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Discover how starting couples/marriage therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
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My go-to approach for helping people in couples/marriage counseling is using love languages. I prefer getting to know each partner's love language because it helps them be intentional about meeting the other's needs.
Some main tools I teach in couples/marriage counseling are communication and problem-solving skills. Communication skills can help clients take a step back, use an empathetic approach to communicating with their partner, and allow them to see things from a different perspective. The likelihood of each partner being open to hearing the other out is greater when they communicate effectively. Using problem-solving skills to navigate differences of opinion and difficult situations helps to define the problem, brainstorm solutions, eliminate unwanted suggestions, and select the solution to achieve the desired outcome that will benefit them the most.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when they empathize with one another, are open to hearing each other, communicate their feelings and intentions clearly, have fewer differences, can problem-solve together, and take the time to invest in their relationship between sessions.
Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling by taking time to invest and be intentional about implementing the skills learned. Examples include going out on dates, being spontaneous, revisiting what attracted them to each other in the first place, and seeking individual counseling to assist with other concerns that can be hindering their relationship and need additional assistance.
To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, you can write out a list of goals and concerns that you want to address and work on. However, the most important is to come with the willingness to put in the work that it takes to try to have and maintain a healthy relationship.
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.
There are so many couples that love each other but are struggling with communicating deeply and effectively. There’s nothing quite as painful as realizing your life partner doesn’t know you as well as you thought they did, or finding you don’t know them well either. Luckily, help is available.
Thriveworks Counseling in Worcester couples therapists and marriage counselors often work with couples experiencing communication problems and many other issues that can arise in a marriage. If you think you could benefit from working with a relationship professional, reach out to Thriveworks Worcester to schedule an appointment.
It might be time to call a therapist if you’re arguing frequently, not talking at all, experiencing a lack of intimacy, or feeling apathy toward the relationship. If you’ve even considered seeing a couples therapist or marriage counselor, it may be time to make that call. Or, if you simply want to set your relationship up for the best success, you might want to reach out to a couples therapist or marriage counselor. It doesn’t matter what phase of marriage you’re in—early, child-rearing years, or much later. If things aren’t quite the way you want them to be, you can improve them.
“Most couples pursue therapy when there are significant difficulties in the relationship. However, just as it is better to manage our healthcare consistently rather than waiting until we experience potentially devastating symptoms, couples counseling can be used as a preventative resource—a way to avoid significant complications before they happen,” explains Shawn Channell, a Licensed Psychologist at our Worcester office.
We see couples experiencing many types of strife, including:
Whatever it is, “couples therapy isn’t meant as a mechanism for one partner to ‘unload’ on the other, nor as a way to force your partner to change, but as a method to find solutions to relationship problems based on the love and dedication the partners have for one another,” says Channell.
Couples therapy isn’t a refereed match, and your therapist won’t take sides. The therapist is a neutral, compassionate third party who will listen to each party and help them find where the communication breakdown is occurring. Once that breakdown is identified, your counselor will help you develop a plan to overcome it and help you learn communication skills to facilitate that plan.
“Marriage counseling and couples therapy involve both partners participating in joint therapy sessions,” says Channell. “The goal is to help the couple gain insight into their relationship, improve their satisfaction in the relationship, and to resolve conflict using a variety of therapeutic interventions.”
This brings us to the personalized approach that our counselors take. While there are effective counseling techniques that might prove effective for many couples, the counselors and therapists will not design your treatment until they get to know you. Then, and only then, will they put together a plan that will best help you and your partner improve your relationship and address the problems at hand. Of course, though, sometimes couples aren’t meant to work these problems out and are better off apart.
“While the goal of couples counseling is always to try and improve the relationship, sometimes couples realize that their disagreements and differences are irreparable and that separation may be the best solution. Even in these circumstances, couples counseling can aid couples in ending a relationship on the best terms,” Channell explains.
Thriveworks in Worcester, MA counselors know how important marriage or a long-term partnership is—it’s the most significant relationship in your life. When that’s out of balance, it’s hard to feel hopeful about anything.
You can have a strong, healthy, happy relationship, and we can help. Thriveworks does not operate with a waiting list, and we can usually see you within the week of your call, so don’t wait any longer. We also have flexible appointment options including evening and weekend sessions. In addition, we have online counseling opportunities as well. We want to make this experience as convenient as possible. Call us to schedule your appointment today.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
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 | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm |
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Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
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 |
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