Bridging The Gap Between Head And Heart
Effective Marriage Counseling and Couples TherapyYou long to feel connected to your partner.
After all, your partner is your best friend.
You just can’t seem to get through to them.
You’re tired of having the same argument again and again.
You’re tired of hearing them promise to change then… nothing.
You know that there has to be more to love than this. At least, you sure hope there is.
You deserve to have a happy marriage.
You deserve to have a partner who is attentive to your needs and desires.
It’s not that your partner is stupid. In fact, the opposite is true.
That’s what makes it so frustrating.
How can someone who is so brilliant be so dim when it comes to your relationship?
Well, in simplest terms: books, numbers, computers, even games are logical. They make sense.
Relationships? Not so much. At least, not yet.
And it frustrates your partner too. After all, they’re use to having the answer.
I help bridge the gap between the overly logical and their frustrated partners.
“You’re too emotional!” “Well, you’re not emotional enough!” Sound familiar?
I have worked with many clients who get stuck in their own heads.
They’re so afraid of “getting it wrong” that they do nothing at all. (Which infuriates their partners.)
And it’s not that they don’t care or don’t want to do what you’re asking.
It’s that they worry too much about doing it poorly.
Some people are so accustomed to success that they don’t know how to fail.
I can teach you how to speak each other’s language.
Who am I?
My name is Mark Cagle. (Pronouns: he/his/him)
I understand the frustration of being married to someone who is highly intelligent. (My wife tells me all the time.) I also know what’s going on in the mind of someone who “just doesn’t get it.”
I know that being a successful business-owner, prolific writer or researcher, computer whiz, numbers geek… doesn’t always equate to a thriving marriage.
In fact, it presents a unique set of challenges that not all therapists are equipped to handle. The last thing you want is to finally persuade your partner to seek therapy then have them become convinced that the therapist is just taking your side and doesn’t understand them.
I have the unique ability to see the issues from both sides.
I have dedicated my career to helping couples just like you and have attended countless hours of training in order to do just that.
But don’t just take my word for it- schedule your free consultation and find out for yourself.
But We’ve Tried Marriage Counseling Before…
Marriage Counseling with me is different:
1. Most therapists focus primarily on healing shame- on bringing the person who’s “one-down” or inferior up to level. I am just as concerned with bringing the “one-up” person down to level.
2. I’m not neutral or unbiased. I call a spade a spade. I take sides in order to restore balance. There are no “good guys” or “bad guys,” but there is definitely bad behavior.
3. It’s one thing to call out a person’s bad behavior, and some therapists are good at that. But that’s not enough. You need to teach people what they should be doing. Getting them to stop driving a wedge between themselves and their partner is one thing; showing them how to reconnect is another.
4. I don’t want you to stay in therapy forever. I help couples make swift and lasting changes in their relationships.
5. There are reasons we act the way we do in our intimate relationships, and I address these issues in session- in front of your partner. It’s about helping a person change their relationship to themselves as well as their partner.
6. Traditional therapists act like the expert in the room. I’m on this journey with you. The reason I know that the skills I’m teaching work is because they have helped me improve my own marriage, and I will share these experiences with you when appropriate.
7. Many couples therapists attempt to become the tie breaker during a couple’s conflict. They want to help the couple come to a single objective reality. The problem is that this doesn’t exist in personal relationships. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Who cares?
8. Empathy and validation are wonderful tools and necessary for effective therapy to take place. However, they’re not enough to make lasting change. I coach, confront, and teach my clients how to live relationally.
9. Relational mindfulness means being aware of where you are as well as where your partner is. I help couples meet in the middle- neither one-up nor one-down. Being able to meet each other as “same-as” is where true intimacy occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is Marriage Counseling?
There is no doubt that couples counseling is an investment in your relationship and its future, but it’s hard to say what that investment’s worth.
Some of the benefits of working with me include:
- Every couple starts with a two-hour intake. We dive right in. Neither of you have time to waste.
