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

My primary focus in couples counseling is often developing skills for positive, compassionate, and authentic communication. Active listening is an important part of a couple's communication to foster understanding and empathy. Additionally, conflict resolution strategies help couples navigate disagreements constructively, promoting collaboration and mutual respect. Positive communications help to develop a safe and supportive environment for vulnerability and emotional expression, allowing partners to work collaboratively towards strengthening their relationship.

What tools do you teach in couples/marriage counseling?

In addition to the focus on communication skills and the qualification of a couple's interactions, the following interventions are also used depending on the needs of the individuals: Mindfulness meditation or mindful activity involves learning to notice when the mind drifts, lets go of thinking, and returns focus to a predetermined word, phrase, image action, or sensory experience., Cognitive reframing is used to explore alternative perspectives., Cognitive challenging helps clients question their thoughts and beliefs in order to uncover patterns of thinking that are no longer helpful., Cognitive distraction gives clients the ability to move away from intrusive and unwanted thoughts., Sensation labeling is a mindfulness technique that assists with disrupting unwanted thinking by focusing on sensory input., Strategies for grief processing are used to observe, accept, experience, and release the chaos of emotions that accompany an experience of loss., Mental shield imagery develops skills in managing mirror neurons to reduce emotional reactivity to other people's emotions., Thinking strategies to address catastrophic thinking and increase confidence in dealing with undesired outcomes should they arise., Motivation skills reduce procrastination and avoidance., Strategies for gaining acceptance of mistakes and letting go of shame and guilt.

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

I check in with couples about their progress with their goals and the improvements they are seeing in every session. Meaningful progress is evident as the list of progress and successes gets longer and the list of challenges gets shorter.

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

Clients' efforts to implement the skills they are learning and the goals that they set between sessions are essential to making progress in therapy.

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

Clients can prepare for therapy by thinking about what they want to move toward in their interactions and how the strengths of each member of the couple can contribute to reaching their goals.

Offered in-person & online

Our therapists provide couples & marriage counseling in Austin, TX

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance.

Find a provider Call (512) 807-0730

All Austin services

Services

Individual therapy Couples/marriage therapy Child therapy Family therapy Online therapy Psychiatry/medication Teen counseling
Counseling approaches & specialties

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) ADHD therapy Anger management therapy Anxiety therapy Christian counseling Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Depression counseling Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) Divorce counseling Eating disorders EMDR therapy Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) Grief & loss counseling Humanistic therapy Insomnia therapy LGBTQIA+ counseling Life transitions counseling Motivational interviewing Obsessive-compulsive disorder therapy (OCDT) Person-centered therapy (PCT) Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) Strength-based therapy Stress management therapy Trauma/PTSD therapy
Our Providers
Call (512) 807-0730
Austin, TX therapy

Connect with a therapist, psychiatrist or counselor near you

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

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

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 2 therapists in Texas available for an online or in-person session.

View providers available in TX

Call (512) 807-0730

Common approaches to Couples/marriage therapy

Starting Couples/marriage therapy

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 take most major forms of insurance, which means that many of our clients only pay $0-$50 co-pay per session. However, there are also self-pay options that sit around $200 per session, depending on the service and location, for those who are out-of-network.

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.

Insurance options

Self-pay costs

Our Texas therapists and counselors accept 1 insurance plans

See my self-pay options

Self-pay costs at Austin

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.5 Learn about verified reviews

View all reviews

★★★★★

I have been working with Dr. Covey for almost 6 months now and she has been excellent. I feel like I am heard and understood even when I have a hard time expressing things myself and putting thoughts into words. Having someone who can actually listen and provide the resources to assist myself with past trauma and current challenges has been a life changer.

Read more I have been working with Dr. Covey for almost 6 months now and she has been excellent. I feel like I am heard and understood even when I have a hard time expressing things myself and putting thoughts into words. Having someone who can actually listen and provide the resources to assist myself with past trauma and current challenges has been a life changer.

Merissa Oct 2024