A Guide to Couples Therapy in Maine
I'm a couples therapist in Maine, and I've worked with hundreds of couples who thought they were the only ones struggling this much.
The couples who end up in therapy aren't the ones failing at relationships. They're actually the brave ones. They're the ones who said "we deserve better than this" and did something about it.
So whether you're in Portland dealing with two demanding careers, in Brunswick trying to balance family expectations, or anywhere else in Maine just trying to feel connected again, this guide is for you.
Start Couples Counseling Today
I offer couples therapy in Maine.
Specializing in couples therapy and evidence-based approaches throughout Maine.
Schedule Your Complimentary ConsultationComplimentary consultation is a brief call to discuss fit, scheduling, and next steps.
Do We Need Couples Therapy?
Okay, so before we dive into the Maine-specific stuff, let's talk about what couples therapy actually is. Because if you've never done it, it can sound kind of... vague? Scary? Like you're going to sit on a couch while someone analyzes your childhood and tells you everything you're doing wrong?
Think of it like going to the gym but for your relationship. You show up, someone who knows what they're doing guides you through exercises, and over time you get stronger. Except instead of biceps, you're building communication skills and emotional connection.
The Different Types of Couples Therapy You'll Find in Maine
Here's something that threw me when I first learned about couples therapy: "couples therapy" isn't just one thing.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
This is the one with the most research backing it up, and honestly, it's pretty powerful stuff. EFT is all about understanding the emotional dance you and your partner are doing—usually without even realizing it.
You know that fight about the dishes that's never actually about the dishes? EFT helps you figure out what it's really about. (Spoiler: it's usually fear of not mattering or not being enough.)
Maine has quite a few EFT-trained therapists, especially in Portland. If you're the type of couple where one person shuts down and the other pursues ("Why won't you talk to me?!" followed by stony silence), this approach can be life-changing.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
The Gottman folks have been studying couples for like 40 years. They can literally watch a couple argue for 5 minutes and predict with scary accuracy whether they'll still be together in 5 years. (Don't worry, they use that power for good.)
What I love about Gottman-trained therapists is they give you actual tools you can use immediately. Not just "communicate better" vague advice, but like, here's exactly what to do when you're both triggered and want to storm off. Here's how to repair after a fight. Here's how to make a bid for connection instead of criticism.
Very practical, very research-based. Popular with couples who like structure and data.
Therapy for Neurodiverse Couples (This One's Close to My Heart)
Okay, this one is SO needed and SO often overlooked. If one or both of you is neurodivergent—ADHD, autism spectrum, sensory processing differences—your relationship probably has some unique challenges that "traditional" couples therapy completely misses.
If one partner needs super explicit communication ("I need you to tell me directly if you're upset") and the other thinks they ARE being clear when they're absolutely not. Or one person's idea of a relaxing evening (quiet, low stimulation) is the other person's nightmare (bored, understimulated).
If you think ADHD might be playing a role in your relationship struggles, I wrote a whole guide about ADHD and couples therapy in Maine that goes deep into how different brain types affect partnerships.
This is actually one of my specialties—helping neurodiverse couples build bridges instead of just feeling frustrated with each other.
Imago Relationship Therapy
This one gets DEEP. It's based on the idea that we're unconsciously attracted to partners who will wound us in the same way we were wounded as kids... so we can finally heal it. Wild, right? If you find yourself thinking "why do I keep ending up in the same situation with different partners," Imago might be your thing.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
This is the "let's fix the specific problem and move on" approach. Great if you're dealing with a particular issue (like how to handle money or whose family to spend holidays with) and you don't need to excavate your entire relationship history. Popular with busy Maine professionals who want results without spending a year in therapy.
The Insurance Situation
The insurance part of couples therapy is... frustrating. Like, really frustrating. I'm going to be straight with you about how it actually works in Maine because I hate when people sugarcoat this stuff.
