COUPLES

THERAPY

Couples therapy is a type of psychotherapy where a trained, often licensed therapist works with both partners in a relationship to identify and resolve issues and/or conflicts that may be impacting their relationship or to gain a better understanding of one another to improve their current relationship.

Therapists work with couples in therapy for many reasons such as resolving conflicts, increasing communication skills, discussing and working on issues of infidelity, sexual difficulties, managing anger and emotions within the relationship, as well as discussing effective parenting skills. Couples therapy can also be sought out to help couples achieve a deeper understanding of one another whether to prepare for marriage, to want to improve their current marriage or relationship or to decide to part ways. The goal of couples therapy can vary and is determined in therapy based on the couple's situation and what is discussed in session with their therapist.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Each session in couples therapy will last between 45-55 minutes in length. In the first session both individuals in the couple will meet with me in the session to discuss the reasons that may have brought the couple into therapy. In addition to identifying the couples presenting issues, the first 2-3 sessions will consist of gathering information pertaining to the family and social history of each individual separately as well as in gathering information about the dynamics and relationship history of the couple. Gathering information from each individual may entail meeting separately with each partner in the first 2-3 sessions to aid in understanding each individual and the part they play in the dynamic of the couple's relationship. During the first several therapy meetings therapy goals will be discussed and decided with the couple and a treatment plan will be determined to aid in accomplishing these goals. The beginning sessions of therapy will also provide us an opportunity to determine whether or not my services are best suited for the couple's needs.

As sessions continue, the issues that brought the couple into therapy and the therapeutic progress will be discussed. Therapeutic assignments will periodically be given individually and together as a couple in hopes of obtaining a healthier and more positive dynamic between each individual in the relationship while striving to achieve the couple's therapeutic goals.

It is important to note that while there may be times that that each partner may meet privately with the clinician to gather individual information that may be helpful to the couples therapeutic process, all information discussed will be shared with the other partner in the next couples therapy session when all are present.

Payment

I am in-network with Medicare, Capital Blue Cross, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurances, UBH/Optum, Highmark, Geisinger, Magellan and Aetna Insurances and I am happy to provide documentation for out of network reimbursement. My initial intake fee is $180 and follow-up appointments for couples therapy is $160-$177 for out of pocket payers. Payment is due at the time of service. I prefer cash or check but also accept credit card and HSA payment. For Out of Pocket and Out-of-Network clients, please see the general page of this website.