How much does marriage counseling cost?
Marriage counseling can be sought by both people in a relationship or by just one. Marriage counseling is provided by a range of professionals, many of whom are licensed marriage and family therapists. Common goals of people who seek marriage counseling include conflict resolution, better communication, family planning, rebuilding trust, and increased intimacy and passion. A handful of factors affect the cost of marriage counseling.
Individual versus couple
The price per session for individuals seeking marriage counseling is generally less than for couples who have marriage counseling sessions together. Here are pricing examples from two marriage counselors based in New York City:
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Individual session: $125 for 50 minutes
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Couple’s session: $150 for 60 minutes
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Individual session: $180 for 50 minutes
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Couple’s session: $240 for 60 minutes
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Training and reputation
The educational background and degrees, type of experience, and the number of years in the field of the marriage counselor all play a role in determining cost. The counselor’s reputation may also affect the overall cost if demand is particularly high for someone’s services.
Sliding scale
Many marriage counselors offer standard set rates as well as sliding scale rates. Sliding scale rates are generally offered to clients based on financial need.
Packages
Many marriage counselors offer reduced rates per session when a couple or client buys a bundle of sessions prior to the initial session. The higher number of sessions purchased, the greater the discount per session. When purchasing a bundle of sessions, be sure to ask whether there is an expiration date for the package purchased. Anna Fekete, for example, offers the following packages:
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Four individual sessions at 50 minutes each: $680 (= $10 discount per session)
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Eight individual sessions at 50 minutes each: $1,280 (= $20 discount per session)
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Four couple’s sessions at 60 minutes each: $900 (= $15 discount per session)
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Eight couple’s sessions at 60 minutes each: $1,680 (= $30 discount per session)
Remote sessions
Skype or phone sessions typically do not lower the per session rate because these sessions involve the same amount of the counselor’s time. If sessions are held at a client’s location, travel fees will most likely apply to account for travel time, mileage and other transportation costs.
Insurance
Not all marriage counselors accept insurance, although many who do not will still provide paperwork if the insurance carrier accepts out-of-network providers and the client wants to apply for reimbursement.
