“Therapy’s SO expensive!”. Yes, it is, and so is divorce.

In Alabama, the going rate to divorce your spouse is $7,000, and that’s if it’s uncontested. If you haven’t already come to an agreement on things like the division of your assets and debts, alimony, child custody, child support, and more, then yours is classified as a contested divorce. Contested divorces average $14,000 - $20,000 and all this while still trying to focus on day-to-day needs like your career, your home, your kids, and yourself.

How much does couples therapy in Birmingham, AL cost?

The short answer: it depends on the therapist, their training, their experience, the type of therapy they do, and the needs of the couple. Couples seek therapy for a variety of reasons. Couples who are focused on more specific relationship issues like improving communication or processing a recent conflict will not require as many sessions as couples who are working on more complex problems such as chronic communication breakdowns, infidelity, and/or unresolved emotional trauma, conflict, or resentments.

Why not take that money and blow it on a fancy vacation? For many couples, even a quick weekend trip away from their daily lives is a guaranteed method for enhancing their relationship satisfaction. Vacation represents a change of scenery that allows you to focus on quality time together in a less stressful environment where you have the potential to share new experiences. This creates opportunities for intimacy, connection, and communication. Eventually, though, you’ll have to head back home. 

How can you keep that vacation-connection when you’re deep in the daily grind? Couples therapy. Like a vacation, being intentional and creating the context for intimacy is a BIG part of couple’s therapy. Unlike vacation, couples therapy is a focused approach that teaches you skills meant to last, rather than a valuable, but short-lived distraction.

“You have to go wholeheartedly into anything in order to achieve anything worth having.” – Frank Lloyd Wright

It’s true, I admit it, therapy is expensive. And so are a number of things couples already do in order to invest in their relationships. 

• Investing in a home that better accommodates your spouse’s WFH needs, collections or hobbies. 

• Budgeting for date nights, romantic getaways, and gifts.

• Investing in a new shared interest, adventure, or experience like camping/hiking, wine tasting, gaming, dance, and music lessons to name a few.

All of these things, like therapy, require a financial, physical, and emotional investment in order to be successful. The financials vary based on the activity and frequency. Also, assuming you enjoy it, will likely require some sort of lifetime financial commitment. The physical requirement is pretty similar to therapy in that you’ve got to show up, be present, and do the work to get anything out of it! The emotional commitment can be more difficult to dive into as not all emotions are as fun as leveling up in a video game. That being said, the long-term payoff is… well, you tell me. How much would you pay to have the marriage of your dreams?

How much is a lifetime of connection worth?

Couples site a number of reasons it’s important to invest in their relationship: 

• Ensure the longevity of the relationship.

• Improve communication.

• Increase opportunities for connection.

• Enhance quality of life.

• Create opportunities to grow and have fun together. 

What makes couples therapy so successful is the therapists’ ability to provide a safe and supportive space for couples to work through their hurts and learn to turn toward each other again. Couples therapy encourages the kind of collaboration and emotional connection that leads to enhanced empathy and compassion which in turn, builds the basis for healing and understanding. These are skills that not only last but have a ripple effect in your life that influences those around you.

Interested in Talking to a Couples Therapist in Birmingham, AL?

At Sparrow Counseling in Birmingham, AL we understand the investment, both monetarily and emotionally, it takes to pursue couples counseling. We value our clients and strive to help you have the relationship you’ve always dreamed of. To get started follow these three simple steps:

1. Reach out to Sparrow Counseling for a free 15-minute consultation.

2. Be matched with a caring, experienced couples’ therapist.

3. Start your path to healing with support. 

Peyton Richard, LMFTA is passionate about working with couples. She strives to create an energy of understanding, calm, and strength for her clients to provide them with space to heal and grow in their relationships.

Other Services Offered at Sparrow Counseling

At Sparrow Counseling we offer in-person and online therapy in the state of Alabama. In addition to couples counseling, our team specializes in couples retreats, premarital counseling and pre-engagement counseling, co-parenting counseling, blended family counseling, discernment counseling, and more in Birmingham, Alabama. Learn more by checking out our FAQs and Blog!