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Find Nearby Couples Therapists
Local Professional Support for Relationship Challenges
Couples therapists specialise in helping partners improve their relationship, resolve conflicts, and build stronger emotional connections. Whether you're married, engaged, dating, or in any committed partnership, couples therapy provides a safe space to address communication problems, navigate life transitions, rebuild trust, or strengthen your bond.
Research shows that couples therapy is effective for improving relationship satisfaction, reducing conflict, and helping partners develop healthier communication patterns.1
How to Find the Right Couples Therapist
This page automatically loads and lists the nearest therapists who work with couples and have availability. Use our filters to narrow your search. Then read couples therapist profiles carefully to find the right match for your relationship.
What to look for in couples therapist profiles:
- Couples therapy experience: Look for "couples therapy," "relationship counseling," or "partners" in their description. Check which relationship types they work with (married, unmarried, LGBTQ+, polyamorous, etc.).
- Therapeutic approaches: Look for evidence-based couples approaches like "Gottman," "EFT," "CBCT," or "integrative couples therapy."
- Relationship concerns: Check if they mention your specific concern: "communication," "conflict," "intimacy," "trust," or "life transitions."
- Practical factors: Consider location, availability that accommodates both partners, fees (including sliding scale options), and languages spoken.
Browse more therapists - Closeby first: anxiety therapist, depression therapist, teen therapist, child therapist, marriage counselor, affordable therapist, family therapist, psychologist, trauma therapist, counselor.
FAQ
What is couples therapy, and how does it work?
Couples therapy helps partners improve their relationship by addressing communication patterns, resolving conflicts, and building emotional connection. A couples therapist works with both partners together (and sometimes individually) to understand relationship dynamics and develop healthier ways of relating.
How couples therapy works
The first session involves both partners sharing their perspectives, exploring the relationship's history, and setting goals. In ongoing sessions, the therapist facilitates conversations, teaches communication skills, and helps partners build empathy and understanding. The focus is on changing interaction patterns, not blaming individuals.
Common approaches
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Focuses on emotional bonds and creating a secure connection.
- Gottman Method: A research-based approach that teaches specific skills for friendship, conflict management, and shared meaning.
- Imago Relationship Therapy: Explores how childhood experiences affect the current relationship, using structured dialogues.
- Cognitive Behavioural Couples Therapy (CBCT): Focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors within the relationship.
What couples therapy helps with
It addresses issues like communication problems, frequent arguments, emotional distance, infidelity, sexual intimacy concerns, life transitions, and financial stress. It is not about taking sides but about improving the relationship system.
When should we consider couples therapy?
Couples therapy can help at any stage of a relationship, whether you're facing serious problems or want to strengthen your connection.
Signs couples therapy might help
- Communication breakdown: Conversations escalate into arguments, you avoid important topics, or you feel misunderstood.
- Emotional distance: You feel disconnected, like roommates, with less affection or intimacy.
- Trust issues: There has been infidelity, betrayal, or secrecy that has damaged trust.
- Negative conflict patterns: You have the same arguments repeatedly, or one partner withdraws while the other pursues.
- Major life transitions: Becoming parents, career changes, moving, or illness are putting a strain on the relationship.
When to seek couples therapy
It's better to seek help early before patterns become deeply entrenched. Therapy can also be beneficial before major decisions like marriage or after a relationship crisis. If you are considering separation, a therapist can help you make a thoughtful decision and, if necessary, separate more amicably.
What if my partner doesn't want to go to couples therapy?
It's common for one partner to be more reluctant about therapy. This doesn't mean therapy can't help.
Common reasons for resistance
Partners often resist due to fear of being blamed, scepticism about therapy's effectiveness, or discomfort with vulnerability. They may believe they can solve problems on their own or feel it's a sign of failure.
What you can do
- Frame it positively: Focus on shared goals like "I want us to feel stronger" rather than on problems or blame.
- Address their concerns: Reassure them that a therapist's job is to be neutral and help both partners feel heard.
- Suggest a trial: Ask if they would be willing to try just a few sessions to see if it's helpful.
- Go alone if needed: You can still make progress by attending therapy on your own. When you change your role in the relationship dynamic, the entire system often shifts in response.
A skilled therapist can often engage a reluctant partner by creating a safe, non-blaming environment in the first session.
How do I choose a couples therapist near me?
Finding the right couples therapist involves considering their credentials, specialised training in couples work, and whether they are a good fit for both partners.
Step 1: Verify credentials and specialised training
Look for a licensed or registered professional (e.g., LMFT, LPC, Psychologist) with specific training in an evidence-based couples therapy model like the Gottman Method or Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
Step 2: Consider experience and practical factors
Ensure they have experience with your specific concerns and relationship structure. Check practicalities like location, availability that works for both of you, and fees. Online therapy is an effective and often more convenient option.
Step 3: Assess fit with both partners
Book a consultation and pay attention to how the therapist interacts with both of you. After the first session, both partners should feel heard, respected, and hopeful about the process. It's critical that the therapist remains neutral and that neither partner feels "ganged up on."
For more comprehensive guidance, read our article on How to Choose a Therapist.
Where can I find a couples counsellor?
Find relationship support in your country. Click a country to expand.
Canada
India
Lebanon
Netherlands
Philippines
Portugal
South Africa
United States
Can couples therapy be done online?
Yes. Online couples therapy has become widely available, and research shows it can be as effective as in-person therapy.
Benefits of online couples therapy
Online therapy offers significant convenience, making it easier to coordinate schedules and eliminating travel time. It provides greater access to specialists who may not be in your local area and allows couples to engage from the comfort of their own home, which some find less intimidating.
Considerations for online therapy
You will need a reliable internet connection and a private space where you can talk freely without being overheard. While online therapy works well for most situations, it can be challenging for high-conflict couples where a therapist's physical presence helps manage intense emotions. Many therapists offer both in-person and online options, so you can discuss what makes the most sense for your situation.
How much does couples therapy cost?
Couples therapy costs vary by location and therapist experience. Sessions are often longer (60-90 minutes) than individual therapy and may have a higher fee.
Ways to manage costs
- Insurance: Some health insurance plans cover couples therapy, though a mental health diagnosis for one partner may be required. Check your policy for details.
- Sliding Scale: Many therapists offer reduced fees based on household income. Ask about this during your initial contact.
- Session Frequency: Discuss with your therapist a session frequency that fits your budget and clinical needs, such as starting weekly and then moving to bi-weekly.
- Alternatives: Lower-cost options can often be found at community mental health centres, non-profit agencies, and university training clinics.
Investing in your relationship through therapy can prevent the high emotional and financial costs of separation and improve the well-being of the entire family.
For more guidance, see our articles on Therapy Cost Considerations and How to Find Affordable Therapy.
Related Resources
References
[1] Roddy, M. K., Walsh, L. M., Rothman, K., Hatch, S. G., & Doss, B. D. (2020). Meta-analysis of couple therapy: Effects across outcomes, designs, timeframes, and other moderators. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 88(7), 583-596. DOI
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TherapyRoute is a clinician-led directory that champions independent practitioners who answer to you and their professional ethics, not to investors or corporate interests. We don’t take commissions, sell your data, or assign therapists by algorithm. You browse, compare, and choose.
— Vincenzo (Enzo ) Sinisi, Clinical Psychologist (HPCSA), Psychoanalyst (IPA/SAPA), Group Analyst (IGA)
TherapyRoute is not for emergencies and does not provide medical advice. All of our content is informational and cannot replace professional healthcare. In an emergency, contact a local emergency service. For immediate support, consider a local helpline.
