FAQs

General Questions

What is couples counseling, and how can it help us?

Couples counseling is a form of therapy aimed at helping partners improve their relationship. It provides a safe space to address issues like communication breakdowns, trust concerns, and emotional disconnect. At Couples Thrive, we focus on strengthening your connection and equipping you with tools to navigate challenges together.

Is couples therapy only for relationships in crisis?

Not at all. While many seek therapy during challenging times, couples counseling is also beneficial for those looking to deepen their bond, prepare for significant life changes, or simply enhance their relationship dynamics. It’s a proactive step toward a healthier partnership.

Who can benefit from couples counseling at Couples Thrive?

We work with a diverse range of couples, including:

Those experiencing communication difficulties or feeling misunderstood.
Partners dealing with trust issues or seeking relationship repair.
Couples navigating life transitions, such as becoming new parents.
Individuals feeling anxious about the future of their relationship.
Those who have attempted to resolve issues independently without success.
Partners feeling their needs are unmet within the relationship.

Practical Considerations

What are your fees, and do you accept insurance?

A standard one-hour therapy session is $250. For detailed information on rates and payment options, please visit our Rates [&] Fees page. We offer various investment options to accommodate different needs.

Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for therapy?

Yes, you can typically use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for therapy services at Couples Thrive. Therapy is generally considered an eligible medical expense, but we recommend confirming with your plan provider to ensure coverage. We can provide any necessary documentation to support your reimbursement or payment process.

Do you take insurance?

Couples Thrive is an out-of-network provider, which means we do not bill insurance directly. However, many clients are able to receive partial reimbursement from their insurance company for out-of-network mental health services. We can provide a superbill (an itemized receipt) upon request, which you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. We encourage you to contact your insurer directly to ask about your out-of-network benefits for couples therapy.

Do both partners need to attend every session?

Ideally, both partners participate in sessions to address relational dynamics effectively. However, if one partner is hesitant, individual sessions can still be beneficial. We can strategize the best approach tailored to your situation.

What if my partner is reluctant to attend therapy?

It’s common for one partner to be more enthusiastic about therapy than the other. We encourage open communication about the benefits of counseling and are available to discuss any concerns your partner may have.

How long does couples counseling typically last?

The duration varies based on each couple’s unique needs and goals, but the average number of sessions to see improvement is 10. Some may find resolution in a few sessions, while others may engage in longer-term therapy. We will work collaboratively to determine the best plan for you.

Therapy Approach

What therapeutic methods do you use?

April Eldemire, our licensed Marriage [&] Family Therapist, utilizes the gold standard model for couples therapy, Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy. This evidence-based methodology is tailored to each couple’s specific challenges. Her approach is compassionate, results-driven, and grounded in the latest relationship research.

Do you offer virtual counseling sessions?

Yes, we provide both in-person sessions in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and virtual sessions to accommodate clients nationwide. Our goal is to make therapy accessible and convenient for all couples.

Do you work with same-sex couples?

Absolutely. Couples Thrive is committed to inclusivity and welcomes couples of all orientations and identities.

Do you offer premarital counseling?

Yes, we offer premarital counseling to help couples build a strong foundation before marriage. This includes addressing topics like communication, conflict resolution, and shared goals.

Can you help couples who are separated or considering divorce?

Yes, we work with couples at various stages of their relationship, including those who are separated or contemplating divorce. Therapy can provide clarity and support during these transitional periods.

Getting Started

How do we schedule an appointment?

You can schedule an appointment by visiting our Schedule An Appointment page. We offer options for both new and returning clients.

What should we expect in our first session?

The initial session is 90 minutes and involves discussing your relationship history, current challenges, and goals for therapy. It’s an opportunity for us to understand your unique dynamics and begin crafting a tailored approach to support your relationship.

What if we need more intensive support?

For couples requiring more focused attention, we offer Couples Therapy Intensives. These sessions provide an in-depth exploration of relationship issues in a condensed timeframe.

Marriage and Couples Therapy

What issues can couples therapy help with?

Couples therapy addresses communication breakdowns, emotional distance, infidelity, conflict resolution, and more. At Couples Thrive, we tailor therapy to help partners reconnect and navigate challenges with strategies that last.

Can couples therapy work if one partner isn’t fully committed?

Yes, though progress is more effective when both partners engage. Even if one person is hesitant, sessions can still reveal patterns and promote positive change.

How do we know if it’s time for therapy?

If you’re feeling stuck, misunderstood, or disconnected, it’s time. Therapy isn’t only for crises—it’s a proactive step toward growth and clarity.

Bringing Baby Home

How does having a baby affect a relationship?

New parenthood often strains communication and intimacy. Bringing Baby Home Therapy helps couples manage expectations, share responsibilities, and stay emotionally connected through the transition.

What is the Bringing Baby Home program?

It’s an evidence-based approach that prepares couples for the shift into parenthood, reducing stress and enhancing relationship satisfaction post-baby.

Can therapy help us prevent conflict after our baby arrives?

Yes. Addressing parenting roles, sleep schedules, and emotional needs early can prevent resentment and support a thriving partnership.

Pre-Baby/New Parent Counseling

Why seek therapy before having a baby?

Pre-baby counseling supports mental and emotional preparation for parenting. Couples can explore fears, align expectations, and strengthen their partnership.

What’s the difference between pre-baby and post-baby counseling?

Pre-baby therapy focuses on preparation and communication; post-baby sessions help with adjustment and coping strategies once the child arrives.

Can new parent counseling help with postpartum changes?

