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.
Related Articles about Marital Communication
For others way to strengthen marriages and communication, read:
- How to Stop Arguing with a Spouse about Money.
- Should Spouses Sleep Separately?
- Married Couples Should Divide Household Chores.
Genna Cockerham - Genna Cockerham has been writing online since November 2008. She served as Marriage Feature Writer from December 2008 to February ...
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