Health | Medicare Advantage

  • Firefly Health Plan | Cigna PPO Network

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Chapel Hill
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

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Hear from our clients

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★
Dr. Brooks is always own time and always gives me the opportunity for questions. He has given very sound advice. He makes me feel comfortable during sessions.
Christopher Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I saw Bonnie Kell and she is very easy to talk with. She makes you feel relaxed during the session & has interesting suggestions to try from session to session. One thing though when I sign on if I sign in more than 5 minutes early it will sign me back out & I have to sign in again, that needs some improvement. I try to show up early or on time, I do not like to rush to get onto the appointment time.
Read more I saw Bonnie Kell and she is very easy to talk with. She makes you feel relaxed during the session & has interesting suggestions to try from session to session. One thing though when I sign on if I sign in more than 5 minutes early it will sign me back out & I have to sign in again, that needs some improvement. I try to show up early or on time, I do not like to rush to get onto the appointment time.
Pamela Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Alex is extremely professional and approachable, understanding, and non-judgemental. I feel like she hears me and actually understands what I'm trying to say. Alex is easy to contact outside of sessions, and I feel like my symptoms have been improving since we started working together.
Read more Alex is extremely professional and approachable, understanding, and non-judgemental. I feel like she hears me and actually understands what I'm trying to say. Alex is easy to contact outside of sessions, and I feel like my symptoms have been improving since we started working together.
Mariah Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I found Thriveworks a year or so ago in hopes to find therapy that I could attend virtually. It was a great experience getting to look through different provider profiles and find someone that would be the best fit. I find a ton value in my sessions and feel very supported by my provider.
Read more I found Thriveworks a year or so ago in hopes to find therapy that I could attend virtually. It was a great experience getting to look through different provider profiles and find someone that would be the best fit. I find a ton value in my sessions and feel very supported by my provider.
Trevor Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
I enjoy everything. Very helpful
Julie Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My growth over the past year and a half through the guidance of my provider has left me in a much healthier and happier place. I have learned to create boundaries and allow myself to not be perfect.
Melissa Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
I wish there were more in person options in my town. But I have really liked the therapists I've talked to over the years
Margaret Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Very helpful for directing how to cope and live with my symptoms. Very nice people!!
Wesley Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
8 of 32 reviews

Where to find us

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Address

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1516 E Franklin St Suite 200 Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Chapel Hill is located near the corner of Franklin Street and Estes Drive. We currently share a building with Select Physical Therapy, Child Trends, and Grupo Gransolar, among other businesses. When you turn off of Franklin Street, to get to our office, you will pass Avance Care Chapel Hill.

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Phone number

(919) 642-1031
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Languages spoken by NC providers

  • English
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Hours

Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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

Shown in ET

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