If You Want to Use Insurance
First, the reality check: a lot of insurance plans don't cover couples therapy. Or they cover it but with so many hoops to jump through that it's barely worth it.
The big insurers in Maine are Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Community Health Options, Harvard Pilgrim, and Martin's Point. Most have some mental health coverage, but "couples therapy" specifically? That's where it gets murky.
For insurance to pay, someone needs a mental health diagnosis. Depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder—something billable. That diagnosis goes in your permanent medical record.
What You're Looking At Cost-Wise With Insurance
Co-pays usually run $20-$50 per session for in-network therapists
You might be limited to 10-20 sessions per year
Some plans need "prior authorization" which is code for "we're going to make you prove you need this"
Out-of-network? You might pay upfront and get some money back later, but reimbursement rates are all over the place
Why People Pay Out of Pocket
I know, I know. "Just pay $150+ per session" might sound like a lot. But hear me out on why a lot of couples choose this route:
No diagnosis in your records: Your therapy is between you, your partner, and your therapist. Period. No permanent mental health diagnosis following you around.
No session limits: Work at your own pace. If you need 30 sessions, you get 30 sessions. If you need 8, great. No insurance company cutting you off when you're making progress.
More flexibility: Intensive sessions, couples retreats, non-traditional approaches—none of that gets covered by insurance anyway.
The Middle Ground: Supberbills
Even if you pay privately, some clients choose to submit sessions to their insurance if they have out-of-network mental health benefits.
In this case, you would pay the therapist directly. A “superbill” (an itemized receipt with billing codes) can then be provided for you to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Reimbursement amounts vary widely by plan and are not guaranteed. Some people with PPO plans in Maine receive partial reimbursement after meeting their deductible, while others may receive little or none. Coverage depends entirely on your specific policy.
To understand what your plan allows, it’s best to contact your insurance provider and ask about out-of-network mental health benefits before scheduling.
Where You Are in Maine
Portland might as well be a different state from Aroostook County. Where you live affects what therapists you have access to, how much they cost, and whether you're doing telehealth or driving to an office.
Portland & Greater Portland
The vibe: Most options, most specialization, most expensive.
If you want a therapist who specifically works with, say, polyamorous neurodiverse couples who are navigating one partner's career transition, Portland probably has one. The concentration of specialized therapists here is unmatched in Maine.
You'll pay: $150-$225 per session
Best for: LGBTQ+ couples, neurodiverse folks, anyone wanting cutting-edge approaches. Also good if you need evening/weekend appointments because there's more availability.
Areas: West End, Old Port, Back Cove, Deering, Riverton all have established practices.
Brunswick & Midcoast Maine
The vibe: Smaller town feel, easier parking (a real luxury), slightly cheaper than Portland but still quality care.
You'll pay: $125-$180 per session
Best for: If you want excellent therapy without Portland prices. Lots of therapists here get generational Maine dynamics and military families (thanks to the Naval Air Station).
Covers: Brunswick, Topsham, Bath, Bowdoinham, Freeport, Harpswell
Southern Maine (York County)
The vibe: Growing fast. You're close enough to tap into Portland resources but with slightly lower costs.
You'll pay: $130-$200 per session
Areas: Biddeford, Saco, Scarborough, South Portland, Kennebunk, Sanford
Best for: Good middle ground if you want choices without city prices. Some therapists here also serve seasonal residents, so they get the whole "we're only here half the year" dynamic.
Central & Western Maine
The vibe: Fewer options, but what's here is solid. Lower cost of living = lower therapy rates.
You'll pay: $100-$160 per session
Areas: Lewiston-Auburn, Augusta, Waterville, Bangor
Best for: If you're okay with telehealth (and you should be), this is perfect—you get access to therapists across Maine at more affordable rates. Community mental health centers are strong here too.
