I work with couples, regardless of relationship status or configuration, for 50 - 90 minute psychotherapy sessions.  Usually we meet weekly - at least in the beginning -  to solidify our working relationship as well as to keep the therapy process moving along.  Too much time in-between sessions tends to make it difficult to pick up where we left off, although there are times when a couple may need more in-between time to work on a particular issue or task before the therapy can move forward.  

 

Couple therapy is not a service that is covered by health insurance, and therefore it is considered to be an out-of-pocket expense.  Couple therapy focuses on the problems existing in the relationship between two people.  Family therapy, which is covered by health insurance, is therapy in which one person is the identified patient with a mental health or chemical dependency diagnosis, and the other person is there to participate in and support the patient's treatment.  I believe this sets up an imbalance in couple therapy so that one person becomes the "problem," or the sole source of the relationship difficulties, rather than considering that each person may have problems of their own.  (This also creates confidentiality and privacy issues). Instead, I follow the philosophy that each person in the couple shares in the responsibility of their relationship, and that it's the problems within the relationship that need to be the focus of the therapy.

 

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