Couples Therapy in Minneapolis and Minnesota: What to expect, who it's for, and how to get started
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Every relationship is worth caring for
Whether you've been together for six months or twenty years, whether you're navigating a specific rupture or simply want more connection, couples therapy is a space built for you. At MindBalance Mental Health Care, we offer couples therapy in Minneapolis and across Minnesota for all relationships.
What is couples therapy?
Couples therapy (sometimes called couples counseling or relationship therapy) is a form of professional support where partners work with a therapist to explore what's happening in their relationship, build new skills, and move toward whatever they're hoping for - more connection, better communication, repair after harm, or clarity about the future.
Unlike individual therapy, where the focuse is on one person's experience, couples therapy holds the relationship itself as the focus. That doesn't mean one person is the problem. It means the therapist is interested in the space between people - in patterns, in dynamics, in what each partner brings and what shows up when you're together.
Sessions typically involve both (or all) partners meeting with the therapist at the same time, though the structure can vary depending on your needs and what your therapist suggests.
You don't have to be in crisis to start couples therapy
One of the main reasons people don't seek couples therapy is the belief that they'd need to be falling apart first. That's not true - and waiting until things are at a breaking point often makes the work harder.
Plenty of people come to couples therapy because they want more: more closeness, more ease, more tools for navigating disagreements. Therapy can be a proactive investment in a relationship you value. It can also be exactly the right support when things feel stuck, painful, or uncertain.
Common reasons people seek couples therapy
People come to couples counseling for all kinds of reasons. Some common ones include:
Communication that keeps going in circles - the same arguments, the same stuck places
Feeling disconnected, unheard, or like you're living parallel lives
Recovering after an affair, betrayal, or a significant breach of trust
Navigating differences in how you handle conflict, stress, or emotions
Sexual intimacy concerns - desire differences, physical changes, or simply wanting more connection
Processing a major life change together: new baby, a loss, a health diagnosis, job changes, moving, caregiving for family members
Disagreements about parenting, finances, or roles in the relationship
Navigating relationship structure - whether you're opening a relationship, renegotiating agreements, or working through a transition in a non-monogamous relationship
Cultural, family-of-origin, or values differences that create friction
Wanting to strengthen what's already good before tension becomes a pattern
This list isn't exhaustive. If something in your relationship feels worth exploring, that's reason enough.
Also in this series: Common Reasons Couples Seek Therapy |
What to expect in a first session
The first session is usually about getting acquainted. Your therapist will want to understand what's bringing you in, the history of your relationship, and what each of you hopes to get from therapy.
It's normal if the first session feels a little awkward or uncertain - it often does. You're sharing something personal with someone new. A thoughtful therapist will move at a pace that feels manageable, and you're never required to share more than you're ready to.
You might leave the first session with a clearer sense of what the work might look like, or you might take a few sessions to find your footing. Both are completely normal.
confidentiality in couples therapy
Confidentiality is an important part of any therapeutic relationship, and it works a little differently in couples work than in individual therapy.
In general, what's shared in the therapy room stays there. Your therapist won't speak to outside parties about your sessions without your consent. There are some legal exceptions to this - situations involving imminent safety concerns or mandated reporting obligations - and your therapist will explain these clearly before you begin.
One area that often comes up in couples therapy is what happens if one partner reaches out to the therapist privately. Different therapists have different policies on this. Some maintain a 'no-secrets' policy - meaning anything shared individually will be brought back into the couple's work. Others are more flexible. It's worth asking your therapist directly how they handle this so there are no surprises.
We've covered the key points about confidentiality above. If you have specific questions before you begin, your therapist can go through their policies in more detail during your first session.
Using insurance for couples therapy
Insurance coverage for couples therapy is a nuanced topic, and the short version is: it depends on your plan, and what to ask your insurance.
Most insurance plans won't cover "couples therapy or counseling" as a category, because insurance is designed to cover treatment of a diagnosable condition of an individual - not a relationship. For conjoint sessions to potentially be covered, one partner must be designated as the "Identified Patient (IP)": the person with a documented mental health diagnosis whose treatment the sessions are clinically connected to. The sessions must also meet the standards of medical necessity for that person's care. Relational distress on its own generally doesn't meet that bar.
If you're considering using insurance, we suggest calling your insurance plan's member services and asking about coverage for CPT codes 90847 (conjoint session with the "identified patient" present) and 90946 (session with a partner or family member without the "identified patient" present).
Related reading: Using Insurance for Couples Therapy |
Services in Spanish and English - in person and online
MindBalance Mental Health Care offers couples counseling in English and Spanish. We see couples in person in Minneapolis and online across Minnesota. Whether you prefer the structure of an in-person appointment or the flexibility of meeting from home, we can work with you.
Related reading: What to look for in a Couples Therapist |
Also in the Couples Therapy in Minneapolis Series:
Ready to get started?
If you're wondering whether couples therapy might be a good fit, you're welcome to reach out. You don't have to have it all figured out before you call. MindBalance Mental Health Care serves clients across Minnesota via telehealth and offers in-person appointments in Minneapolis.
We're a small team, so when you reach out, you're reaching real people who will take the time to address your inquiry.
About the Author
Merrily Young-Hye Sadlovsky (she/her/hers), MSW, LICSW, LCSW, is a therapist, clinical supervisor, and co-owner of MindBalance Mental Health Care, an independent holistic mental health practice serving Minneapolis and individuals across Minnesota. She is an EMDRIA EMDR-Certified Therapist and teaches clinical courses as an adjunct faculty member in an MSW program in Minneapolis. Her work focuses on culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy supporting adoptees, BIPOC, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities, and college and graduate students navigating anxiety, OCD, trauma, disordered eating, and life transitions.
Educational Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects our perspectives and understanding at the time of writing. It is not intended as medical, mental health, legal, or insurance advice, and should not be relied on as such. Reading this content does not create a therapeutic or professional relationship. For guidance specific to your situation, we encourage you to consult with a qualified professional.
