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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Independent Social Worker - Clinical Practice (LISW-CP)
Sarah:
My go-to approach for helping those seeking couples/marriage counseling is to find out what motivated them to make the initial appointment and to understand their individual and shared goals for therapy. I find great benefit in taking this a step further by looking more closely at the four foundations of a successful relationship: communication, friendship, intimacy, and shared values. During intake, or as a take-home exercise, both individuals will complete a short survey that we will go over together in the first session. I make sure to inform them that even if the scores are low, that does not mean they will fail — they are in counseling after all! We will look at the lower scores and practice communicating to their partner what they could be doing more/less of for that number to increase. I also enjoy providing individualized methods, practices, and tools to use outside of the office. I will also explore their attachment styles together, with the shared goal of forming a secure attachment with healthy communication, respect, and enjoying spending time with their partner.
Ebony:
My go-to approach for helping people in couples/marriage counseling is establishing boundaries within communication to process your partner’s thoughts and feelings to inappropriate reactions and comments. I find the best benefit in establishing boundaries because it helps partners establish foundations to address disagreements and resolve issues that occur.
Sarah:
I teach clients “communication 101,” where we practice active listening and asking clarifying questions to our partner. Too often we mind-read, make assumptions, and react or respond to our partner as if our interpretation was fact. I also enjoy teaching partners how to be on the same “team,” parenting skills, reconnection, and how to validate our partner's feelings even when we do not agree. My 24-hour rule to build trust is also often used. This is where one person can call the other out for shutting down, or for being too reactive during a “hot topic” conversation. The partners will agree to table the conversation for now but choose an exact time (i.e. 3:30 pm) that is within 24 hours. Anxious-attached partners will be happy that this will be addressed the next day, avoidant-attached partners will be happy that they have more time to think about what to say, and things will inevitably be calmer at that time. This is also a simple way to build trust when both partners show up at the agreed-upon time.
Ebony: I teach the following tools in couples/marriage counseling:
Sarah:
I know that a client is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when they are able to share how they have been using therapy tools at home and are able to compliment their partner on the progress they have seen in them as well. I look for my clients to validate their partner's opinions and feelings respectfully, even if they do not agree. I observe the clients being more kind to one another and reporting back on good memories/quality time being prioritized again. The best couples are those that can problem solve together, without combat.
Ebony:
I know a client is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when there are more small gestures of appreciation within the day-to-day routine to decrease stressors for their partner and/or increase motivation.
Sarah:
Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling with individual therapy. Many couples come into relationships with relational trauma from the past and/or other unresolved personal traumas. While we will be able to address these in some form during our time together, couples counseling will be focused mostly on the goals of the two of them as a couple. Many couples report significant progress in their partners when they are attending individual therapy on the side. I also always bring up self-care outside of counseling. Self-care is very important for any relationship. Having individual, healthy hobbies and activities and socializing outside of just the marriage or relationship is important.
Ebony:
Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling by continuing to date each other and engage in activities together to see how you and your partner are changing in the process. Dating and doing activities together gives you motivation to continue working on current issues and remind yourself of the relationship you can have.
Sarah:
To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, you can begin thinking about what goals you hope to work toward throughout our time together. If comfortable at this stage, you can also talk to your partner about their goals, and see if there are some shared goals you both want to be sure to share with me. After we go over the background information during the intake session, we will discuss what motivated you both to make and attend the session, take a look at what has been going on, and address what you both want to see change or improve. I will save the initial goals in your secure chart, and we will look back at them from time to time to see our progress.
Ebony:
To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, you can provide grace to each other to express thoughts and feelings in a safe space to address root issues. The first session can come with nervousness and uncertainty about how your partner will respond. Give each other the chance to identify concerns to know where to start to improve.
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:
The types of therapy used in couples and marriage counseling include:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One of the main reasons people seek couples therapy and marriage counseling is for help with their closest, most intimate relationships. While couples therapy tends to be viewed as something for relationships in crisis, there are many reasons that individuals in relationships pursue it. Whether the reasons are large or small, they deserve to be explored and improved upon.
Couples therapy and marriage counseling at Thriveworks Charleston has helped many couples with a variety of issues. These qualified therapists help their clients learn new insights, improve cognitive and emotional skills, as well as adopt new habits that can have a huge impact on their lives and relationships. The couples therapists and marriage counselors at Thriveworks Charleston can guide couples toward better relationships. If this sounds like something you’re interested in or could benefit from, give us a call at (843) 480-4034 to schedule a couples therapy or marriage counseling appointment.
Throughout our relationships, there may be small conflicts that arise every now and then. In other cases, there may be large issues that appear or prove to be monumental. Each scenario can be explored with the help of a professional therapist who can guide couples through the “bumps in the road” or the seemingly overwhelming roadblocks. Some of the most common issues couples experience are:
The foundation of all relationships, communication can be face to face, over the phone, text messaging, and social media. Counselors can teach couples how to communicate with each other in positive ways. The type of communication people experience while growing up strongly affects how they communicate in adult relationships. Thriveworks Charleston can help couples to adapt a communication style that works well instead of falling back on problematic habits they learned in their past.
Sexuality is complex and personal, entailing more than just sexual activity. An individual’s personal definition of sexuality may include feelings of attraction toward another, how they choose to be intimate, and feelings relating to body image and personal values. There are as many individual expressions of sexuality as there are preferences for music. When individuals experience confusion or distress about aspects of sexuality–anxiety, embarrassment, anger and hurt–counselors at Thriveworks Charleston can be of great help and act as your support system.
One of the most hurtful and damaging experiences a couple undergoes is infidelity, but it doesn’t mean the relationship is beyond repair or has to end. In couples therapy or marriage counseling, individuals have a safe place to begin the journey toward resolving the issue. Experienced therapists at Thriveworks in Charleston, SC can help find meaningful and practical ways to work through the rough waters of unfaithfulness.
These examples are only a few of the many issues couples may experience in their marriage. Whether couples experience a few ups and downs or a seemingly unsurmountable issue, there is help. Consider working with a couples therapist or marriage counselor at Thriveworks Charleston.
Call Thriveworks Charleston at (843) 480-4034 to schedule a session or to find out more about how couples therapy and marriage counseling can improve your relationship. When you call to set up your appointment, a scheduling specialist will help you find the right counselor, psychologist, or therapist for you. Additionally, they will assist you in finding an appointment day and time that works for you and your partner. We have extended hours in the evenings and on the weekends.
We look forward to working with you and your partner! Schedule an appointment at Thriveworks Charleston when you feel ready. We’ll be here.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Friday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Saturday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:00pm |
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Friday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Saturday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:30pm |
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