Yes, it supports both partners in adapting to physical, emotional, and relational shifts during the early months of parenting.

Pre-Marital Counseling

What is pre-marriage counseling?

Pre-marriage counseling is a form of therapy designed to help engaged or seriously committed couples strengthen their relationship before marriage. It focuses on developing communication skills, exploring expectations, and identifying potential areas of conflict to build a solid foundation for long-term partnership.

What do you talk about in premarital counseling?

Premarital counseling typically covers topics like communication styles, conflict resolution, finances, intimacy, roles and responsibilities, religious or cultural beliefs, and long-term goals. It also explores expectations around children, family involvement, and life transitions to help couples align before marriage. For parents-to-be, our Pre-Baby/New Parent Counseling may also be beneficial.

How effective is pre-marriage counseling?

Pre-marital counseling is highly effective in improving relationship satisfaction and reducing the risk of divorce. Studies show that couples who participate report stronger communication and greater emotional readiness for marriage.

Family Therapy

What problems does family therapy address?

Family therapy tackles communication issues, conflict, behavioral challenges, and emotional disconnect. It creates a safe space to resolve patterns affecting the whole unit.

Who should attend family therapy sessions?

That depends on the issue. Therapy may involve parents, children, or step-relatives—everyone directly impacted by the conflict or dynamic.

How does family therapy work at Couples Thrive?

We identify roles, communication patterns, and unresolved tension. Sessions guide families toward healthier boundaries, understanding, and cooperation.

Blended Family Therapy

What are common struggles in blended families?

Blended family challenges include loyalty conflicts, discipline disagreements, unclear parenting roles, and strained stepparent-child relationships. Therapy helps navigate these dynamics and promotes unity.

Can therapy help children adjust to a new stepparent?

Yes. Counseling provides a safe space for kids to express concerns and helps parents support them through transitions with empathy and structure.

How does therapy support stepparents and biological parents?

Blended family therapy provides guidance on shared parenting, emotional boundaries, and role clarity—reducing tension and promoting respect within the blended family system.

Divorce Therapy

How can therapy support post-divorce co-parenting?

Divorce therapy helps parents create respectful boundaries, improve communication, and develop parenting plans that center the child’s emotional needs.

Is divorce counseling helpful even if we’re ending things?

Absolutely. It eases the emotional toll of divorce and facilitates respectful communication, especially when children or shared responsibilities are involved.

How do I talk my partner into attending divorce therapy?

Focus on the emotional and logistical benefits: clarity, co-parenting, and closure. Offer to attend a single session together with no pressure for commitment.

Individual Therapy

Can individual therapy help improve my relationship?

Absolutely. Exploring your emotional triggers, communication style, and history in individual therapy can transform how you show up in your relationship.

What issues can I bring to individual therapy?

Anxiety, trauma, grief, self-esteem, life transitions, or relationship concerns —all are valid. Therapy supports self-awareness and growth.

Is it okay to see a couples therapist alone?

Yes. At Couples Thrive, we offer individual sessions for clients who want to work on relationship patterns independently or prepare for joint therapy.

Depression Therapy

How do I know if I need therapy for depression?

If you feel persistently low, withdrawn, unmotivated, or overwhelmed, depression therapy can help. We offer evidence-based treatment to support healing and resilience.

Can depression affect my relationship?

Yes. Depression impacts emotional availability, communication, and intimacy. Therapy helps you manage symptoms while supporting your relationship health.

What approach does Couples Thrive use for depression?

We tailor your care using approaches like CBT and Emotionally-Focused Therapy, addressing root causes and building emotional strength.

Grief and Loss Therapy

When should I seek therapy for grief?

There’s no timeline. If your grief feels heavy, isolating, or interferes with daily life, Grief and Loss Therapy can help you process loss in a supportive environment.

Can couples go to grief therapy together?

Yes. Joint sessions help partners navigate shared or individual loss, offering space to support each other and prevent emotional disconnection.

What does grief therapy focus on?

We explore emotions, memories, and meaning after loss—helping you move forward with compassion and healing at your own pace.

Remote Therapy

Is virtual couples therapy as effective as in-person?

Yes. With secure, HIPAA-compliant platforms and proven methods like Emotionally-Focused Therapy, remote sessions offer the same benefits and flexibility.

What do I need for online therapy?

A quiet space, stable internet, and a phone or laptop. We make virtual therapy convenient and accessible from anywhere.

Can we do a mix of virtual and in-person sessions?

Yes. Couples Thrive offers flexible scheduling to suit your needs—virtual, in-person, or a combination.

Couples Therapy Intensives

What happens during a Couples Therapy Intensive?

You’ll engage in extended sessions that address deep-rooted issues over a focused timeframe. It’s ideal for urgent challenges or those traveling in.

How is an intensive different from weekly therapy?

An intensive compresses months of progress into a day or weekend—perfect for couples needing rapid clarity or breakthrough.

Can therapy intensives save a failing relationship?

Therapy intensives can uncover critical insights and reset emotional connection, but long-term success depends on ongoing work and follow-up.

Same-Sex Couples Counseling

Do same-sex couples face unique relationship challenges?

Yes. Discrimination, family acceptance, and identity stressors can impact dynamics. Therapy provides an affirming space to address these issues together.

Is the approach different for LGBTQ+ couples?

Our core method—Emotionally-Focused Therapy—applies to all couples. We also integrate affirming practices specific to LGBTQ+ identities.

Do you work with non-binary or poly couples?

Yes. Couples Thrive is fully inclusive of diverse identities and relationship structures. We tailor care to your specific dynamic and goals.