☝🏻 Quick start guide: Couples therapy costs - Complete overview of all costs
Professional support can often help surprisingly quickly. But how much does couples therapy cost? And what forms of couples therapy are there?
Traditional in-person couples therapy? Marriage counseling at a counseling center? Family therapy? Individual coaching? Online couples therapy or counseling ? - What's right for me?
For all those who are struggling with acute relationship problems and are looking for sound support, we have created an overview in this blog article.
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How much does couples therapy cost? How much does relationship coaching cost?
Information is usually available on the homepage of the respective therapist or 'provider'.
In principle, unlike individual therapy sessions, which are reimbursed by health insurance companies for mental health diagnoses, there is no fixed fee for couples therapy or relationship coaching .
The costs of couples therapy usually have to be borne by the couples themselves.
Each couples therapist is free to set their own prices. Therefore, it is not possible to give a general figure for what couples therapy should cost or what the specific costs per therapy session will be.
Typically, couples undergoing couples therapy on-site, i.e., in the therapist's treatment rooms, should expect costs of between approximately 100 euros and 200 euros per session .
Depending on the method and the personal focus of the couple therapist, a session usually lasts 50, 60 or 90 minutes ; sometimes double sessions, i.e., two sessions in succession, of 120 minutes each, are offered.
In traditional in-person couples therapy, most couples typically require 8-18 sessions , resulting in costs ranging from approximately € 800 to €3,600 . Many therapists offer preferred double sessions, which are correspondingly more expensive but are perceived as more efficient by some therapists and clients.
Since both partners in 'traditional couples therapy' already have to free up a larger time slot for joint counseling (including travel time), double sessions can be advantageous for purely logistical reasons. When the time pressure is reduced during the sessions themselves, even more reserved individuals usually find it easier to settle in before getting to the heart of the matter.
The various methods, such as systemic couple therapy or, in comparison, emotion -focused couple therapy (EFT), do not differ fundamentally in terms of cost.
Many therapists bill according to the fee schedule for psychological psychotherapists and child and adolescent psychotherapists (GOP).
Overview of the different forms of couples therapy / couples counseling & their respective costs
Forms of couple therapy | Approximate costs | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
Initial consultation | 0 - 150 € | Some therapists offer free or discounted initial consultations. | cell |
Traditional on-site | €90 - €200 / hour | The 'energy' and setting are usually best in a face-to-face session; no distractions . | Additional logistical effort; |
By phone or video | €80 - €150 per hour | You save travel time, parking searches, etc.; | The 'energy' of an in-person meeting is lost; |
Online coaching program | €40-80 per month | Temporal and spatial flexibility; | No (or very limited) individual support |
Blended counseling | €80–200 per live session (depending on phone/video/in-person) + €10–30 per supplementary online session | The respective advantages of both offers are mutually reinforcing; demonstrably the most effective treatment method with the greatest and most stable results. | Higher costs & longer time investment (for a limited period) |
Books, e-books, etc. | 0 – 20 € | Temporal and spatial flexibility; | Static content with limited individual customization; |
Webinar | 0 – 150 € | Time and location flexibility; often short videos of the consultants can be found on the internet ("I already know who that is"). | Depending on the number of participants, no or only limited personal customization is possible. |
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Couple counseling at charitable and church-run institutions in your area
Institutions with a church sponsor often offer couples counseling free of charge (or on a donation basis).
However, the scope of the consultation is limited in some cases.
You can find counselling centers near you, for example, here: www.paarbalance.de/notfalladressen-mediation
Find the right advice in a targeted way
In addition to free or donation-based services, there are numerous qualified couples counselors who can provide individual support. Through besser:lieben, you can find professional help – online or in person. Thanks to the search function, you can specifically select the counseling that suits you and your situation.
Cost & Time Comparison for Relationship Help
Compare different options and discover which relationship support is best for you.
Couples therapy on site
PaarBalance Online
Online couples therapy via video
Free webinars from couples therapists
Our two couple therapists, Dr. Judith Gastner & Prof. Dr. Ludwig Schindler , regularly offer (usually once a month) a free webinar to strengthen love and improve relationship management.
The partnership webinar lasts approximately 90 minutes. You can participate alone or together with your partner from the comfort of your own home.
All important information and the option to register directly can be found at www.paarbalance.de/beziehungs-webinar
Free e-books from couples therapists
For all couples or partners who enjoy reading, we recommend the two free e-books from our PaarBalance couple therapists:
" Forgiving infidelity: These steps will help you get out of the crisis "
"Rekindling the Love: The 3 Best Tips from Couples Therapy "
Other free support options
Furthermore, you can of course also use the following methods to obtain further helpful information:
- Search for relevant videos on YouTube.
- Using moderated internet forums on relationship topics
- Listen to podcasts (e.g., "Is this normal?" at Zeit Online).
Conclusion: You must inform yourself individually about which offer is most suitable for you personally.
Only you can decide which criteria have what weight for you in your current life situation:
- What information is available regarding waiting times ? (Days? Weeks? Months? Is it possible to start immediately (even with an online offer)?)
- Are there any guidelines regarding the scope of the consultation ?
(Do we need to agree on a specific number beforehand to determine the number of units to be booked? Is it decided on a case-by-case basis whether and when to continue?)
- How much time should I allow per session ? (How long does a live appointment take, including travel time? How long does an online session take?)
- What costs will I/we incur?
(Is the consultation free of charge, or how much does a consultation session cost?)
- Which therapeutic approach or training/further education of the consultant do I find most interesting?
- Would you prefer a male or female couples therapist? Does the gender of the therapist play a role for me ?
We wish you every success in making your decision and all the best to you and your relationship!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does health insurance cover the costs of couples therapy?
Unfortunately, health insurance companies do not cover the costs of couples therapy, so these must be paid for by the couple themselves. There is no fixed fee schedule for couples therapy or counseling. Each therapist or counselor can set their own prices. Depending on the type of counseling, the fees can therefore vary considerably.
How much does traditional couples therapy cost locally?
The cost of couples therapy depends on the therapist's approach, their fees, and the duration of the therapy. A typical couples therapy session (depending on the method and approach) lasts between 50 and 90 minutes and costs between €80 and €200. For 10 sessions, the total cost would therefore be approximately €800 to €2000.
How much does couples counseling via telephone or video cost?
The fees for couples counseling by phone or video usually range between approximately 80 and 180 euros per hour. Advantages: Time and effort for travel and finding parking are eliminated. In video sessions, the facial expressions of those involved are often visible in close-up. Disadvantages: The "energy" between the partners is less palpable, and the risk of distraction is greater.
How expensive is an online program for relationship happiness?
Scientifically validated online programs cost approximately 40 to 80 euros per month. Compared to free options, they usually offer a better structure and higher quality. A combination of personal consultation and an online program ( blended counseling ) has been proven to be the most effective and sustainable treatment method.
Are there cost-effective or free alternatives to couples therapy?
Church-run organizations often offer couples counseling free of charge or on a donation basis, though the scope of the counseling is usually limited. E-books and webinars from couples therapists are also sometimes offered free of charge (or at low cost). These are suitable for gaining an initial overview, as an introduction to the topic, or to get a feel for a therapist's style.
What are the prices for couples therapy in Munich?
The Munich metropolitan area is known for its high rents. However, couples therapy in Munich is typically priced between €80 and €200 per session.
