What is Couples Therapy?
Couples therapy, often known as relationship counseling or marriage therapy, is a form of psychotherapy where a certified therapist works with couples to enhance their relationship. This therapy addresses various issues, including communication problems, sexual difficulties, conflicts about child rearing or blended families, infidelity, and other common challenges in relationships.
By fostering better understanding and conflict resolution, couples therapy aims to improve the dynamics between partners, leading to healthier, more fulfilling relationships. The goal is to help couples make thoughtful decisions about rebuilding their relationship or going their separate ways.
Navigate Relationship Challenges
Many clients seek couples therapy to help address relationship difficulties with a spouse or partner. They find that working through their challenges in a safe and therapeutic environment helps them discover new possibilities moving forward. A positive and enriching relationship is possible for any couple, but it requires commitment and work. Space Between Counseling offers couples therapy in Baltimore which offers the chance to have meaningful conversations with your loved one, identify relational patterns that maintain the feeling of being "stuck" while developing practical skills to live relationships well and engage in new relational responses that can promote a greater sense of closeness.
Our team of couples therapists in Baltimore, MD is comprised of six clinicians: Susan Stork, LCPC, LPCC, LPC, CST, Brittany Spencer, LCPC, Abigail Smith, LGPC, Diana Harden, LCPC, Kat Filipov, LGPC, and Daniya Nixon, LGPC who are all trained in various theoretical approaches to couples therapy, including the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), the Gottman Method, and Prepare-Enrich.
Our SBCS Couples Therapists Specialize in:
Modern Relationships + Modern Parenting
LGBTQIA+ Couples
Affair Recovery, Infidelity + Betrayals
Adoption + Infertility Concerns
Modern Cohabitation
Co-Parenting Struggles
Strengthening Communication Styles
Adult Attachment
You MAY BENEFIT FROM our COUPLES THERAPY IF YOU AND YOUR PARTNER SEEK TO:
Learn to communicate and listen better
Deepen the level of intimacy and connection within the relationship
Gain insight into the repetitive negative emotions and corresponding hurtful reactions that you engage in together
Learn how your histories impact your relationship and be proactive in promoting relational health
Better resolve frequent misunderstandings in your relationships
Reduce conflict, learn triggers, and develop strategies for navigating arguments
Find support for the relationship during life’s transitions into marriage, parenting, marriage after children, separation, or reconciliation
Understanding The Fees For Our Couples Work
Meet Our Team of Couples Therapist
Susan Stork, LCPC, NCC
Susan utilizes the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), to assist couples in moving towards secure functioning - which means the relationship is based on principles of true mutuality, collaboration, justice, fairness, and sensitivity. Susan helps couples to build awareness of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations to develop greater insight and uncover new choices within their relationships. Her style is nurturing, supportive & interactive with a huge dose of common sense.
Susan’s COUPLES SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:
Sex Therapy + Sexual Health Counseling for Individuals and Couples
Family of Origin Issues & Blended Family Struggles
Infidelity
Infertility
Disconnection + Poor Communication
Co-Parenting Struggles
A few words from Susan on Couples Therapy:
“As a relationship therapist in Baltimore, I bring my training, my life experience, and my desire to help clients grow to every session. I also bring my curiosity, my compassion, and my passion for helping you both “get unstuck.” I am passionate about helping couples create secure functioning partnerships based on healthy communication, connection, and play. My work with couples is based on Stan Tatkin’s Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), which combines attachment theory, neurobiology, and arousal regulation to help couples better understand their patterns of relating and how to support each other more successfully. As a PACT Clinician (Level 2 Trained), my work is experiential and strategic. Looking at the ways you both were programmed to connect in childhood, I help partners understand these processes and adopt new ways to communicate and grow as a couple. With a deeper understanding of each other, I support couples in navigating their struggles more successfully, deepening their connection, and having more fun together. This therapy is short-term and goal-focused, based on strong research.”
“Susan Stork, LCPC was selected by the PACT Institute as one of only 25 PACT-trained clinicians worldwide to join the PACT Ambassador Program, promoting the PACT method of couples therapy to professional therapists and couples.”
Brittany Spencer, LCPC
As a relationship therapist in Baltimore, Brittany works with couples to navigate daily relationship challenges. Brittany utilizes the Gottman Method and Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) (level 1) to help couples create their ideal relationship culture, even through the roughest of times. Whether you’re just starting out or have been together for years, Brittany can support you in building closeness, improving communication skills, reviving your sexual connection, and more.
