SepticChange

From reading people's stories I also find a lot of responses include "seek therapy." It sounds easier said than done and fairly expensive if you visit more than once which I know is required to help improve a marriage. What about those who lack the funds to do it? Doesn't sound like something insurance companies would cover.

sisters359

A lot of insurance plans will cover some part of marriage counseling, just as they cover other types of counseling. Also, you can find less expensive providers who charge on a sliding scale--look into city and/or county resources and other non-profits.

But how much does it cost? A LOT less than a divorce. Really.

You can go to counseling at a rate you can afford, but ideally no less than 1x/month. I personally believe it is worth going into debt for b/c the consequences of not doing it are so costly in both the emotional and financial sense.

good luck.

Mavash.

We paid $100 an hour and at the time my insurance didn't cover it. Took about 6 months to put our marriage back on track so roughly $3K??? Probably less but you get the idea. Oh and our marriage was better after 5 sessions.

That's way cheaper than a divorce.

MC turned into IC for me afterwards (seems I was the problem in the marriage). I just sucked it up and found a way to pay for it. I still go but insurance pays for it now.

bribrius

My insurance covers it. Ten sessions free and after the ten twenty dollar copays.

SepticChange

In all honesty 3k sounds a little excessive. I wouldn't rely completely on marriage counseling but I just wouldn't go if it cost that much. I make less than 30K a year...ain't happening.

By the way, I don't need to go...just for future reference in the event that it does happen.

SepticChange

Wow that's not bad at all!

Mavash.

We were making $60K at the time and I was a nutjob. I needed all that therapy he didn't.

I'm all better now.

SepticChange

I'm glad it helped. It's definitely worth it sometimes.

Drover

If you can't afford it or don't have insurance to cover it, look for organizations in your area that offer sliding scale services. I'm paying $40/hour here.

Racer

Hmmm... our first one who was a doctor cost $200/session... So, we wasted a couple thousand. Wasn't the doc's fault, it was my wife's because she chose to lie and omit through the whole thing. The advice is only as good as the information given.

The second one was just a councelor. Covered by insurance so we just had a $25 co-pay. She sucked... I still call her 'the parrot'...

SepticChange

Hmmm

that_girl

My insurance does unlimited sessions for $20 bucks a pop.

Leahcar1985

We just went to a couple and they were free. No license, but the best 2 hours my husband and I have committed to the issue in our marriage since the problem started.
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COguy

Also you can check universities that offer counseling programs. There's one here that charges $0-35 depending on your income. It's cheap because you get a student counselor who needs therapy hours, but if you don't get a good one you can ask for a new person. It's hit or miss but it won't break the bank.

Rowan

Our marriage counselor charged $85/hour, but we paid $50/hour after insurance. My best friend is a family therapist and charges $100/hour, which is upper-average for our area. She also takes a few sliding-scale and pro bono clients at a time. She tells me that most counselors are not at all offended when people call to ask about rates, what insurance is accepted by the practice, what issues the counselors are experienced in handling, and what methods they use. Some counselors don't take insurance due to the headaches involved in handling claims, but it's just fine to ask and no one is offended if you pick someone else based on coverage or price.

There is also the option of religious counselor. Many houses of worship offer counseling to not only their congregants, but others as well. As with any counselor, shop around for one who has experience helping couples with whatever your particular issue is, and move on if it becomes clear that it's not a good fit. These types of sessions are often fairly cheap, and may even be free.