Mark Hollingshead, LGPC, Manan Sharma, LGPC, Brandon Brumskill, LCPC, Hannah Bricker, LMSW, Noah Hughes-Dunn, LGSW, and Audrey Schreiber, LMSW, offer couples counseling through Takoma Therapy. Couples counseling provides a non-judgmental, distraction free space to explore challenges, identify strengths, and gain a deeper understanding of your relationship.

Our therapists will work with you to discover patterns in your relationship that leave you feeling angry, disconnected, lonely, and hopeless. Our therapists will help you navigate significant life transitions and challenges, strengthening your relationship and fostering resilience. Through counseling, you and your partner can develop healthier patterns of interaction and emotional connection.

Couples counseling is not covered by insurance and is not the same as family therapy. The fee is $210 per session, and all sessions are 55-60 minutes. If you have additional questions about couples counseling with one of our therapists, please contact our Intake Coordinator, Kendal Edwards at intake@takomatherapy.com.

FAQ's about Couples Therapy and Insurance: What You Need to Know

At Takoma Therapy, we know how important it is to nurture and strengthen your relationship. Seeking couples therapy is a big step, and we’re here to support you. One common question we hear is whether insurance covers couples counseling. While we wish it were more accessible, the reality is that most insurance plans do not cover relationship-focused therapy.

Why Doesn’t Insurance Cover Couples Therapy?

Insurance companies base their coverage on medical necessity, meaning they only cover therapy that treats a diagnosed mental health condition. Since couples therapy focuses on improving the relationship rather than treating a specific disorder in one person, it doesn’t fit the insurance model of care. Here’s why:

Why Does Insurance Require a Mental Health Diagnosis?

For therapy to be covered, a therapist must diagnose an individual with a mental health condition (such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD). The treatment plan must focus on managing that condition, and the therapy provided needs to align with the diagnosis.

In couples therapy, however, the focus isn’t on diagnosing or treating one individual. Instead, it’s about improving communication, resolving conflict, and strengthening the relationship. Since insurance companies don’t consider relationship struggles a medical disorder, they don’t provide coverage.

Why Aren't Relationship Issues Considered a "Medical Condition"?

While relationship challenges can cause significant stress, they aren’t classified as medical conditions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is the standard used for diagnosis in mental health care. Without a recognized diagnosis, insurance won’t approve coverage for couples counseling.

What’s the Difference Between Family Therapy vs. Couples Therapy?

Some insurance plans mention coverage for “Family Therapy,” but the definition of "family" varies between providers. Many policies only cover family therapy when it’s part of an individual’s treatment plan for a mental health condition.

For example, if one partner has severe anxiety and their therapist includes the other partner in sessions as part of their treatment, insurance might cover it under family therapy. However, if the sessions are purely focused on relationship dynamics, they likely won’t be covered.

Why Do Insurance Companies Limit Treatment Based on "Medical Necessity"?

Even when insurance does cover therapy, it often limits the number of sessions or requires therapists to prove ongoing medical necessity. This can interfere with the therapeutic process, as relationship counseling isn’t about treating an illness, it’s about building a healthier partnership.

Why is Couples Therapy Considered "Elective"?

Because couples therapy is focused on improving relationships rather than treating a medical condition, insurance companies classify it as elective or non-essential care, similar to how they don’t cover things like career coaching, life coaching, or financial counseling, even though these services can greatly improve well-being.

We know navigating insurance can feel overwhelming, and we encourage you to check with your provider for clarity.

What This Means for You

Because insurance does not typically cover couples therapy, this means that you will need to pay for sessions out of pocket. We understand that this can feel like a barrier, but many couples find that therapy is a worthwhile investment in their relationship and overall well-being.

Paying privately also means that your therapy is not dictated by insurance restrictions. There’s no need for a mental health diagnosis, no limits on the number of sessions, and no insurance company reviewing your records. This allows you, your partner, and your therapist to focus fully on your relationship without outside interference.

We’re Here to Help

“Love is an action, never simply a feeling.”  bell hooks

We bring our hurt, pain, and unresolved conflict into our relationships, but we also bring joy, creativity, and the possibility of deep connection. We become witnesses to each other’s lives, learning both the wonderful things about our partners and the parts we’d sometimes rather not see. Our most intense emotions are often tied to the people we love: when we fall in love, when we feel abandoned, when we’re trying to find our way back to each other. When challenges arise, it’s important to pay attention. What starts as a small ache can grow into a wide, aching disconnection.

Couples therapy offers a way through. It helps us slow down, get honest, and rebuild emotional connection with intention. It isn’t about blame or figuring out who is right. It is about creating a relationship where both people feel seen, supported, and grounded. This work takes courage, especially when you’re investing out of pocket, but the return is real. A stronger, more resilient partnership can hold the hard times and make room for joy.

When we do this work, we’re not just tending to our individual relationships. We are contributing to something larger. Healthier partnerships lead to healthier families and stronger communities. In many ways, showing up for our relationships is a form of community care. And for those of us carrying generational pain or patterns, it can also be an act of healing legacy. We interrupt what no longer serves us and make space for something better to grow.

If you’re considering therapy, we invite you to reach out. We’re happy to answer questions, help you explore options, and talk through what this kind of support could look like. Your relationship is worth the time, the care, and the investment. We would be honored to walk alongside you.

‍

We've created a useful Guide to Understanding Insurance and Therapy, click the link to read more.

‍

Cancellations

Cancellations require 24 hour advance notice. Late cancellations (less than 24 hours notice) will be charged a $55 cancellation fee. If the appointment is not cancelled in advance, the full session fee will be charged.