How long does marriage or couple’s counseling take?

Research shows that it takes a couple an average of 6 years before they finally come to see a couple’s counselor, so the process will take more than a few sessions. Most of the couples who come to see me can see and feel an improvement by six sessions.

How long are marriage/couple’s counseling sessions?

Sessions are an hour and a half. After our first couple’s session, I will meet with each of you individually for one hour just to get more detailed individual family and relationship history.

What if my partner won’t go to couple’s counseling?

Should you go to counseling even if your partner is unwilling to join you? The answer is yes! Your relationship can be helped immensely if you initiate change. When you make positive changes, it can motivate your partner to make positive changes as well. The fact is you cannot change your partner. You only have the power to change yourself. If you focus on self-improvement, this can have a positive effect on your relationship and may result in healthy responses from your partner.

What is Gottman Method Couple Therapy?

Over thirty years of research conducted by Dr. John Gottman shows that to make a relationship last, couples must become better friends, learn to manage conflict, and create ways to support each other’s hopes for the future. Drs. John and Julie Gottman have shown how couples can accomplish this by paying attention to what they call the Sound Relationship House, or the nine components of healthy relationships. I will educate you on these principles and we will work on building a strong foundation for your relationship.

What is the Gottman Relationship Checkup?

The Gottman Relationship checkup is an online questionnaire that consists of 480 questions about friendship, intimacy, emotions, conflict, values, and trust, as well as parenting, housework, finances, individual areas of concern, and more. It will tell us about the strengths of your relationship and the challenges you face as a couple.

Developed from over 40 years of research, this relationship assessment relies on intensive, detailed, and evidence- based information on why relationships succeed or fail.

Will you take sides or will I be blamed?

As your marriage or couple’s counselor, I am on the side of the relationship. I want you to feel safe and I will not judge you. My goal is to help you to become better friends, manage conflict, and to create shared meaning together; to have a Sound Relationship House!

Do you offer premarital counseling?

Yes. All of my clients take the Gottman Relationship Checkup which gives us detailed information about the strengths and the challenges of your relationship. You do not need to be married to take the Relationship Checkup or to work on your relationship with me. As a matter of fact, taking these steps prior to marriage or cohabitating gives your relationship a strong foundation on which to build.

Do you counsel couples who are separated?

Yes. Separation is a difficult time when major life decisions are being made. This is a good time with work with me in order to make the best decision for the future of your relationship.

Can we do marriage or couple’s counseling online?

Yes! I meet with couples on my HIPAA secure counseling site. As long as you have a webcam and microphone, we will be able to see and hear one another as if we were in the office. Sometimes it’s hard for couples to coordinate their schedules in order to meet for couple’s sessions. Meeting online can better accommodate your busy schedules and work travel. It is actually more convenient for you!

Do you take insurance for marriage or couple’s counseling?

One of the many benefits of being a client of mine is freedom from mandates that insurance companies place on the client-therapist relationship. These include limits on the type and amount of care you can receive, and may even require me to diagnose you with a mental disorder for reimbursement. Most insurance plans will not reimburse for couple’s or marital counseling. You can check with your insurance company to inquire about your particular plan. If your insurance company does cover couple’s or marital counseling, they will reimburse you for a portion of your counseling or therapy fees (for an out of plan provider). If requested, I will give you a monthly statement with a diagnosis and treatment code for these purposes.

How do I pay for my sessions?

You will be able to pay online via paypal, credit card, or your HSA card. Some people prefer that I hold their credit card information and charge them accordingly after each session.