How Much Is Couples Therapy? Is Couples Therapy Covered By Insurance?

What Is Couples Therapy?

Couples counseling (which is also referred to as marriage counseling or relationship counseling) is a specific type of counseling intended to improve relational satisfaction. This therapy can improve conflict resolution, strengthen intimacy, help people get over being cheated on, and even help ambivalent couples ultimately decide if they should stay in the relationship. Couples therapy can be appropriate at any stage of a relationship.¹

How Much Is Couples Therapy?

Couples therapists charge vastly different rates depending on their location, expertise, and therapy setting. On the upper end, in higher cost-of-living areas, you may expect upwards of $250-$300/hour. The average cost of couples therapy is around $150, although newer therapists often charge less for their sessions. Therapists in private practice typically charge the highest fees.

Average Cost of Couples Therapy

Most therapists charge more for couples therapy than individual therapy sessions. It’s not uncommon for a therapist who offers both services to charge $50-$100 more than individual therapy per hour to work with couples. Many will also offer longer sessions (up to 90-120 minutes). Couples therapy can be billed under different names, including marriage counseling and couples counseling.

Is Couples Therapy Covered By Insurance?

Couples issues aren’t generally covered by health insurance. That’s because, from an insurance standpoint, couples issues aren’t medically considered mental health issues. That means they don’t warrant the medical necessity for therapeutic treatment. Therefore, most people should expect to pay out-of-pocket for their therapy sessions.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If one or both partners has a mental health diagnosis, insurance may cover couples therapy. It’s important to review your benefits with your insurance plan first. They will determine if coverage is eligible. From there, you will want to work with a therapist who’s in-network with your insurance company.

Discounts for Couples Therapy

Most therapists won’t give a discount for couples therapy. However, some therapists offer sliding scales for couples facing financial hardship. Likewise, some community health clinics, college campuses, or nonprofit agencies offer therapy at reduced rates. Intern or associate therapists often provide therapy at cheaper costs, but they are still working under licensed supervisors. Additionally, some online marriage counseling platforms also offer discounted rates for signing up.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Couples Therapy

Many variables, including the therapist’s location, credentials, qualifications, and years of experience can impact the cost of therapy. Likewise, therapists generally charge more for having longer sessions. While therapists typically charge the same for in-person and virtual therapy, some therapists who exclusively work in-person charge more (as there is more overhead to account for).

Common factors that affect how much couples therapy costs include:

Location

Like with all industries, the cost of therapy greatly varies from state to state. For example, in New York City, one of the most expensive places to live, the average cost of therapy is around $200. In Mississippi, which is the lowest cost of living state, the average cost is around $120. Looking through a local therapist directory can give you an accurate range of costs.

Therapist Qualifications & Experience

Therapist qualifications vary, but more expertise generally translates to higher costs. When choosing a couples therapist, having a good fit is essential. You and your partner should both feel like you’re being equally supported and guided towards introspection and honesty. Psychologists may charge more than master’s-level clinicians (although not always). That said, the longer someone has been practicing, the higher their rates tend to be.

Online or In-Person Therapy

Therapists in private practice generally charge the same fees for either online or in-person therapy. Online couples therapy (via online therapy platforms) is cheaper than most traditional therapists, as many of them work based on a subscription platform. However, some private practice therapists also offer subsidized rates via sliding scales. If you know you want to work with a certain provider, it’s always worth asking.

Length of Sessions

Therapy sessions range from 45-120 minutes. The average session is around 50-55 minutes. However, many couples therapists offer therapy options that are either around one hour or an hour and a half. The couple generally collaborates with the therapist to determine the optimal session length, and this may be based on how often they meet each month.

Why Does Couples Therapy Cost More Than Individual Therapy?

It’s true that couples therapy often costs more than individual therapy. This is because two people are receiving treatment, and the therapy may, therefore, be more complex and intense. Likewise, skilled couples therapists may undergo more extensive training. However, it should be noted that many therapists offer the same hourly rate for all types of clinical services.

There’s no doubt that the cost of therapy can certainly be prohibitive for many couples. That’s why it’s important to review the best options based on your budget. Low-cost therapy is available throughout the country. With that said, upon completing therapy, many couples do consider treatment to be financially and emotionally worth the investment.

Is Couples Counseling Worth It?

Many couples therapy modalities are evidence-based, which means they are supported by scientific research. For example, research examining 332 couples showed that emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT) was associated with a 70% success rate.² Other studies show that more integrative and eclectic therapeutic treatment still yields positive benefits, both in the short term and long term.³

That said, it’s important to be aware of the risks of any therapeutic treatment. Many couples find that participating in therapy can be challenging. Confronting your relationship weaknesses (and your own mistakes) often feels vulnerable. Some couples who undergo couples therapy realize they no longer want to stay in the relationship, and managing that reality can be painful.⁴

How to Find the Right Couples Therapist

Ideally, both partners should have similar criteria when looking for a therapist. Some couples find that it’s helpful to work with a clinician who shares similar values, cultural background, or religious preferences. Others may have a preference for gender, age, or theoretical orientation. Consider sitting down with your partner and discussing what feels most important to each of you.

Research consistently shows that the therapeutic alliance is one of the most essential predictors of treatment success,⁵ which is why having the “right fit” is so crucial. It may be helpful to ask trusted friends or family if they have any referrals. Or, you can look through an online therapist directory and narrow down potential candidates based on your preferences and needs.

Alternatives to Couples Therapy

Couples therapy isn’t the only way couples can improve the quality of their relationship. Some couples choose to attend workshops, retreats, or seminars rooted in couples issues. Others may try discussion cards, relationship coaching, communication apps like The Lasting App, or use workbooks to strengthen their connection. Some couples may also participate in individual therapy to work on their own issues privately.

In My Experience

Even if you deeply love your partner, relationships are hard work. They require open communication, commitment, and a level of compromise. Learning how to truly take and give in your relationship isn’t always a straightforward effort. For these reasons, couples therapy can be one of the best decisions a couple makes. A therapist provides a compassionate, impartial perspective intended to help you both grow and connect.