Couples Coaching vs. Counseling: Finding the Right Fit
Both coaching and counseling are powerful ways to improve a relationship, but they serve different purposes. Think of it like physical health: sometimes you need a doctor to heal an injury, and sometimes you need a trainer to build strength.
Counseling (Therapy) is excellent for deep healing. It provides a clinical space to navigate past traumas, mental health concerns, or deep-rooted emotional wounds. It is the best path when a relationship needs to heal before it can move forward. Counselors and therapists are licensed by the state and some take insurance.
Coaching (My Role) is about building skills. I work with couples who are ready to take action but need tools and assistance. We focus on the present and the future, developing strategies to communicate better, connect deeper, and navigate life as a team. Coaches like me can be certified by various institutions but not licensed. Coaches do not accept insurance.
How do you know which one you need?
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Consider a Therapist if: You are navigating significant conflict, crisis, or past trauma. If the relationship feels unsafe, fragile, or severely damaged; therapy provides the necessary clinical support to stabilize and heal.
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Consider Coaching if: You have a solid foundation but feel stuck in recurring loops. You are ready to work on how you interact, set goals for your future, and learn practical methods to strengthen your bond.
How We Work Together
The goal of our work is to help you and your partner build a stronger, more satisfying relationship. During our sessions, I won't just sit back and nod. I serve as a referee to keep things fair, a strategist to help you plan, and a pragmatist to keep your goals realistic.
My job is to empower both of you to speak and listen effectively so we can work toward the kind of relationship you both want.
Investment & Timeline
Because coaching focuses on relationship strategy rather than medical treatment, insurance does not cover these sessions.
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Single Session: $80 (1 hour)
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Commitment Rate: $60 per session (when booking 3 sessions)
The Three-Session Foundation Relationship challenges rarely appear overnight, and neither do the solutions. This is why I recommend a minimum of three sessions. It provides a realistic timeframe for us to move from simply identifying problems to actually solving them.
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Session 1 (The Baseline): Establishing the relationship dynamic and discussing goals.
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Session 2 (The Discovery): Identifying roadblocks, root patterns, and unique triggers.
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Session 3 (The Action Plan): Implementing personalized strategies to improve communication and planning next steps.
Three sessions is usually enough to feel a shift. By the end of third, you will know if this approach is working for you and can decide together on next steps.
Still wondering if coaching is right for your relationship? I'd be happy to provide a no-cost (up to) 15 minute phone or video consultation. Just text "Couples Coaching" to 844-442-6824 and we can discuss.
I look forward to working with you.
Nathaniel
Coach and Co-Founder of The Help Couch