- Weekly 90-minute sessions until your goals are met. I want you to get the results you’re looking for as soon as possible.
- Convenient online scheduling and flexible hours- Can’t make the same appointment time each week? No problem.
- Saturday, early morning, and evening appointments to fit your busy schedule.
- Automatic appointment reminders, so you know when your next appointment is.
- Quick response to your emails and phone calls as well as secure messaging through the client portal.
- Check-ins between appointments available as I know this can be a difficult time.
- Flexible rescheduling- While I have a 24-hour cancellation policy, this is waived if you reschedule in the same week.
- Note: Does not apply to appointments after 6pm or Saturdays. Repeat offenses may incur the full fee.
The initial 2-hour intake: $375
Ongoing 90-minute sessions: $270
That may seem like a lot, but you’re not paying for therapy. You’re paying for results.
Why Do You Charge So Much?
I do charge more than many therapists in Dallas. So what is it that you’re paying for?
Well, I can tell you that you’re not paying me to sit there and nod my head.
You’re not paying me to say, “Poor baby…” and not offer you ways to transform your marriage.
What you are paying for is for me to be the best darn couples counselor that I can be.
Let’s face it: You’re not just paying for my time in the chair; you’re paying for my time outside as well.
Let me explain:
Many therapists charge a nominal fee for their services. (There are a wide range of reasons for this.) They then proceed to cram their schedule full of clients in order to make ends meet.
So you’re paying me NOT to work with 30-40 clients in a week.
I only work with a small group of clients at a time, so I can bring my best self into every single session.
You’re paying for my undivided attention while we’re in session because I’m not worried about how I’m going to pay my mortgage (or for the four weddings of my daughters some day…)
You’re also paying to allow me to take time outside of session to become a better therapist.
By paying me a little more than other therapists, you allow me to attend trainings, read books, and hone my skills as a couples therapist.
When you work with me, you’ll be on a journey to becoming a better partner; I’ll be on a journey to become a better guide for you.
And as my skills improve, my fee will go up. Even now, you’re getting a really good deal.
Do You Take Insurance?
The short answer is no. I don’t bill insurance companies directly and am considered an out-of-network provider.
This means that you are responsible for paying the fee for service at the time that it’s provided to you.
I can provide you with a special receipt called a Superbill which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
A few things you’ll want to check first:
- Does my policy cover marriage counseling? Not all policies do.
- Do I have out-of-network benefits? If so, what is the typical reimbursement rate?
- Do I have a deductible? Some plans don’t pay until you’ve hit your deductible- whether the provider is in-network or not.
I am more than happy to discuss this further during your free consultation.
Where Are You Located?
My office is conveniently located just off of Hillcrest and 635 with easy access from both 75 and the DNT.
6750 HIllcrest Plaza Dr #206
Dallas, TX 75230
*I also provide services online throughout the state of Texas (as well as to those local who prefer to avoid the commute).
Is Online Marriage Counseling As Good As In-Person?
Yes! You get all the benefits of effective marriage counseling without having to leave your home or office.
Plus, you don’t have to allocate time for travel or risk getting stuck in traffic.
Clients also say that being in the comfort of their own home makes it easier for them to open up.
Is Online Marriage Counseling Confidential?
Absolutely! All appointments occur through my online client portal which is HIPAA-compliant and secure.
All you have to do is click the link to join the session when it’s time to start. You can even do this from your smartphone or tablet, and there’s absolutely nothing to download.
Are The Sessions Recorded?
Nope! Whether online or in-person, no session content- whether video or audio- is stored or recorded.
Do You Offer Evening Appointments?
Yes. Evening and Saturday appointments are available to fit your busy life. Evening sessions do tend to fill up quickly, and many couples find ways to meet during the day.
Schedule your free consultation to find out how this might work for you and your partner.
Have More Questions?
Schedule your free 30 minute consultation now.