Marriage Counseling

Family and marriage counseling costs can vary widely. Rates vary from about $75 to $200 per hour, but many therapists offer sliding scale fees based on income, while some accept insurance and some do not. The average cost for marriage and family counseling is about $100 per session. Since most marriage counselors see couples one session a week for the first three months, you can expect to pay about $1200 in that period of time if it's at about $100/hr.

According to information provided by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, mental health services provided by Family Therapists are generally cost-effective. The AAMFT states that average costs for marriage and family counseling are typically 60% that of of psychiatrists and 80% of psychologists. The AAMFT further states that family therapy requires 30% fewer sessions than individual therapy (3.9 v. 5.7) and that 68% of Private Practice MFTs reduce fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Another interesting thing to consider when evaluating the cost of marriage and family counseling is that family therapy has been shown to reduce health care use by 21.5%.

Marriage counselors' academic degrees are different. The type of credentials may be of importance to you throughout your search for the right marriage counselor.

M.S.W.: Master of Social Work
Social Workers apply social work theory, knowledge, methods and ethics to restore or enhance the functioning (social, psychosocial) of individuals, couples, families, and groups, as well as organizations and communities.

M.F.C.C.: Marriage, Family and Child Counselor
An MFCC therapist has earned a Master of Science degree in counseling with a specialization in marriage, family and child issues. MFCC's are trained to understand problems from both individual and family systems perspectives; develop intervention skills; incorporate cultural, age-specific, and gender-respectful understanding in theory and practice; and handle clinical, ethical, legal and general professional aspects of their practice.

M.F.T.: Marriage and Family Therapist
A marriage and family therapist has earned a master's degree in social work with a particular emphasis on relationships. This professional is interested in who each person is within the context of their family, both past and present. Marriage and family therapy applies therapeutic techniques and focuses on issues of human development, communication skills, and interpersonal relationships.

L.C.S.W.: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
The LCSW is a state licensure designation for practitioners with a master's or doctoral degree in social work. Clinical Social Work, a practice specialty of Social Work, utilizes social work theory, knowledge, methods, and ethics to restore or enhance the functioning of individuals, couples, families, and groups, as well as organizations and communities.