What you need to know about couples counseling

• It’s not what you probably expect or what you’ve seen on TV.
• My job is not to “tell you what to do”, but instead help you figure out what works best for your relationship. I am an expert in counseling, but you are the expert in your life. It will be a partnership!
• It is not a finger point, blaming, or condemning session, but instead a time to realize relationship deficits, become accountable, and resolve conflict.

• Sometimes it can lead to breakups, separation, and or divorce due to issues that arise that may not have been disclosed to each other prior to counseling.
• I will not take sides, but instead be completely objective and honest with what I perceive the issues may be.
• It only works if you both put in work and actually care about one another.

• It takes time and you will and not leave the first session with your issues resolved. I ask all clients to commit to 12 (45-60 minute) sessions.
• You will have to work outside of therapy, and may be assigned therapy homework at the end of each session.
• Early intervention is more successful. The longer you wait the more damage can be done to the relationship, and more therapy may be required.

Preparing for the first couples counseling session.

• Talk to your significant other and come to an agreement/commitment on 12 therapy sessions. Decide on availability.
• Create a client portal account online and complete online intake forms. Invitation to the client portal will be emailed to you. 
• Make a list of all the issues and or changes you “feel or think” needs to occur for your relationship to be successful.

Couples counseling sessions outline

• Although each couple is different, and therapy will be customized for you and your distinct concerns, the first session will generally be for gathering additional (psychosocial and background) information.
• Payments will be collected at the beginning of each session.
• Intake forms will be discussed, confidentiality explained, and consent for therapy will be clarified.
• Therapy treatment orientation and style will be explained.
• Psychoeducation (about how our brains works, personality types and behavior patterns of human beings) will be discussed.
• Treatment goals, objectives, and discharge planning will be created and agreed upon, then a treatment plan created.
• Homework will be discussed at the beginning of sessions and assigned at the end of sessions.
• A Treatment review of the goals, objectives, and outcomes will be performed on about the 11th session to determine necessity for continuation of therapy or discharge plan.
• Discharge plan will be created, discussed and provided on the 12th or last session along with recommendations.

What to do before each session.

• Think on your reasons for being in therapy and any issues that you want to discuss.
• Think about the steps that you need to take to achieve your overall objectives to promote the type of relationship you desire or the partner you want to be.

How to make couples counseling work

• Come in with a positive attitude towards outcomes.
• Focus on changing yourself, not your significant other.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be honest about your feelings.

Relationship therapy initial treatment plan sample with examples of initial couples counseling goals and objectives for counselling.  Couples therapy treatment plan sample

Success rate of couples counseling

• The average success rate is about 75% for those that commit and stick with therapy, with the 25% failure rate typically attributing to abusive relationships.

RATE / FEE: $90

If I am not a provider with your insurance carrier, you MAY still be eligible for reimbursement by your insurance company, if your policy covers online therapy, couples therapy and has out-of-network coverage benefits.  To use your “out-of-network” benefits, I can provide you with a “superbill”, if requested.  This is a detailed receipt of the session, which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.  Check with your insurance provider to find out if you have out-of-network coverage, if online therapy is covered, if couples counseling is covered and for any co-pays you are responsible.  Your co-pay amount will be deducted from the reimbursement amount that they give you.

Please note that only one intake form is required for couples counseling, so figure out who will be the person to complete the intake form.  Additional information about your partner will be collected during the first session.