Atlanta Marriage Counseling

At Fava Counseling Associates, couples will come in for their first therapy session together.  The therapist will get to know you as a couple and learn what the current issue is.  Next, each partner will get additional time to tell their side of the story and share personal history during an individual session.  During this individual session, the therapist will also learn more about your family/upbringing, other significant relationships, your commitment level to the relationship, and your hopes and goals for therapy.  

Your therapist may have you fill out an online assessment about the relationship that gives helpful information and diagnostics as to the strengths and growth areas in your relationship.  

Going forward, almost all sessions will be with both partners.  The therapist will lay out a blueprint for your work together which may include homework assignments to practice outside of sessions. This will be based on the information gathered from the first couples and individual sessions and will be tailored to your specific relationship goals and presenting concerns.

If you notice any of the following in your relationship, couples counseling might be just what you need:

• Increase in fights/nasty conflict
• Feelings of loneliness, disconnection, or emotional withdrawal
• Lack of physical intimacy
• Inability to solve problems together
• Financial management issues
• Infidelity, abuse, or addiction
• Feeling that you’re growing apart or don’t share the same values/goals
• Issues around raising children/parenting
• Lack of support from your spouse
• Trouble with trust
• Issues with in-laws or other family members
• Stress because of phase of life changes (birth of first child, career changes, etc.)

There are other reasons couples seek help, too, including prevention.  Even if nothing has happened, relationships can slowly decline if there is no intentional effort to improve them.  Couples therapy can help ensure your relationship stays strong and healthy. It can enhance an already good relationship, and help it be even better!  Many couples wait too long to seek help, so if you find yourself struggling or unhappy, don’t wait to reach out.

Cost varies depending on the therapist, but you can expect to pay between $100-200 per 50-minute session.  Your therapist may offer 80-minute sessions if needed, and these often cost more.  All our therapists offer a reduced fee if finances are an issue.

It is hard to predict how long the process may take since each couple is unique, but you can expect anywhere from three months to up to a year.  You may start off with weekly sessions and gradually move to every other week or once a month.  Change takes time, and we encourage couples to be patient in this process. Talk to your therapist about your goals for couples therapy as you are first getting started, and they will help you track and determine when your goals have been achieved.

If you find yourself unhappy in the relationship, are considering leaving, feel helpless about an issue, or are interested in devoting time to deepening your relationship, couples therapy could be beneficial.  We believe that every person deserves to be in a healthy and loving relationship, and we’d love to help you in achieving that goal.