Virtual Therapy Across Maine
If you live in Maine you can work with a virtual therapist who is licensed in Maine, this can be a huge advantage especially if they have an area that you’re seeking but not in your city. Or you might feel more comfortable in your home or office for sessions. Virtual therapy has a lot of perks but ultimately depending on what works for you and your schedule/needs. At Sagebrush Counseling, I offer virtual/telehealth across Maine meaning you can be located anywhere in Maine at the time of the session. Maine has 35 people per square mile. THIRTY-FIVE. If you're in Aroostook County or Downeast, you could be looking at an hour-plus drive to see a specialized couples therapist. In winter. On roads that may or may not be plowed yet.
Telehealth fixes that.
How Much is Couples Therapy in Maine?
Therapy is or can be expensive. There's no getting around it. But going in with realistic expectations helps you budget properly and not freak out when you see the first bill.
What You're Looking At in Maine
These are averages in the state and can vary by therapist.
Standard couples session (50-60 min): $125-$225
Extended session (80-90 min): $200-$350 (often recommended for couples therapy because 50 minutes isn't always enough)
Initial assessment: $150-$300 (may be same as regular session cost)
Intensive therapy (2-3 hour sessions): $400-$750 (for breakthrough work or crisis situations)
Sliding scale: $60-$100 (for more resources on sliding scale therapy in Maine, you can check out this guide or ask therapists if they offer sliding scale appointments or have availability for lower cost sessions).
The Real Investment
Most couples need 12-20 sessions to see real, lasting change. At $150/session average in Maine, that's $1,800-$3,000 total.
But here's some perspective: the average divorce in Maine costs $15,000-$30,000 in legal fees alone. Not counting splitting assets, moving costs, impact on kids, or the emotional toll that's... honestly priceless (in the bad way).
Think of therapy as preventive maintenance. You'd spend $3,000 to fix your car before it dies on I-95 in winter, right? Your relationship deserves at least that much investment.
Do Maine therapists offer evening or weekend appointments?
Many do. However, these prime slots fill quickly. Book as far in advance as possible, or ask to be on a waitlist.
Telehealth often offers more flexibility since therapists can see clients outside traditional office hours without commuting.
Don't Forget to Actually Enjoy Each Other
While you're doing the hard work of therapy, you also need to remember why you're doing it. You need positive experiences together to balance the heavy emotional lifting.
Maine is actually perfect for this. If you need ideas for reconnecting outside the therapy room, I wrote a whole post about romantic getaways near Portland that includes everything from budget-friendly day trips to splurge-worthy weekend escapes.
Sometimes you just need to get out of your usual environment, have fun together, and remember that you actually like each other. Novel experiences release dopamine and oxytocin—the bonding chemicals. Use that to your advantage.
Why Work With Me?
There are tons of amazing therapists out there. Here are some of my areas of expertise and my bio. I offer 15-minute brief consultations via phone to answer questions and go over scheduling. I also can provide recommendations if I feel I’m not the best fit for you.
Neurodiverse couples where different wiring types create massive communication gaps. High-conflict couples who are stuck in destructive cycles and can't seem to get out. Rebuilding trust after affairs (it's possible, but it takes specific work).
I bring training in evidence-based approaches including solutions focued therapy and Gottman Method.
What working with me looks like:
Complimentary 15-minute consultation—let's make sure we're a good fit before you commit
Evening and weekend appointments (because 9-5 doesn't work for everyone)
Telehealth for anyone in Maine—you don't have to be local
Transparent pricing and superbills if you want to try for insurance reimbursement
I'm not going to tell you it'll be easy. Couples therapy is hard work. But if you're both willing to show up and do the work, I can help you build something better.
The couples who make it aren't the ones who never fight or never struggle. They're the ones who face their problems head-on with help.
Start Couples Counseling Today
I offer couples therapy in Maine.
Specializing in couples therapy and evidence-based approaches throughout Maine.
Schedule Your Complimentary ConsultationComplimentary consultation is a brief call to discuss fit, scheduling, and next steps.
