Couples Therapy & Relationship Counseling

How Couples Therapy Can Improve Communication

Many couples arrive in therapy saying, "We just don't know how to communicate anymore."

Sometimes the problem is not a lack of communication. The couple may actually communicate quite a lot—but conversations repeatedly lead to defensiveness, withdrawal, frustration, or arguments.

For example, one partner may push harder when they feel unheard while the other becomes quieter when they feel criticized. The more one pursues the conversation, the more the other withdraws, creating a cycle that neither person intends.

Couples therapy can help you recognize patterns like these.

A therapist may help partners learn to:

• Express needs more clearly
• Listen without immediately preparing a defense
• Identify emotional triggers
• Slow down escalating conversations
• Communicate during disagreements
• Understand each other's perspectives
• Repair conversations after conflict
• Develop healthier boundaries
• Express appreciation and affection
• Address concerns before resentment builds

The goal is not to eliminate disagreement. Healthy couples disagree.

The goal is to develop healthier ways to navigate those disagreements.

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Rebuilding Trust in a Relationship

Trust can be affected by many experiences, including dishonesty, broken promises, emotional disconnection, boundary violations, or other significant relationship events.

Rebuilding trust usually takes more than simply agreeing to "move on."

Couples therapy can provide a structured place to explore what happened, understand how both partners have been affected, and determine what would need to change for the relationship to move forward.

For some couples, the goal is rebuilding the relationship. For others, therapy may help them gain clarity about what they want next.

The therapist's role is not to choose sides or decide whether a couple should remain together. Instead, therapy can help partners communicate honestly and make thoughtful decisions about their relationship.

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What Happens During Couples Therapy?

The first few appointments typically focus on understanding the relationship, the concerns that brought you to counseling, and what each partner hopes to accomplish.

Your couples therapist may ask about:

• Your relationship history
• Current concerns
• Communication patterns
• Significant life experiences
• Areas of conflict
• Strengths within the relationship
• Individual perspectives
• Previous attempts to address the problem
• What each partner wants to change
• Your goals for therapy

From there, you and your therapist can develop treatment goals and begin working on the patterns that are most important to your relationship.

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Both Partners Have a Voice in Therapy

Couples therapy is designed to create space for both partners' experiences.

It is common for each person to see the same interaction differently. One of the therapist's roles is to help both partners communicate their perspectives while identifying the relationship patterns that may be contributing to the problem.

The goal is not to determine who is "right."

Instead, therapy can help couples better understand what is happening between them and determine what they would like to do differently.

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Inclusive Couples Therapy for All Relationships

Healthy relationships come in many forms, and couples therapy should reflect that.

At Dr. Goldberg & Associates, we welcome couples of diverse identities, backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship experiences. Our goal is to help each couple find a therapist who can understand their concerns and support the goals they have for their relationship.

Our couples therapy services are inclusive of:

• LGBTQIA+ couples
• Same-sex couples
• Straight couples
• Bisexual and pansexual individuals and couples
• Transgender and gender-diverse individuals and their partners
• Dating and unmarried couples
• Engaged couples
• Married couples
• Long-term partners
• Couples from diverse cultural, racial, religious, and family backgrounds

Couples may also come to therapy with concerns that are influenced by their identities or experiences. These can include coming out, family acceptance, differences in cultural or religious backgrounds, gender identity or transition, discrimination, changing family dynamics, or navigating expectations about relationships and marriage.

Your relationship does not need to fit a particular definition to deserve support. Couples therapy is about understanding the two people in the relationship, the challenges they are experiencing, and the future they want to build together.

When scheduling, you can let our team know if finding a therapist with particular experience, cultural awareness, or an LGBTQIA+-affirming approach is important to you. We can consider those preferences when helping you find an appropriate provider.

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Both Partners Must Complete Intake Forms

Because couples therapy involves two consenting adults, Dr. Goldberg & Associates requires each partner to complete their own intake paperwork before the first appointment.

This allows us to obtain the necessary information and consent from both individuals participating in treatment.

Completing paperwork ahead of time also allows the therapist to begin the first appointment with the information needed to understand the relationship and your goals for counseling.

If one partner has completed their paperwork and the other has not, the appointment may need to be delayed until all required forms are complete.

We recommend completing intake paperwork as soon as it is received.

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Does Insurance Cover Couples Therapy?

Dr. Goldberg & Associates accepts insurance for couples therapy.

Insurance coverage varies by individual policy, so benefits and patient responsibility can differ depending on the plan.

Before your first appointment, our team can assist with reviewing available insurance information. However, insurance verification is not a guarantee that a claim will be paid, and the insurance company ultimately determines how services are processed.

If you have specific questions about deductibles, copays, coinsurance, or coverage requirements, we also recommend contacting your insurance carrier directly.

Our team can help answer questions about the billing process before you begin care.

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What If Only One Partner Wants Therapy?

It is common for one person to be more enthusiastic about couples counseling than the other.

Sometimes one partner suggested therapy while the other agreed reluctantly. That does not necessarily mean counseling will not be helpful.

A couples therapist can help both partners discuss what they want from the process and identify goals they can agree on.

