Dr. Weibel has been married for twelve years. Upon reading the previous sentence, his wife informed him that it has been thirteen, and feels longer. As in the previous sentence, within couples work, a sense of humor is essential. Dr. Weibel combines a common-sensical and playful style, twenty years of doing psychotherapy, and a solid grasp of evidence-based treatments for couples. Dr. Weibel will offer suggestions and homework for both partners. He attempts to treat the relationship and look for compromise. 

We can utilize exercises and principles from the following methods: 

• Gottman Method
• Emotionally Focused Therapy
• Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy

We can also benefit from the fact that I have been studying psychodynamic approaches for twenty years and can observe how each client’s relational patterns may influence the current relationship. I have also studied attachment theory including teaching Developmental Psychology three times at university. I wrote a book about empathy, perspective taking, and compassion and try to help each partner feel the other’s position, and hopefully move toward compromise and a shared narrative. 

Rates for Couples Counseling

• First session                           90-minutes:        $250
• Subsequent sessions           50-minutes:        $200

Dr. Weibel does not accept insurance for couples counseling for several reasons. Many insurance companies have a policy of not paying for couples counseling. Sometimes, people, including workers at the insurance call center, will bend the rules to help customers pay for couples counseling with their insurance. While I respect the intention of saving people money, it is not without risk or complications. When an insurance company does pay for couples counseling, they are actually paying for family therapy using the billing code 90847,  which indicates that one member of the family has a mental disorder, which necessitates medically necessary treatment. Thus, the insurance company is not agreeing to pay for couples counseling to improve the quality of the romantic relationship. When a therapist bills 90847, the undiagnosed partner is there to support the treatment of the diagnosed partner’s mental disorder. The treatment plan and progress notes would need to indicate how the disordered partner is the focus of treatment. Dr. Weibel believes he is treating the relationship, not one partner. Further, if members of the couple ever wish to see the treatment record or send it to an outside party, such as another doctor, a workplace, or an attorney, only the patient, the diagnosed partner, holds the legal privilege regarding those records. 

If you are unable to afford couples therapy, we can discuss a sliding scale based on family income and assets.