The things couples ask us most.
Fees, insurance, how sessions work, and the difference between therapy and coaching. If your question is not here, call us — we would rather answer it than have you guess.
What is the difference between therapy and coaching?
Therapy is a licensed clinical service that can address mental health concerns, trauma, and crisis. It is provided by Brian T. Jones, LMHC, and because it is regulated by state licensing boards it is available only to couples physically located in Delaware or Massachusetts.
Coaching is goal-oriented and growth-focused. It does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions and is not a substitute for therapy. It is provided by Emily Jones, Trained FERNS Method Practitioner & Couples Coach, and is available nationwide.
Both use the FERNS Method. Both are $225 per session. The difference is scope of practice, not quality of the work.
How do I know which one we need?
That is exactly what the free 15-minute consultation is for. Tell us what is happening and we will tell you honestly — including if the answer is that neither of us is the right fit and you need something else.
Do both partners need to attend?
Yes — including the free consultation. The relationship is the client, and the work does not function with only one person in the room.
If your partner is hesitant, that is far more common than most people think. Call us before you book and we will talk through how to approach the conversation with them.
What does it cost?
$225 per one-hour session, the same rate for either practitioner. There is one exception: premarital counseling runs as a defined six-session program for $1,295, or you can book premarital sessions individually at $225. The initial 15-minute consultation is free. Full fee details
Do you take insurance?
No. We are private pay only and are not in network with any plan.
To bill insurance for couples work, a clinician has to assign one partner a mental health diagnosis and designate them the identified patient. That diagnosis becomes part of a permanent medical record, and the insurer gains authority over how many sessions you get. Relationship difficulty is not a mental illness and we are not willing to code it as one.
We also do not provide superbills, for the same reason — a superbill requires a diagnosis code, and we do not diagnose.
How often would we meet?
We recommend most couples start weekly. As the work takes hold we move to every other week, and then monthly when that is appropriate. The goal is for you to need us less over time.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel or reschedule at no charge with more than 24 hours' notice. Inside 24 hours there is a $100 late cancellation fee. A missed session with no notice is charged at the full $225.
How does payment work?
A credit card is kept securely on file and charged after each session is completed — never in advance. Autopay is available.
Are sessions in person or online?
All sessions are online through a secure, confidential video platform. We do not offer in-person appointments.
What is the FERNS Method?
A structured relational framework developed by Brian T. Jones that identifies the Feelings, Expectations, Reactivity, and Sensitivities blocking couples from reaching their actual Needs. Every session we run is built on it. Read more about the method
We are not in crisis. Is this still for us?
Yes, and couples who come in before things get serious generally do better — there is more goodwill left to work with. You do not need a catastrophe to justify getting help.
What if we are not sure we want to stay together?
That is a legitimate reason to start. We do not push toward an outcome. Some couples rebuild, some decide to separate and do it with far less damage than they otherwise would. Both are better than deciding permanently during a hard month.
Still have a question?
Ask it on a free 15-minute call. No commitment, and no obligation to book anything afterward.
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