Couples therapy Los Angeles, approaches, licenses and how to choose

Results filtered for couples come from claimed profiles, since the therapist provides that detail. Each shows a "License verified" badge, the approaches the therapist lists, fees and format, and an inquiry form. After them, "More licensed providers in Los Angeles" shows registry listings from the NPPES NPI Registry with name, credential, practice address and phone, and you can call to ask whether they see couples.

These descriptions are general and factual. They are not recommendations, and any therapist can explain how they actually work.

• Gottman Method: developed by psychologists John Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman and based on John Gottman's long running research on couples. Therapists often begin with an assessment of the relationship and use structured exercises between sessions. The Gottman Institute offers several levels of training.
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): developed in the 1980s by Sue Johnson and Les Greenberg and drawing on attachment theory. Sessions focus on the emotional patterns that repeat between partners. Certification is offered through the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
• Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT): developed by Andrew Christensen and Neil Jacobson, combining behavioral techniques with work on acceptance.
• Many therapists combine elements of several approaches and describe themselves as integrative.

For individual methods, see CBT therapy, IFS therapy and EMDR therapy.

Couples therapists in the city are licensed either by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC) or by the Board of Psychology (psychologists). In California, LMFT is one of the most common licenses among couples therapists, but it is not required for the work. Associates (AMFT, ASW, APCC) see couples under supervision, sometimes at lower fees. Read about marriage and family therapists.

Distance across Los Angeles works differently for couples, because you have to agree on one location. Some partners choose an office near one workplace on the Westside or Downtown, others a practice in the Valley or Pasadena near home. Video sessions are common, and a California license covers both partners as long as each is located in California during the session. More regional detail is on therapist Los Angeles.

Fees are set by each therapist and depend on license, experience and session length; some couples sessions run longer than the standard hour. Insurance coverage for couples therapy is limited on many plans, so ask your insurer and the practice. Medi-Cal members can ask their plan what relationship services are available. The article how much does couples counseling cost covers the general factors.