Brittany’s Couples Specialties Include:
Premarital & Millennial Couples
LGBTQIA+ Relationships
Open/Non-monogamous Relationships
A few words from Brittany on Couples Therapy:
“A relationship is not without conflict, nor is it without ongoing work. Being in my own relationship has shown me the benefits of healthy communication and ongoing work. Not all partnerships are the same, and it is this dynamic that I enjoy most as a couples therapist. I bring an eclectic therapeutic style to my clients that are catered to the dyad’s needs.”
Abigail Smith, LCPC
Abby utilizes an eclectic approach that tailors couples’ work to your relationship’s specific needs. Abby is affirming of kink, consensual non-monogamy, neurodiverse, and LGBTQIA+ relationships. Abby utilizes the Gottman Method in her work with couples.
Abby’s couple specialties include:
Premarital Work
Modern Cohabitation
LGBTQIA+ Relationships
A few words from Abby on Couples Therapy:
“Being in a fulfilling relationship is extremely rewarding, but they also require ongoing care. In today’s technological age, relationships can be especially difficult to navigate. As humans, we inherently strive to feel connected to others and build intimacy. However, sometimes unhealthy behavioral patterns can get in the way and lead to dissatisfaction in relationships. Very often couples get caught up in patterns of negative interactions, having the same fights over and over. They don’t like it, would like to change it, but don’t know how to talk about it. Over time they become less and less connected to one another, leaving them feeling frustrated and alone in the relationship. In couples therapy, I work to help you and your partner set healthy boundaries, improve communication patterns, and foster more meaningful authentic bonds.”
Diana Harden, LCPC
Diana is a certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator. No matter what level of stress your relationship is under, Diana will work with you and your partner to reach a place of calm and agreement. Everyone deserves to feel a sense of “home” and peace with their partner--allow Diana to help cultivate that in your relationship.
Diana’s Couples Specialties Include:
Pre-martial/Pre-Commitment Couples
High Success/High-Stress Couples
Communication and Connection Concerns
LGBTQIA+ Affirming
A few words from Diana on Couples Therapy:
“I would love to help create a space safe for you and your partner to explore all the blocks that are possibly hindering a secure functioning relationship. A secure functioning relationship holds all the tenets of trust, mutual respect, helpful communication, and effective problem solving together. Your relationship does not have to be in severe distress to seek help from a neutral party- although that might be the case for you and your partner. Either way, I am here to provide a mutually engaging platform so that both members of the relationship can feel seen, heard, and understood by each other.”
Daniya Nixon, LGPC
Daniya uses a variety of techniques to help couples identify their needs and desires and communicate those to their partners. She is affirming of LGBTQIA+ and open/non-monogamous relationships. Her eclectic approach helps people establish and maintain their ideal partnerships.
Daniya’s COUPLE SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:
Premarital Work
Millennial Couples
Communication Concerns
Open & Non-monogamous relationships
A few words from Daniya on couples therapy:
"Many relationship problems are often the result of miscommunication or lack of communication. I enjoy engaging in work that helps clients feel confident and secure in expressing themselves to their partners. I also love how this process encourages individual self-reflection. Partners can then bring this enhanced understanding of themselves to the relationship, thereby deepening the connection."
Brittany Trexler, LCPC, LPC
Brittany is an eclectic sex therapist for couples, non-monagmous groups, and individuals. She incorporates approaches from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral techniques, Person-Centered approaches, Attachment Theory, Systemic views, and more as many approaches can come up throughout the therapeutic journey.
Brittany’s COUPLE SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:
Affirming and Inclusive (Individuals and Couples)
LGBTQIA+
Couples and Polycules
BDSM and KINK (New to the scene and experienced practitioners)
Non-Monogamy/Polyamory
A few words from Brittany on Couples Therapy
“All relationships take work and care to maintain. Whether you are looking to ensure that your strong foundation stays that way, or you are navigating tough issues, support from a therapist can be invaluable. I love to help couples grow closer and find their joy in each other again. I am also unique in my ability to help those working through concerns specific to polyamory/non-monogamy. Please reach out with any questions and let's work on getting your relationship ready to weather any storms life might throw your way.”
