What Is A Marriage Counseling Session Like?
Published on August 15th, 2019
Updated on January 2nd, 2024
Some couples are hesitant to go into therapy because they don’t know what to expect. Trusting your therapist with your personal thoughts about your relationship can be scary. While it can be scary, it is also a great way to confront issues in a relationship to help make it stronger.
The points below can give you an idea of what to expect at each marriage counseling session. Marriage counselors have different ways of addressing the issues that couples bring to sessions. The following gives you an idea of what a marriage counseling session is like:
- The first meeting will typically have the therapist ask you questions about the reason for your visit. It’s best to be prepared for this. Being prepared will help your therapist develop a plan for addressing your goals.
- Expect follow-up questions from your therapist. In the first meeting, your therapist will ask you and your spouse questions. These questions are asked with the intention of better getting to know you and your spouse, along with your relationship needs. The questions asked may be difficult to answer. However, being as open and honest as possible can help your therapist decide on the best way to treat you and your spouse.
- The therapist may see both of you together right away or may ask for a little time to see each of you individually in your meetings. The individual sessions will give you the chance to explain the concerns you have privately. This helps when you have concerns to discuss with your therapist that you would not be comfortable sharing with your spouse present.
- After your first session, your therapist will begin developing a treatment plan to follow. A treatment plan helps set the path in therapy. It sets goals for you and your spouse to achieve and helps with tracking progress. Your treatment plan requires your input. Be sure to clearly express your goals and intentions for sessions. You may also check in with your therapist about your progress in marriage counseling.
- After your treatment plan is created, your sessions will be geared toward addressing your treatment goals. Your therapist will begin working with you and your spouse on your relationship issues. They will teach you coping skills and methods to help promote trust and communication. They may also assign homework assignments to complete between sessions.
Marriage counseling will typically last for as long as it is needed by the couple. Your therapist will be able to help you gauge how you are growing in sessions. You may see improvement in how you and your spouse communicate with each other.
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Click HereHow Much Does Marriage Counseling Usually Cost?
One of the concerns a couple seeking counseling may have is how much counseling costs. They may also wonder if their insurance covers it. This concern may deter a couple from seeking marriage counseling. Fortunately, there are cost-effective ways to seek marriage counseling.
The average cost of marriage therapy can run anywhere from $100 to $175 per hour. This cost may be different based on the therapist’s qualifications. It may also vary based on where you are seeking counseling and your counseling needs.
Example: Therapists who earned a Doctorate Degree often charge more than therapists who earned a Master’s Degree. This is due to the level of education achieved. While the levels of education are different, both qualify a therapist to provide marriage counseling.
While it can get pricey, marriage counseling is a good investment to make when needed. There are also options that may help make counseling more affordable to you and your spouse.
Health Insurance
Marriage counseling may be covered by insurance but some couples choose not to charge it. This is because, for your health insurance to cover the cost of therapy, you or your spouse must be diagnosed with a mental health disorder. This can have implications since a diagnosis will be placed in your or your spouse’s medical record.
Another reason why couples choose to pay out-of-pocket is that it does not limit their choice of providers. Many qualified providers only accept certain insurances, and some do not accept insurance at all. A couple can work with a therapist that they are comfortable with without being confined to in-network providers.
That being said, charging your therapy to insurance will lessen the overall cost. It may also allow you to finish the course of therapy since insurance can take care of several sessions.
A Sliding Scale
Therapists may choose to offer a sliding scale to their patients. A sliding scale is a method of negotiating a more affordable price when needed. While not all providers offer a sliding scale, you may consider discussing your financial needs during the first session. They may be able to adjust their fee or your frequency of visits to best fit your financial needs.
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