Marriage counseling costs $120 to $250 per session for in-person therapy or $90 to $230 per session for virtual counseling. Prices depend on the length of the session, the therapist's experience, the counseling method, and your location. Prices are highest in major metropolitan areas like New York, Boston, Seattle, and San Francisco.

Marriage counseling is typically not covered by insurance unless it's prescribed by a medical doctor due to a billable diagnosis, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Contact your insurance provider to confirm your coverage details.

Marriage counseling, also called couples therapy, is a solution-focused type of therapy that helps couples overcome struggles, resolve conflicts, and improve their relationship.

In your first session, you and your partner will discuss your relationship issues and goals with the therapist. The therapist will often ask questions to clarify your problems and concerns. The therapist then develops a goal-oriented plan for the upcoming sessions.

The therapist may use one or several methods and techniques to help you and your partner work towards resolution, and may give you homework to do alone or together in between sessions.

Marriage counseling works best when both partners actively participate and work together on the relationship during and in between sessions. Research shows current marriage counseling techniques like the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) have a 70% to 75%+ success rate.

Marriage counseling is often worth the cost even for happy couples. Benefits of marriage counseling include:

• Improved communication
• More compassion and acceptance between partners
• A better understanding of your needs and how to express them
• A deeper connection with your partner
• Improved intimacy

Marriage counseling lasts 3 to 6 months, depending on your needs and the issues you're hoping to resolve. A couple seeking therapy to resolve one small issue may benefit from fewer sessions, while a couple considering divorce may need 6+ months.

Weekly therapy sessions typically last 45 to 90 minutes. Most counselors recommend committing to one session per week for at least three months, as becoming comfortable with the therapy process and opening up to the therapist and each other takes time.

Look for a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), as most counselors without this specialty have only introductory training in couples therapy. Follow these tips to find the best marriage counselor near you:

• Discuss your preferences and goals with your partner.
• Explore the different relationship therapy methods and look for a counselor certified in your preferred method. Two popular, science-backed methods are the Gottman Method and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT).
• Ask for recommendations from your medical provider.
• Read counselors' reviews on Thervo and Google.
• Confirm the counselor accepts your insurance or offers a sliding-scale rate.
• Ask about telemedicine and virtual visit options.
• Schedule an initial consultation to make sure you're happy with the counselor's communication style and empathy.

Ask these questions to help you choose a marriage counselor who will help you and your partner achieve the best results:

• What training and certifications do you have?
• Do you primarily work with couples?
• What therapy modalities and techniques do you use?
• How long are your sessions?
• How many sessions do you think we need?
• What is a typical session like?
• How do you measure progress?
• Do you offer discounted packages, payment plans, or sliding scale rates?
• What should we do to prepare for the first session?
• Do you assign reading or homework between sessions?