How Much Does Couples Therapy Cost in 2026?

Last updated: December 2025

The Short Answer

Couples therapy costs between $80 and $250 per session for in-person therapy, depending on where you live and your therapist’s credentials. Online therapy platforms run $200-400 per month. Relationship apps cost $10-30 per month.

Most couples attend 12-20 sessions, putting the total cost of traditional therapy somewhere between $1,000 and $5,000.

Here’s the full breakdown.

In-Person Couples Therapy Costs

Traditional face-to-face therapy with a licensed professional remains the most expensive option.

Typical price range: $80-250 per session

What affects the price:

Real-world examples:

• New York City, PhD psychologist: $200-350/session
• Small-town USA, community counselor: $75-125/session
• Madrid, licensed therapist: €70-120/session
• London, private practice: £100-200/session

Total cost estimate: At one session per week for 16 weeks (a typical course of therapy), expect to pay $1,280-4,000.

The Hidden Costs

The session fee isn’t everything. Factor in:

• Travel time and transport: Getting to appointments costs time and money
• Time off work: Most therapists work business hours
• Childcare: If you have kids, someone needs to watch them
• Cancellation fees: Miss a session with less than 24-48 hours notice and you’ll likely pay anyway

Online Couples Therapy Costs

Platforms like Regain, Talkspace, and BetterHelp offer therapy via video, phone, or messaging with licensed therapists.

Typical price range: $200-400 per month

Pros over in-person:

• No travel time or costs
• More scheduling flexibility
• Often cheaper per month than weekly in-person sessions
• Can message your therapist between sessions

Cons:

• Still requires scheduling and showing up
• Video sessions can feel less personal
• Subscription model means paying even during good weeks
• Therapist matching can be hit-or-miss

Total cost estimate: 4-6 months of online therapy runs $960-2,400.

Relationship Apps and Self-Help Costs

The most affordable tier. These range from guided exercises to AI-assisted coaching.

Typical price range: $10-30 per month

What apps can do:

• Provide structure for difficult conversations
• Teach communication skills
• Help during or after conflicts (some apps)
• Build daily relationship habits

What apps can’t do:

• Replace professional help for serious issues
• Mediate abuse situations
• Treat clinical mental health conditions
• Force an unwilling partner to engage

Total cost estimate: A year of app-based support costs $120-360. Less than two sessions of traditional therapy.

What Actually Affects the Price

1. Where You Live

Geography is the biggest cost driver. Therapy in Manhattan costs 2-3x what it costs in rural Ohio. European prices vary similarly between London and smaller cities.

2. Therapist Credentials

More letters after their name generally means higher fees:

• Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT/MFT): Mid-range pricing
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): Similar to MFT
• Psychologist (PhD/PsyD): Higher fees
• Certified Gottman Therapist: Premium pricing, specialized training
• Psychiatrist (MD): Highest fees, can prescribe medication

3. Session Length

Standard sessions run 45-50 minutes. Some therapists offer extended 75-90 minute sessions, especially for couples work. Longer sessions cost more but you may need fewer of them.

4. Specialization

Therapists who specialize in specific issues (infidelity recovery, sex therapy, pre-marital counseling) often charge premium rates.

How to Pay Less for Couples Therapy

Check Your Insurance

Some health insurance plans cover couples therapy, but coverage varies wildly. Questions to ask your provider:

• Is couples/marriage counseling covered?
• Does my partner need to be on my plan?
• How many sessions per year?
• Do I need a referral?
• Which therapists are in-network?

Reality check: Many plans don’t cover couples therapy unless one partner has a diagnosed mental health condition. And many good couples therapists don’t take insurance at all.

Ask About Sliding Scale

Many therapists offer reduced rates based on income. This isn’t advertised, so you have to ask. A typical sliding scale might offer 20-50% off for qualifying clients.

Use Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

If your employer offers an EAP, you may get 3-8 free counseling sessions. These are often underused. The quality varies, but it’s worth checking before paying out of pocket.

Consider Training Clinics

University programs that train therapists often have clinics where you can see supervised graduate students at heavily reduced rates ($20-50/session). The therapists are less experienced but closely supervised by licensed professionals.

Try Apps First

For everyday conflicts and communication issues, relationship apps can help you make progress at a fraction of therapy costs. If you work through the easier stuff on your own, you’ll need fewer expensive therapy sessions for the harder stuff.

Is Couples Therapy Worth the Cost?

The honest answer: it depends on what you’re dealing with.

