COUPLES THERAPY

Every couple hits rough patches. But when the same arguments keep repeating, when you feel more like roommates than partners, or when trust has been broken, those rough patches can start to feel permanent.

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They don't have to be.

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At Wishart Counseling Group, we specialize in couples therapy using the Gottman Method — the most extensively researched approach to relationship therapy available today. Ryan Wishart is a Level 3 Gottman-trained therapist, meaning he has completed the highest levels of clinical training offered by the Gottman Institute. This isn't generic couples counseling — it's a structured, proven approach built on over 40 years of research with thousands of couples.

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How Gottman Method Couples Therapy Works

Gottman therapy begins with a thorough assessment of your relationship. This includes a joint session, individual sessions with each partner, and validated questionnaires that help identify your specific strengths and challenges. From there, we build a customized treatment plan focused on three core areas:

Strengthening Friendship and Connection — Rebuilding the fondness, admiration, and emotional awareness that form the foundation of your relationship.

Managing Conflict Productively — Learning to navigate disagreements without contempt, criticism, defensiveness, or stonewalling — the four patterns that research shows are most damaging to relationships.

Creating Shared Meaning — Aligning your values, dreams, and life goals so you're building a life together that matters to both of you.

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Common Reasons Couples Seek Our Help

• Communication has broken down and you feel unheard or misunderstood.

• The same arguments keep cycling with no resolution.

• Emotional distance — you feel more like roommates than partners.

• Infidelity or betrayal of trust.

• Navigating major life transitions together such as a new baby, career change, or relocation.

• Sexual intimacy difficulties.

• Pre-marital preparation — building a strong foundation before marriage.

• Deciding whether to stay in or leave the relationship.

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Who We Work With

We provide therapy for all couples regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or relationship structure — married, engaged, dating, cohabiting, and committed partnerships of all kinds. We are a proudly LGBTQIA+ affirming practice.

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Sessions are typically 60 minutes and can be held in our Dilworth office or via secure telehealth for residents of North Carolina and Tennessee.

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Why Gottman? Why Us?

Not all couples therapy is the same. Many therapists offer couples counseling as one of many things they do. At Wishart Counseling Group, couples therapy is a core specialty. Ryan's Gottman Level 3 training means he has invested hundreds of hours in mastering this specific approach, and he brings over 15 years of clinical experience to every session.

Our style is warm, direct, and occasionally humorous. We won't just sit back and let you argue in front of us. We actively guide conversations, teach skills in the room, and hold both partners accountable to the process. Clients consistently tell us this approach helps them feel safe and makes real change happen faster.

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Insurance and Rates

We do not accept insurance for couples therapy. Most insurance plans do not offer benefits for

couples therapy, and in order to remain truly focused on the needs of the couple, we maintain

the couple as the client rather than choosing one partner to be the identified patient (and

receive a diagnosis).

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You are responsible for the full fee for service and will be provided with a

superbill or receipt upon request. You can use this to file for any reimbursement provided by

your insurance plan through out-of-network benefits.

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60-Minute Couples’ Therapy Session: 210.00

90-Minute Couples’ Therapy Session: 305.00

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In some special cases, we may want to meet for “Marathon Couples Therapy” sessions where

we decide to meet for multiple hours in a row in order to 1) facilitate as much change as

possible on the front-end of therapy and 2) help resolve issues that are too complex to do in

shorter periods of time. The fee for this service will follow the hourly rate discussed above.

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Ready to Start?

Call (704) 816-0667 or email Office@wishartcoaching.com to schedule a first session. We look forward to hearing from you!