Most couples wait six years longer than they should before reaching out. By the time they do, the same fight has happened a thousand times, and both partners feel like the other one isn’t even listening anymore. The work of couples therapy is not to assign blame. It is to slow the conversation down enough that you can actually hear each other, sometimes for the first time in a long while.
At The Therapy Lounge, we approach couples work as a structured, evidence-based process drawn from the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and somatic-relational approaches. We are not here to take sides. We are here to help you understand the pattern you keep getting stuck in, and to give you tools that actually work in the moments when you need them most.
Who couples therapy is for
Couples come to us at every stage. There is no “right” level of crisis to seek help. The most common reasons partners reach out:
- Communication that escalates quickly. Small things turn into big fights, and you cannot figure out why.
- Recovery from infidelity. Rebuilding trust after an affair, emotional or physical, takes structured support.
- Life transitions. A new baby, a job loss, a move, a death in the family, a kid leaving home.
- Parenting friction. Disagreements about discipline, screen time, division of labor, or how to handle a struggling child.
- Disconnection without obvious cause. The relationship feels flat. You are not fighting, but you are not really connected either.
- Pre-marital or pre-commitment work. Building a strong foundation before a major step.
- Considering separation or divorce. Including discernment counseling for couples who are not sure whether to stay or leave.
What to expect in your first few sessions
Free 15-minute consult
A short call with one of our clinicians to make sure couples therapy is the right fit and to answer any logistical questions. Both partners do not need to be on the call.
Joint intake session (50 minutes)
The first session is a structured conversation with both partners. We learn your history together, what brings you in now, and what each of you hopes to get out of the work.
Individual sessions (one each, 50 minutes)
Each partner has a one-on-one session with the same clinician. This is not about taking sides. It lets us understand each person’s history, attachment style, and stressors without the other partner in the room.
Feedback and treatment plan
By session four, we share what we have observed about the patterns in your relationship and outline a clear treatment focus. You are not in the dark about what we are doing or why.
Ongoing weekly or biweekly work
Many couples meet weekly at first, then shift to biweekly as patterns ease. The right cadence and length is something we figure out together, and revisit as the work progresses.
Approaches we draw from
Our clinicians work in an integrative, evidence-based way. Depending on what each couple needs, the work may pull from any of the following established frameworks. Talk with your clinician about which approach fits your situation best.
The Gottman Method
Developed from forty years of research on what predicts whether couples stay together, the Gottman Method gives us a clear map of the patterns that destroy relationships (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling) and the ones that protect them (turning toward, repair, building shared meaning).
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
EFT works with the attachment system. It helps couples identify the negative cycle they get stuck in, understand the softer feelings underneath surface anger or withdrawal, and rebuild emotional safety. EFT has the strongest research evidence of any couples therapy approach.
Somatic-relational work
Conflict lives in the body, not just the words. Somatic-relational work pays attention to what your nervous systems are doing during difficult conversations, not just what you are saying. Slowing the body down often unlocks conversations that words alone cannot reach.
Cost and insurance
- Session length
- 50 minutes
- Free consult
- 15 minutes, no charge
- Session fee
- Starting at $150 — please inquire
- Insurance
- Out-of-network — superbills provided
The Therapy Lounge is an out-of-network practice and does not accept insurance directly. We provide superbills you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan. Sessions start at $150, and we are happy to walk through the details on your free consult call.
Ready to start?
The first step is a free 15-minute consult call. We will answer your questions, help you figure out which clinician might be the best fit, and walk you through what to expect. There is no pressure to book a full session afterward.
Frequently asked questions
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Does online couples therapy actually work?
Yes. Research on telehealth couples therapy in recent years has shown outcomes comparable to in-person work for most presenting issues. Telehealth also lets partners attend sessions from the same physical space without the childcare and commuting friction that often delays starting.
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Do both partners have to want therapy?
One willing partner is enough to start the conversation. We have found that when one partner reaches out, the other will often agree to a single intake session. That said, sustained progress requires both partners to engage.
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How long does couples therapy take?
It depends on how long the patterns have been in place and how committed both partners are to changing them. Some couples come in for focused, shorter-term work. Others, particularly those recovering from infidelity or working with longstanding attachment ruptures, stay longer.
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Will the therapist take sides?
No. Our job is not to determine who is right. Couples therapy works on the relationship itself as the client. We name patterns we see in both partners, but our loyalty is to the relationship, not to either individual.
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Do you take insurance?
The Therapy Lounge is out-of-network and does not accept insurance directly. We provide superbills you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan.
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How much does couples therapy cost?
Sessions start at $150. Pricing varies by service and clinician, so the simplest way to get a clear answer is to reach out or ask on your free 15-minute consult call.