Where can we get inexpensive couples counseling?

[Anonymous]

Here's the scoop from an experienced marriage and family therapist. Neither couple therapy nor family therapy is covered by insurance for adults (family therapy is often covred for children). The billing codes for individual therapy and couple/family therapy are the same, so when your insurance company pays for couple/.family therapy they believe they are paying for individual therapy. The fact that the calim is paid does not mean it is covered. Insurance companies consider this to be insurance fraud, and it they do an audit they will ask for ther money back. Criminal charges or license sancions could also apply for the therapist. This is a common type of fraud, and you will have no difficulty findiing a therapist who will do it. However, you should be aware that it's not that those therapists have superior knowledge of medical billing. They just have dubious ethics and are perhaps in desperate need of clients.

There is one exception to the above. It is legitimate to bill insurance for family sessions that focus on helping an individual patient -- perhaps dealing with a crisis to avert hospitalization, or providing education to the family about the individual's condition.

[Anonymous]

I am also looking for one preferably in Alexandria and covered by BCBS. Prefer a male, too.

[Anonymous]

We've taken couples courses yearly. We prefer those to help more than a counselor.

[Anonymous]

BCBS paid for our marriage counseling as well. I believe they called it family counseling also. We've had two different marriage counselors and both did it without us even asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's the scoop from an experienced marriage and family therapist. Neither couple therapy nor family therapy is covered by insurance for adults (family therapy is often covred for children). The billing codes for individual therapy and couple/family therapy are the same, so when your insurance company pays for couple/.family therapy they believe they are paying for individual therapy. The fact that the calim is paid does not mean it is covered. Insurance companies consider this to be insurance fraud, and it they do an audit they will ask for ther money back. Criminal charges or license sancions could also apply for the therapist. This is a common type of fraud, and you will have no difficulty findiing a therapist who will do it. However, you should be aware that it's not that those therapists have superior knowledge of medical billing. They just have dubious ethics and are perhaps in desperate need of clients.

There is one exception to the above. It is legitimate to bill insurance for family sessions that focus on helping an individual patient -- perhaps dealing with a crisis to avert hospitalization, or providing education to the family about the individual's condition.

Could you please recommend 5-10 books to read for improving a marriage? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

NP but my favorite marriage book is The Five Love Languages. Changed my outlook on all relationships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could you please recommend 5-10 books to read for improving a marriage? Thank you!

I like Kevin Leman's books: http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Leman/e/B001ITX34W/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1443635833&sr=8-2-ent A little religious, but I'm an atheist and didn't find the religion to be too much.

Other common recommendations are The Five Love Languages; John Gottman (many books but especially http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Principles-Making-Marriage-Work/dp/0553447718/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443635926&sr=8-1&keywords=gottman); Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson; and His Needs, Her Needs.

[Anonymous]

Could you please recommend 5-10 books to read for improving a marriage? Thank you!

Dan Wile's books (After the Honeymoon, After the Fight), Maggie Scarf's books on families and couples (Intimate Partners, Inside the Family).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's the scoop from an experienced marriage and family therapist. Neither couple therapy nor family therapy is covered by insurance for adults (family therapy is often covred for children). The billing codes for individual therapy and couple/family therapy are the same, so when your insurance company pays for couple/.family therapy they believe they are paying for individual therapy. The fact that the calim is paid does not mean it is covered. Insurance companies consider this to be insurance fraud, and it they do an audit they will ask for ther money back. Criminal charges or license sancions could also apply for the therapist. This is a common type of fraud, and you will have no difficulty findiing a therapist who will do it. However, you should be aware that it's not that those therapists have superior knowledge of medical billing. They just have dubious ethics and are perhaps in desperate need of clients.

There is one exception to the above. It is legitimate to bill insurance for family sessions that focus on helping an individual patient -- perhaps dealing with a crisis to avert hospitalization, or providing education to the family about the individual's condition.

I was with you until you said it was "dubious ethics" of the counselor. IMO it's dubious ethics and bad practice of insurers to not cover even some couples counseling. It can save a marriage such that it can minimize depression, anxiety, etc. in the children, plus if they cover individual -- obviously couples are individuals whose own issues dramatically affect the other partner. Seems shortsighted.

[Anonymous]

Here's a link to a weekend seminar based on Gottman's method. It's in Columbia, MD

http://weekendcouplesworkshop.com/Gottman-Art_%26_SCIENCE_of_Love-Columbia,_MD+Fairfax,_VA.html