How Much Does Couples Therapy Cost in NC?
- Sarah Thompson
- Mar 24
- 6 min read
Takeaway: The cost of couples counseling in North Carolina depends on several factors, including the type of therapy, session length, and more. In this post, we’ll explore these factors, review average pricing, and answer your top questions about cost so you can feel prepared to invest in your relationship.
If you're considering marriage counseling, there's a good chance that you'd do almost anything to heal your relationship. Whether you're struggling with communication, intimacy, trust, or something else, many people turn to couples counseling when they feel they've exhausted all other options to fix things with their partner.
While that may be true, logistical factors—like cost—can keep some couples from taking the plunge. It doesn't help that it's difficult to find straightforward information about pricing. The confusion around cost and the understandable anxiety about the financial burden can prevent people from working with a marriage counselor, even if it could save their relationship.
That's why I created this blog post. As a couples therapist offering online therapy to couples across the state (and in Colorado), my goal is to provide clear information about the average cost of marriage counseling in North Carolina. We'll also explore factors that can play into the cost, your options for paying for couples counseling, and why it's often a worthwhile investment.
Let's dive in.
What's the average cost of couples counseling in North Carolina?
In general, marriage counseling costs between $75-$300 per session in North Carolina.
This range alone shows how much the cost of couples therapy can vary. To break things down even further, I analyzed the rates of 25 couples therapists in some of North Carolina's major cities. While these figures don't represent the rates of any one particular therapist, they can serve as helpful data points in gauging what to expect.
City in North Carolina | Average cost of a couples counseling session |
Charlotte | $185 |
Raleigh | $177 |
Greensboro | $163 |
Durham | $183 |
Winston-Salem | $156 |
Fayetteville | $146 |
Cary | $156 |
Again, these are average rates. If you want to know the actual couples counseling cost at a particular practice, I recommend reaching out directly.
Why is couples counseling so expensive?
It's common to be a bit surprised by the cost of couples counseling, especially if you've never worked with a therapist before. Some people find it helpful to understand the "why" behind the cost, so let's explore some factors that can influence the price.
Training & education
Many marriage and family therapists have specialized training in couples counseling methods, such as emotionally focused therapy (EFT) or the Gottman method. These trainings go beyond standard therapist education, and they are a significant investment of time and resources, so these therapists often charge more.
At the same time, their advanced expertise can help you and your partner experience deep, lasting change, so the extra cost is often worth it.
Therapy format
The length and format of your session can also influence what you pay. For example, I offer both 50- and 75-minute marriage counseling sessions, as well as 4-hour couples intensives. Each of these services has a different rate to reflect the time and energy that goes into each type of session.
Whether you choose standard sessions or intensives is completely up to you and your partner. Many couples enjoy the routine of weekly sessions, while others prefer the dedicated, uninterrupted block of time that intensives provide.
Multiple people
Couples counseling often costs more than individual therapy. That's because the therapist must take special care to make all parties feel heard and supported. Juggling multiple perspectives and relationship dynamics in a single session requires a different skill set and level of active involvement than most individual therapy sessions do, so couples therapists often charge more.
Is marriage counseling covered by insurance?
Typically, marriage counseling isn't technically covered by health insurance plans. However, that doesn't mean that you can't get reimbursed for your care.
While your insurance plan may not explicitly cover couples therapy sessions, they may provide coverage or offer reimbursement if therapy is deemed "medically necessary." In other words, if one partner has a mental health diagnosis that's impacting the relationship, you may be able to make a case for medical necessity.
I recommend contacting your insurance company for more details on what exactly your plan covers.
How can we pay for couples counseling?
When it comes to actually paying for marriage therapy, you have options. Here are the main ways people pay for their sessions.
Out of pocket. This is the most straightforward way of paying for counseling. When you pay out of pocket, you have the most control over your care, from how often you'd like to meet and for how long, all without needing a mental health diagnosis.
Insurance benefits. Even if a therapist isn't in-network with your plan, you may be able to use your plan's out-of-network benefits to get reimbursed for some or all of the session costs.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Some employers offer several therapy sessions through their EAP at low or no cost. While these programs are often short-term, they can be a great way to start getting support.
Sliding scale fees. Some couples therapists offer sliding scale fees for those who qualify. I recommend reaching out to therapists directly to ask about what financial assistance they may offer as each practice is different.
Training clinics. Many universities offer low-cost therapy, provided by counselors in training (who are supervised by a licensed therapist). Reach out to your local institutions to see what programs are available.
With all of these options, hopefully you and your partner can find a payment method that works for you.
Is marriage counseling worth the money?
Yes, couples counseling is often worth it.
While each couple's situation is different, I've seen the power of therapy firsthand with the numerous relationships I've helped in my years as a therapist.
Here's a quick overview of some of the benefits that you and your partner could experience through going to therapy.
Improved intimacy. Research shows that counseling helps couples improve intimacy, including emotional, physical, sexual, and intellectual intimacy.
Better communication. Having the support of a therapist can help partners learn how to both express themselves more clearly and really listen when the other speaks.
Stronger conflict resolution. Ever find you and your partner getting caught in the same arguments over and over? Marriage counseling can help you break that cycle.
Improved mental health. Couples therapy is helpful for more than just your relationship issues. Studies show that it can also improve individual mental health issues, like anxiety and depression.
This isn't an exhaustive list, and every relationship is unique. If you're curious whether therapy can help you and your partner, I encourage you to reach out for a free consultation to discuss your situation directly.
Paying for couples therapy at SJT Therapy
I've chosen to be an out-of-network provider with insurance companies for my couples therapy practice. Here's why this might actually work better for you and your partner:
More privacy
While there's no shame in seeking support, it's understandable that you'd want your relationship issues to stay private. Choosing private pay means that I don't have to send your personal relationship details to your insurance company.
Freedom to do what works
Insurance companies love to make rules about therapy—how long sessions can be, how many you can have, and sometimes even who needs to be in the room. When we work together without insurance, we can focus on what your relationship actually needs, not what some insurance company thinks it needs.
No need for labels
Insurance typically requires me to give your relationship some kind of diagnosis code. But most couples don't need their relationship "diagnosed"—you just need support! Working with me directly means we can focus on helping your relationship without having to label it with a problem first.
Invest in your relationship today
Ready to see what couples counseling can do for your relationship? I'm here to help.
I offer online couples therapy for people across North Carolina and Colorado. While I've worked with countless couples in traditional marriages or relationship structures, I also specialize in working with people practicing ethical non-monogamy and other alternative relationship styles.
In addition to online couples counseling, I also offer family therapy, individual therapy, and intensives so you and your loved ones can get support in the way that works best for you.
Reach out today to request your free, no-obligation consultation. I look forward to meeting you!
Comments