FAQ
Below is a list of some frequently asked questions. Please contact us with any additional questions.
How many sessions will we need?
Couples typically get stuck in negative cycles for 6 years prior to seeking help. It takes time, therefore, to decrease the energy behind the negative cycles and to make the healthy communication cycles the new normal.
We, therefore, meet with most couples for 12-20 sessions. With that said, some couples (e.g., premarital couples seeking relationship enrichment) may only need 6 sessions. Other couples with histories of childhood trauma, infidelity, addiction, and other more complex challenges, may need more than 20 to create lasting change.
How long is each session?
We prefer to meet for 80-minute sessions, which provides ample time to discuss the prior week, identify the goals for the session, and reinforce healthy communication patterns. With that said, we also offer 50-minute sessions (which we also find to be effective), if there are time or financial constraints.
How often will we meet?
We recommend meeting on a weekly basis (every other week at the least) until the negative cycles have been greatly reduced and there is a sense of gaining positive momentum in the relationship. Once this momentum is achieved, we typically reduce the frequency and the length of the sessions.
Do you accept insurance?
We do not accept insurance. Upon request, we can email you a detailed invoice that you can submit directly to your insurance provider for reimbursement. We’re considered “out-of-network mental health providers.”
Will couples therapy work for us?
While there is no way to guarantee a particular outcome, we use models that maximize the chances for success, assuming both partners are still invested in working on the relationship.
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) is based on decades of research and has been shown to be effective for a range of issues (90% of couples in their studies improve). Gottman Method Couples Therapy (GMCT) is also based on decades of research and provides couples with a practical map of what differentiates healthy from unhealthy relationships. We find that both of these models together create a potent combination.
A more in-depth analysis of EFT is located here. And the empirical basis for GMCT is here.