If your partner is unwilling to attend couples therapy, individual therapy may still provide an opportunity to explore relationship concerns, communication patterns, boundaries, and decisions you are trying to make.

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Do We Need to Be in Crisis to Start Couples Therapy?

No.

Couples therapy can be helpful at many points in a relationship.

Some couples begin counseling during a serious period of conflict. Others seek therapy because they notice communication becoming more difficult and want to address the problem early.

Still others use couples counseling to:

• Strengthen communication
• Prepare for marriage
• Adjust to becoming parents
• Navigate a major transition
• Improve emotional connection
• Discuss important decisions
• Develop healthier conflict-resolution skills

Seeking counseling before a relationship reaches a crisis point can give couples more opportunities to practice new skills while the relationship still has significant strengths to build on.

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How Long Does Couples Therapy Take?

There is no universal timeline for couples therapy.

The length of treatment depends on factors such as:

• The concerns bringing you to therapy
• How long the patterns have existed
• Your treatment goals
• How frequently you attend
• Each partner's engagement in the process
• Whether significant individual mental health concerns are also present

Some couples seek short-term help around a specific issue. Others benefit from longer-term work addressing complex or long-standing relationship patterns.

Your therapist can discuss recommendations with you once they better understand your needs.

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Couples Therapy and Individual Therapy

Some people participate in both individual and couples therapy.

Individual therapy focuses primarily on your own emotional health, experiences, behaviors, and personal goals. Couples therapy focuses primarily on the relationship and the patterns occurring between partners.

Depending on your circumstances, your couples therapist may recommend individual support as well.

The appropriate treatment structure will depend on your needs and should be discussed with your provider.

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Finding the Right Couples Therapist

A strong therapeutic relationship is important in couples therapy.

Both partners should feel that the therapist is listening to their concerns and working toward the goals of the relationship rather than automatically siding with one person.

Different therapists also have different areas of expertise and approaches to couples counseling.

When helping you find a provider, our scheduling team can consider factors such as:

• The concerns you want to address
• Provider specialties
• Appointment availability
• In-person versus telehealth preferences
• Location
• Insurance
• Other preferences that may affect therapeutic fit

Finding a therapist who fits your needs can make it easier for both partners to participate openly in the process.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Therapy

Do we have to be married to go to couples therapy?

No. Couples therapy is available to people at many stages of relationships, including dating couples, long-term partners, engaged couples, and married couples. You can also seek counseling while deciding what you want for the future of the relationship.

Does insurance cover couples counseling?

Dr. Goldberg & Associates accepts insurance for couples therapy. Your individual coverage, deductible, copay, coinsurance, and other benefits depend on your insurance plan. We recommend confirming your mental health benefits with your insurance company.

Does each partner need to complete paperwork?

Yes. Because both partners are consenting adults participating in treatment, each person must complete the required intake and consent forms before beginning couples therapy.

Can couples therapy help if we argue all the time?

Yes. Frequent arguments often develop from communication and emotional patterns that become difficult for couples to interrupt on their own. Therapy can help you identify those patterns, understand what is driving them, and practice different ways of responding to each other.

Can we go to therapy even if our relationship is going well?

Absolutely. Some couples use therapy proactively to strengthen communication, prepare for marriage, discuss future plans, or develop skills for handling conflict before significant problems arise.

Can couples therapy help us decide whether to stay together?

Therapy can provide a structured environment for discussing difficult questions about your relationship. Your therapist will not make the decision for you but can help both partners communicate honestly, clarify priorities, and make thoughtful decisions about the future.

What if my partner doesn't want to come?

If your partner is hesitant, you may want to discuss what concerns them about couples therapy. Sometimes learning what to expect can reduce anxiety about attending. If your partner ultimately chooses not to participate, individual therapy can still help you work through relationship concerns and determine what you want to do next.

Can we receive premarital counseling?

Yes. Couples who are engaged or considering marriage can use therapy to discuss communication, finances, family expectations, parenting, intimacy, conflict resolution, boundaries, and other topics that can influence a long-term relationship.

Do you offer LGBTQIA+ couples therapy?

Yes. Dr. Goldberg & Associates welcomes LGBTQIA+ couples as well as couples of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and backgrounds. We recognize that every relationship is different and that some couples may also be navigating concerns related to identity, family acceptance, discrimination, cultural expectations, or other experiences. When scheduling, let our team know if you are looking for a therapist with particular experience or an LGBTQIA+-affirming approach so we can consider this when matching you with a provider.

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Start Couples Therapy With Dr. Goldberg & Associates

Relationships do not have to be in crisis before you ask for support.

Whether you are dating, engaged, married, or have been together for decades, couples therapy can help you better understand one another, strengthen communication, work through conflict, and determine what you want your relationship to look like moving forward.

Dr. Goldberg & Associates offers couples therapy with insurance accepted. Both partners will need to complete their individual intake paperwork before the first appointment.

Our team can help you find a couples therapist based on your concerns, preferences, insurance, and appointment needs.

Contact Dr. Goldberg & Associates today to request a couples therapy appointment.