Choose a Therapist for Marriage Counseling: Know What to Look for When Seeking Couples Therapy

Married couples who have agreed to seek help through marriage counseling may find it challenging to know where to get help. Follow these tips for finding and choosing a marriage counselor.

Find a Marriage Counselor

There are many ways to find a marriage counselor or therapist. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy has an online search tool to find clinical members. Primary care physicians and health-insurance companies are other ways to get referrals to quality counseling. Friends can provide references for counseling if they are willing to discuss where they have found help. The phone book can be another source to find a counselor who specializes in couples therapy.

Choose a Licensed Therapist

Once a local therapist or marriage counselor has been found, it is time to make sure the therapist will be a good fit. If the counselor has been located through the phone book or friends, it is especially important to check his or her credentials. In order to get the most effective help with marital problems, the Mayo Clinic recommends selecting a licensed mental health professional. Although guidelines vary by state, many marriage counselors are licensed marriage and family therapists (MFTs). MFTs have a master’s or doctorate degree and at least two years clinical experience, according to the AAMFT. Refer to the counselor’s website or call the office to ask about licensing.

Payment Options for Marriage Counseling

Even couples who received a referral from a primary care physician or health-insurance company should call the office to inquire whether the therapist takes health insurance. If the couple does not have health insurance or if couples therapy is not covered, it is important to inquire if the therapist offers a sliding scale based on income for payments.

Marriage counseling usually costs from $75 to $200 per hour, or roughly $100 per session, according to the National Directory of Marriage and Family Counseling’s frequently asked questions. Be sure to ask how much the therapist charges per session and how long each session lasts. Marriage therapy lasts an average of 12 sessions, according to the AAMFT. Although it can be hard to fit the cost of marriage counseling into the household budget, it can be worth the sacrifice.

Schedule a Phone Consultation with a Therapist

Once the credentials have been established and the payment options are known, it is important to take care of a few other business items before making an appointment. If the therapist offers phone consultations, take advantage of this option to ask about the therapist’s experience with the individual type of problem. Same-sex couples, couples seeking Christian marriage counseling or domestic violence victims may have to inquire at a few different offices to find exactly what they are seeking in a therapist. Be sure to ask about the policy for canceling sessions and contacting the therapist in an emergency.

Investing some time into finding a marriage counselor can result in a better therapy experience. Be sure to select a qualified and licensed MFT who has experience in the problem area. Ask questions up front in order to know what to expect and minimize the cost of counseling.

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The copyright of the article Choose a Therapist for Marriage Counseling in Marital Conflict Negotiation is owned by Genna Cockerham. Permission to republish Choose a Therapist for Marriage Counseling in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

May 11, 2009 9:30 AM

Guest :

My wife and i saw a marriage counselor together for 2 years. We have been married for 20 years, are educated, financially comfortable, have 2 great sons and overall, a great life together. But there has always been some periodic friction because of extended family issues, spending habits and occassional drinking. But nothing extreme. We actually changed our counseling meetings to biweekly, being at a loss for words in repeatedly discussing the same issues. About a year ago, my wife came across some of my internet activity that was understandably very upsetting to her and mortifying to me, opening a whole new dramatic chapter in our marriage which we continue to work through separately. She ended our marriage counseling, but has continued to see this same counselor for her own personal therapy sessions, while i found a new counselor. It seems inappropriate on the counselor's part, or a conflict of interest, in seeing my wife alone after having established a relationship with both of us