Your Marriage Doesn’t Have to Stay Stuck

Christian couples counseling that goes deeper. 90-minute sessions designed to create real change.

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You’re not alone in this.

If you’re reading this, chances are you and your partner are struggling. Maybe communication has broken down to the point where every conversation turns into a fight—or worse, you’ve stopped talking altogether. Maybe trust has been shattered by infidelity, and you’re not sure if you can rebuild. Maybe you’re just…exhausted. Co-parenting feels like a battleground. Life transitions have pulled you in different directions. Or maybe you can’t quite name what’s wrong—you just know that the connection you once had is gone.

Here’s what we want you to know: Your marriage isn’t broken beyond repair. But it does need help.

And that’s exactly why we’re here.

What We Treat

At Dover Counseling Services, we work with couples facing:

• Communication breakdown – Constant conflict, defensiveness, or shutting down
• Infidelity and betrayal – Rebuilding trust after an affair (emotional or physical)
• Life transitions – Job loss, relocation, health challenges, empty nest
• Parenting conflicts – Disagreements about discipline, different parenting styles, feeling like co-parents instead of partners
• Trauma-related issues – Past wounds (from childhood or previous relationships) affecting your marriage today
• Growing apart – Feeling more like roommates than lovers
• Sexual intimacy struggles – Mismatched desire, unmet needs, difficulty connecting physically

If your situation isn’t listed here, reach out anyway. We’ve walked with hundreds of couples through hard seasons, and we’re confident we can help.

Why 90-Minute Sessions?

Most couples counseling is 50-60 minutes. We offer 90-minute sessions because relationships are complex, and meaningful work takes time.

Here’s why longer sessions make a difference:

You get past the surface. In a standard session, couples often spend the first 20 minutes catching the therapist up on what happened that week. By the time you’re ready to dig into the real issue, you’re out of time. With 90 minutes, we can go deeper.

There’s room to practice new skills. We don’t just talk about communication techniques—we practice them in the session. You’ll leave with tools you can use immediately, not just theory.

Progress happens faster. Couples who invest in longer sessions often see breakthroughs sooner because we can address more in each visit.

You feel less rushed. When you’re dealing with something as important as your marriage, the last thing you need is to feel like you’re watching the clock.

Investment: $150 per 90-Minute Session

We know this is an investment. And we want to be upfront about cost.

Why we don’t take insurance for couples counseling:

Insurance companies limit how we can work with you. They dictate the number of sessions, the treatment approach, and often require a diagnosis—which can complicate things when two people are working on their relationship together.

By offering couples counseling as private pay, we’re able to:

• Focus entirely on what your relationship needs (not what insurance allows)
• Provide the extended time and depth your marriage deserves
• Work at your pace—whether that’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly
• Avoid the restrictions and paperwork that get in the way of real healing

We believe your marriage is worth this investment. And we’re committed to making every session count.

Our Approach:

Most of our therapists are Gottman Level I trained, which means we’re using research-backed methods proven to strengthen relationships. The Gottman Method focuses on building friendship, managing conflict well, and creating shared meaning in your marriage.

But we also bring something unique: faith integration.

As a Christian practice, we understand that your marriage is not just a partnership—it’s a covenant. We honor that. While we serve couples from all backgrounds, many of our clients appreciate the opportunity to integrate Scripture, prayer, and Christian principles into their counseling work.

We’re here to help you build a marriage that reflects your values and honors God—while giving you practical, evidence-based tools to make it happen.

What to Expect in Couples Counseling

Your First Session

We’ll start by getting to know both of you and understanding what brought you here. We’ll ask about your relationship history, your current struggles, and what you’re hoping to achieve. This session is about assessment—helping us understand your unique situation so we can create a plan that works.

Ongoing Sessions

Each session is tailored to where you are in the process. We might work on communication skills, explore attachment patterns, process conflict, rebuild trust, or address specific issues like parenting or intimacy. You’ll leave each session with practical tools and homework to practice between visits.

The Goal

Our goal isn’t to keep you in therapy forever. It’s to equip you with the skills to navigate challenges on your own—so your marriage becomes stronger, more connected, and more resilient.

Is Couples Counseling Right For You?

Consider couples counseling if:

• You’re fighting more than you’re connecting
• One or both of you has considered separation or divorce
• Trust has been broken and you’re not sure how to rebuild
• You feel like roommates, not partners
• You want to strengthen your marriage before problems escalate
• You’re preparing for a major life transition (marriage, baby, blending families)
• Past attempts to “fix things” on your own haven’t worked

Not sure if it’s time? Here’s a good rule of thumb: If you’re asking yourself whether you need couples counseling, the answer is probably yes. The sooner you address issues, the easier they are to resolve.

Meet Our Team

Several of our experienced therapists specialize in couples work, bringing training in the Gottman Method and faith-integrated approaches. When you reach out, we’ll match you with the therapist who’s the best fit for your relationship.

Our Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both partners have to want counseling for it to work?

Ideally, yes—both partners being invested leads to better outcomes. But if one of you is hesitant, we can start with one partner and see where it goes. Sometimes just one person showing up can shift the dynamic.

What if we’re not sure we want to stay together?

That’s okay. Couples counseling can help you gain clarity—whether that means rebuilding your relationship or navigating a healthier separation. We’re here to support whatever decision is right for you.

How often will we need to come?

Most couples start with biweekly sessions. As things improve, we space sessions out. The frequency depends on your goals and what’s happening in your relationship.

What if we’ve tried counseling before and it didn’t work?

Not all therapists are trained in couples work, and not all approaches are a good fit. If you’ve had a bad experience before, we get it. We’re committed to doing this differently.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether your marriage is in crisis or you just want to strengthen your connection, we’re here to help.

Schedule your first 90-minute session today.

Call us at (334) 417-0212 or email darlene@dovercounselingservices.com to get started.

Your marriage is worth fighting for. Let’s do this together.