Online Marriage Counseling

During our consultation, we will talk about your goals for marriage counseling. Then, we will determine whether online marriage counseling is right for you and your partner.

Once we’ve determined that we are a good fit and want to work together, we’ll schedule your first appointment. This appointment is a two-hour intake. I’ll walk you through the process of getting started before the appointment and answer any questions you might have. Honestly, if you’re comfortable using technology, the transition to online marriage counseling is easy.

Is Online Marriage Counseling as Effective as In-person?

When I first offered online marriage counseling, I was skeptical that it would have the same effects as face-to-face sessions. I was concerned that it would seem impersonal and disconnected.

But, I was wrong. What I found as I began offering couples therapy and marriage counseling online was oftentimes it was even easier for clients to settle into therapy. I believe this is because couples were more comfortable in their own homes. They weren’t frazzled by having to set aside time for the commute to and from my office.

Instead, they were able to focus their time and attention on the work we were doing together.

Research has shown that online therapy is just as effective as meeting in person. So far, most of the research has focused on individual therapy. The research on online marriage counseling is ongoing. However, the results appear just as promising and are showing that online couples therapy can help couples improve their relationship.

Based on my personal observations, online marriage counseling is just as effective for my clients, and I have a pretty mixed practice- both online and in person.

The service that I use to provide online marriage therapy is like Skype and FaceTime. One key difference is that it’s encrypted and secure (HIPAA compliant). When we decide that we’re a good fit and want to work together, I’ll email you a link to your secure client portal.

On the client portal you’ll complete your intake paperwork and have access to your virtual waiting room. Additionally, you’ll receive the link in an email 24 hours before your appointment if you “opt-in” for email reminders.

At the time of your session, you simply click on the link to connect directly with me. You can even join from your smartphone. You just download the app and log in.

Do My Partner and I Have to Be in the Same Place to Receive Online Marriage Counseling?

No. I have a lot of clients who travel for business or leisure. One of the benefits of online marriage counseling is that you can connect with me from virtually anywhere. (See what I did there?)

It gets a bit messy when you’re crossing state lines, but as long as you both live in the state of Texas I can provide services to you. Certain states are pickier than others when it comes to providing services. So I’ll have to check out the laws in that state if you’re wanting to receive marriage counseling while you’re outside the state of Texas.

I also have the option of working with clients internationally. Most countries outside of the United States don’t have any restrictions on online therapy.

What if Our Power or Internet Goes Out Unexpectedly During Our Online Marriage Counseling?

Living in North Texas, this isn’t something that’s just plausible, it’s probable. When my clients have had issues maintaining a stable connection, we have switched to telephonic sessions. Though I personally prefer video to voice, having a counseling session over the phone can be helpful in a pinch.

In general, here are a few things that you can do to establish the best possible connection for online marriage counseling:

• If possible, use a webcam enabled desktop or laptop connected through a hard line (not wifi).
• If you’re using wifi, it may be helpful to be closer to the router for a stronger signal.
• Close all of your open tabs in your browser as they may be utilizing network resources.
• Close all unnecessary applications and programs as well.

Is Online Marriage Counseling Covered by Insurance?

Most insurance plans do not cover marriage counseling. They cover “family psychotherapy with patient present.” Many insurance plans do not cover online therapy.

To check to see if you are eligible for reimbursement (as I am out-of-network), call your insurance company directly. Ask them if your policy covers marriage counseling as well as online therapy. You’ll also want to ask if you have out-of-network benefits and whether you have a deductible that needs to be met.

To find out more about my fees and insurance, click here.

How Much Does Online Marriage Counseling Cost?

The investment for online marriage counseling is the same as coming into my office. You’re paying for my time, not for how we communicate.

I have some couples who will occasionally come to in-person therapy sessions even if they are completing a majority of their sessions online. I’m in my office either way, so it makes no difference to me.

What many of my clients have found is that getting marriage help online actually saves them money compared to traditional face-to-face counseling. They only have to have childcare for the time they’re in session, and they have to take less time away from their job.

Each couple starts with a two-hour intake which is $500. Then, we typically meet weekly for 90 minutes, and those sessions are $335.

Numbers without context are often not very helpful. So, click here to learn more about my fees and what you will get when you come to counseling with me.