Rae Buchanan
(LCPC coming soon)
Rae is supportive of multiple relationship dynamics, including LGBTQIA+, polyamorous, CNM, and monogamous couples. She often works with people who are childfree by choice/dual income no kids, but also supports partners with children. Rae has a unique knowledge of dual dynamics in relationships, including working with or running businesses with a partner. Rae loves working with neurodivergent people and is happy to explore how neurodivergence shows up in your relationship dynamic.
Rae’s Couple Specialties include:
LGBTQIA+ Affirming
Couples and Polycules
Consensual non-monogamy (CNM)
Monogamous Couples
A FEW WORDS FROM RAE on Couples Therapy
“I am a creative, queer, neurodivergent therapist who is LGBTQIA+ affirming and dedicated to working with artists of all kinds. With a background rich in the performing arts, I am aware of the specific mental and emotional trauma and struggles that are often associated with creative work. Additionally, I have experience working in university and healthcare settings, and hold deep empathy for the particular struggles encountered in these environments as well. Often my work is centered around identity, including the different parts of you that may be wounded, need cared for, and are calling out for growth.”
TELL ME ABOUT FEES AND INSURANCE?
Couples’ work fees at Space Between Counseling Services range from $275-$650 per intake session, and $275-$425 per follow-up appointment. We also offer Prepare + Enrich premarital couples counseling at the rate of $799-$999 for a total of (4) 90-minute sessions or $999-$1599 for total of (6) 90-minute sessions.
SBCS is not paneled with any insurance plans but can offer you what's called, "out-of-network benefits" (OONB). Not everyone has this as part of their benefits package so please call your healthcare plan and ask these questions:
Do I have out-of-network benefits?
What percentage of my therapist's fee does my plan pay for?
MOST OONB PLANS REIMBURSE BETWEEN 50-90% OF OUR FEES.
At times insurance plans request upfront billing codes your therapist will be using. You can share this list of codes for their approval:
90791 Psychiatric Diagnostic Assessment (from 1-4 sessions depending on the problem)
90847 Family Psychotherapy, conjoint psychotherapy with the patient present
90834 Psychotherapy, 45 minutes
90832 Psychotherapy, 30 minutes
When using OONB your clinician would provide you with a document monthly called a "superbill" which is like an invoice but contains the service codes, dates of treatment, and monies paid during therapy. You would submit this to your plan directly and your plan would reimburse you directly as well.
You can get in-network therapy if this is out of your budget. Your plan can identify providers who are in-network should you need to use your benefits.
HOW ARE OUR RECORDS STORED?
We at SBCS utilize a HIPAA compliant, encrypted, electronic medical record called Simple Practice that holds all of our client's mental health records safely in it. You will get a link to a client portal where you fill in demographic information and can access documents like invoices and superbills on your own.
HOW DO I PAY MY THERAPIST?
Simple Practice has a credit card processing system named Stripe embedded in it. If choosing to work with a therapist at SBCS, you would upload your credit card number and your therapist will charge after each session or late cancelation for the fee. Your therapist will only have access to the last 4 digits of your card and it is completely secured.
DO YOU HAVE A CANCELLATION POLICY?
All clinicians at Space Between Counseling Services have a 24- business hour cancelation policy You will be responsible for an entire session fee ($275-650) if the change is made in less than 24 business hours' notice. Exceptions may be made for emergencies such as sudden illness or accidents, at your therapist’s discretion. It should be noted that insurance does not reimburse for canceled sessions and HSA and FSA cards can't be used in these cases.
Exploring the Next Steps OF Couples Therapy & Counseling
Together with your partner, you’ll schedule a complimentary 25-minute phone consultation with the clinician of your choice. Please note, that it is important to schedule your phone consultation at a time when both you and your partner are available to speak at the same time, either via conference call or speaker phone. During the initial phone consultation, your therapist will assist you in exploring how they can help and you’ll be able to ask any questions specific to your clinician of choice, couples work, Space Between Counseling Services or therapy in general.
After the therapeutic fit is ensured, the next step is to schedule your initial couples’ session. Depending on your clinician, this session will be between 90 minutes - 120 minutes. You and your partner will receive all paperwork (e-forms & intake questionnaire) via a secure HIPAA-compliant online portal (Simple Practice) for both to complete individually prior to your first in-person session.
Next, in collaboration with your partner and couples therapist, a couples therapy plan of how to best support both of you and your relationship will be created. Our goal is to get you two off our SBCS couch and back into your best setting as a couple - with a stronger and/or more defined action(s) in place -- as soon as possible.