How to Choose a Couples Therapist in Utah
What to look for, what to ask and what to expect, so you can pick a therapist with confidence.
A practical guide from Healing Hearts Counseling in Murray, Utah
Start with licensure
In Utah, therapists are licensed through the Division of Professional Licensing. Ask which license your therapist holds, such as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and whether they are fully licensed or an associate or intern working under supervision.
Associates and interns are a legitimate and often more affordable option when a licensed clinician supervises them. Ask who the supervisor is.
Ask about their approach to couples
Couples therapy is a specialty, not individual therapy with two people in the room. Ask whether the therapist has specific training in a couples model, such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) or the Gottman Method, and how they work when partners see things differently.
Our team at Healing Hearts specializes in EFT, an attachment-based approach that looks at the pattern that repeats between partners rather than assigning blame. Dr. Mallorie Sorce is a certified EFT therapist.
Questions to ask on a first call
- What training do you have in couples therapy?
- How do you work when we disagree about what the problem is?
- How often do we meet, and for how long?
- What happens if one of us is more motivated than the other?
- Do you offer online sessions?
- What does each session cost, and do you provide receipts for reimbursement?
- How will we know whether it is working?
Practical things that matter
Good therapy only helps if you can keep showing up. Check whether the schedule fits your lives, whether the location or online format is realistic, and whether the cost is sustainable.
Many couples therapists are private pay. Ask whether they accept HSA or FSA cards and whether they provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. See how this works at Healing Hearts on our private pay page.
Signs of a good fit
- You each feel heard, even when you disagree
- The therapist keeps the focus on the relationship rather than blaming one person
- You understand the plan and what you are working toward
- The pace feels workable for both of you
- You feel safe being honest in the room
What a first session usually involves
Most first sessions are about listening. The therapist hears each partner's view, asks about your history and what you want to change, and explains how they work. You do not need to have everything figured out before you come.
How Healing Hearts answers these questions
- Specialty in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), led by a certified EFT therapist
- Licensed therapists and associate therapists who practice under supervision
- Open seven days a week, 8:00am to 10:00pm
- In person in Murray or by telehealth anywhere in Utah
- $100 to $200 per 50-minute session, with HSA and FSA accepted and monthly superbills
- A free 20-minute consultation before you commit
Choosing a couples therapist: common questions
How do I find a couples therapist in Utah?
Start with licensure and training in a couples model, then call two or three therapists and use the questions above. Many offer a free consultation. Healing Hearts offers a free 20-minute consultation at (801) 610-9409.
How long does couples therapy take?
It depends on the couple and the goals. Your therapist can give you a rough sense after the first few sessions.
What if my partner does not want to go?
Couples therapy works best when both partners attend. If your partner is not ready, an individual session can be a good first step to talk through what you want.
Can we do couples therapy online?
Yes. At Healing Hearts, telehealth couples sessions are available anywhere in Utah. See our guide to in-person and online therapy.
Is marriage counseling different from couples therapy?
The work is the same. Marriage counseling is the older name, and couples therapy is the broader one because you do not have to be married. See our page on marriage counseling in Utah.
Our therapists
Led by Dr. Mallorie Sorce
Dr. Mallorie Sorce, LMFT, Sexologist, Certified EFT Therapist, UAMFT Supervisor, Clinic Owner
Our team includes licensed therapists and associate therapists who practice under supervision.
Private pay practice
We don't bill insurance directly. We accept HSA and FSA cards, and provide a monthly superbill you can submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement. How payment works
Free 20-minute consultation
Call or text (801) 610-9409 for a free 20-minute consultation.
5411 S Vine St #6, Murray, UT 84107 ยท Telehealth statewide across Utah