It’s becoming more common for couples to seek out the help of a professional to work through their issues, such as intimacy or communication. Similar to individual therapy, couples counseling requires constant effort, vulnerability, and patience. Not to mention, financial stability and tons of budgeting.
This form of counseling is proven to be effective, but not entirely accessible. The average cost of a single couple’s therapy session ranges from $150-500, even after insurance. It’s impossible to hash out years worth of trauma and deep-set differences in a 90-minute appointment. Which is why several couples fail to commit to an ongoing counseling routine. Fortunately, we live in an age where seeking relationship help is not always costly.
Here are eight effective (and affordable) alternatives to couple’s therapy:
- Invest in self-help books
Nowadays, there are self-help books that cover just about everything. The current market is flooded with a plethora of relationship self-help books to help you and your partner overcome any issues you’re currently facing. These books offer a great deal of professional advice for you and your partner to incorporate into your everyday routines.
Completing one, or a hundred, online relationship quizzes can help you address any behavioral patterns and stressors in your relationship. Pointing these things out will help you and your partner understand one another with empathy and patience, rather than confusion and anxiety. All without the need of a therapist’s diagnosis!
- Take some time to discuss your issues
Schedule some time out of your day for you and your partner to talk out your issues and look for solutions. We’re not encouraging you to schedule arguments. These small “check-ups” can help you two establish a healthy environment to talk about the bumps in your relationship in a constructive manner.
- Create a date-night schedule
The key to maintaining a healthy connection is having a date-night routine. Not only does this spice up to your average routine, but it relieves stress as well! Dress up and go hit the town. Look up showtimes to the newest horror movie, or make reservations at your favorite restaurant. You won’t regret it.
- Download Relish
Our final cost-effective alternative is downloading Relish – a personalized coaching app. Relish helps every couple identify the current state of their relations, and encourages them to work through them via lesson plans, quizzes, public forums, and advice from a personal coach. All in hopes of strengthening their partnership and lessening their need for couple’s therapy!
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