Therapy is probably worth it for:

• Infidelity recovery
• Recurring destructive patterns you can’t break
• Communication breakdowns that have lasted months or years
• Considering separation and wanting clarity
• Situations involving mental health conditions
• When one or both partners experienced trauma

Therapy might be overkill for:

• Learning better communication skills
• Working through a specific recent conflict
• Building better daily habits
• Couples who are basically healthy but want to improve
• When you need help at 10pm on a Tuesday, not next Thursday at 3pm

The research shows about 70% of couples benefit from therapy when they actually go. The problem is cost and access keep many couples from going at all, or from going early enough when issues are more fixable.

Alternatives at Every Budget

Free

• Library books: Gottman’s books, Sue Johnson’s “Hold Me Tight”
• YouTube: Gottman Institute, The School of Life
• Podcasts: Where Should We Begin (Esther Perel)
• EAP sessions: If your employer offers them

Under $15/month

• Relationship apps: LoveFix, Lasting, Paired
• Structured workbooks: Many available for $15-30

$50-150/month

• Group workshops: Sometimes offered by therapists or community centers
• Online courses: Gottman’s online programs, Hold Me Tight online

$200-400/month

• Online therapy platforms: Regain, Talkspace, BetterHelp

$400+/month

• Weekly in-person therapy: Licensed professional in private practice
• Intensive retreats: 2-3 day immersive programs ($2,000-5,000 total)

A Middle Path: Apps + Therapy

Here’s something worth considering: you don’t have to choose just one approach.

Many couples use affordable tools like LoveFix for day-to-day conflict repair and communication practice, then see a therapist monthly or as-needed for deeper work. This hybrid approach can cut therapy costs by 50-75% while still giving you professional support when you need it.

Think of it like fitness: you don’t need a personal trainer every day. You need one to check your form periodically while you do the daily work yourself.

When to Skip the Cost Comparison and Just Get Help

Some situations aren’t about finding the cheapest option. Get professional help immediately if:

• There’s any physical violence or abuse
• One partner is in active addiction
• There’s serious depression or suicidal thoughts
• Children are being harmed or neglected
• You’re both so checked out that daily tools won’t cut it

Cost matters, but some situations need a professional, full stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sessions of couples therapy will we need?

Most couples attend 12-20 sessions. Some issues resolve faster (6-8 sessions); others take longer (6+ months). Your therapist should give you a rough timeline after the first few sessions.

Is online couples therapy as effective as in-person?

Research shows comparable outcomes for many issues. The convenience means couples often attend more consistently, which improves results. But some people strongly prefer the in-person connection.

Can I do couples therapy alone if my partner won’t go?

Yes, but it’s different. A therapist can help you work on your side of the dynamic, improve your responses, and decide what you want. It’s not the same as both partners working together, but it’s not useless either.

Are relationship apps a real substitute for therapy?

For serious clinical issues, no. For communication skills, conflict repair, and daily relationship maintenance, apps can be genuinely helpful. Many couples find that working through an app first helps them get more out of therapy later, because they’ve already built basic skills.

Does insurance cover relationship apps?

Generally no. Apps like LoveFix, Lasting, and Paired are paid out of pocket. The upside is there’s no paperwork, no diagnosis required, and no insurance company knowing your business.

The Bottom Line

Couples therapy costs real money. In-person therapy runs $80-250 per session, adding up to $1,000-5,000 for a typical course of treatment. Online platforms cost $200-400 monthly. Apps cost $10-30 monthly.

The right choice depends on what you’re dealing with. Serious issues need professional help regardless of cost. For everyday conflicts and communication growth, more affordable options can work well, either on their own or combined with occasional therapy sessions.

The worst option? Doing nothing because therapy seems too expensive. Relationship problems tend to get worse, not better, when ignored. Whatever your budget, something is better than nothing.

A Different Approach: LoveFix

If you’re looking for immediate and affordable help during conflicts specifically, LoveFix takes a different approach.

Why Couples Choose LoveFix

For the 3am fight: When you need help NOW, not next Thursday at 4pm.

For the repair, not the diagnosis: Built on Gottman’s research—the same science that predicts relationship success with 94% accuracy.

For privacy: Work on your relationship without explaining your problems to a stranger.

For the philosophy: We don’t just fix what’s broken. We believe your relationship’s cracks can become its strongest, most beautiful parts (kintsugi).

Ready to transform your conflicts into connection? At LoveFix, we believe every couple can learn the art of beautiful repair. Try our guided conflict resolution sessions and discover how your cracks can become your gold.

At the time of this article we are offering up to two free sessions on new accounts.

Join now and choose repair.