Couples Counseling
Support for anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and emotional wellbeing.
Healthy relationships require communication, trust, and the ability to work through challenges together. Couples counseling provides a structured, neutral space to better understand one another, strengthen your relationship, and navigate difficult seasons with the guidance of a trained therapist.
At Journey Counseling Center, we believe couples counseling should reflect the unique nature of relationship work. That philosophy influences not only how therapy is provided, but also how it is documented and billed.
How Couples Counseling Is Different
Couples counseling is different from individual therapy in one important way: the relationship becomes the primary focus of treatment.
Rather than representing one partner over the other, the therapist works to support the relationship while remaining neutral and helping both individuals work toward shared goals. Clinical decisions are made based on what is in the best interest of the relationship as a whole, while also respecting the needs of each individual.
Because the focus of treatment is different, couples counseling is documented differently than individual psychotherapy.
Our Approach to Insurance Billing
Health insurance is designed to cover medically necessary treatment for an individual’s diagnosed mental health condition.
When the primary focus of therapy is the relationship rather than treating one person’s mental health condition, insurance generally does not consider those services medically necessary for reimbursement. In most cases, couples counseling is documented using relationship-related Z codes, which are typically not billable to insurance.
There is ongoing discussion within the mental health profession about how couples counseling should be documented and billed. Some practices choose to diagnose one partner and bill that individual’s insurance while addressing relationship concerns during treatment.
At Journey Counseling Center, our philosophy is different.
When the primary focus of therapy is the relationship, we believe the clinical record, diagnosis, treatment plan, and billing should accurately reflect the service being provided. For that reason, we generally do not assign a mental health diagnosis to one partner solely for the purpose of obtaining insurance reimbursement for couples counseling.
In the uncommon circumstance that the treating therapist determines insurance billing is clinically appropriate because treatment is focused on an individual’s diagnosable mental health condition, that recommendation will be discussed with you before any claims are submitted.
Fees and Payment
Because couples counseling is generally not covered by insurance, these services are offered as self-pay.
Couples Counseling Fee: $200 per session
Before services begin, you’ll receive a Good Faith Estimate, as required by federal law for self-pay healthcare services. This document explains the expected cost of your care so there are no surprises.
Current Availability
Couples counseling is currently offered on a very limited basis through one clinician at Journey Counseling Center.
Because of limited availability, we are often unable to accept new couples counseling clients. When we are unable to accommodate a request, we’re happy to provide referrals to trusted providers who specialize in couples and marriage counseling.
If you’re interested in couples counseling, you’re welcome to contact us to discuss current availability before scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't insurance usually cover couples counseling?
Insurance is generally intended to cover medically necessary treatment for an individual’s diagnosed mental health condition. Because couples counseling focuses on the relationship, it often does not meet an insurance plan’s criteria for reimbursement.
Can we use one partner's insurance?
Not typically. When the relationship is the focus of treatment, we generally do not bill one partner’s insurance solely to obtain reimbursement. If your therapist believes your situation is an exception, they will discuss this with you before treatment begins.
Will we receive a Good Faith Estimate?
Yes. Because couples counseling is typically self-pay, you’ll receive a Good Faith Estimate outlining the expected cost of your services before treatment begins.
Are you accepting new couples counseling clients?
Couples counseling is currently available on a very limited basis through one clinician. We encourage you to contact us to discuss current availability. If we are unable to accommodate your request, we’ll gladly provide referrals to other qualified providers.