Question 1

How do I know if we need couples counseling?

Accepted Answer

If you and your partner keep having the same argument, feel more like roommates than partners, or struggle to talk without things escalating, couples counseling can help. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from couples therapy. In fact, couples who seek relationship counseling early — before resentment builds — tend to see faster, longer-lasting results. Whether you're dealing with communication breakdowns, trust issues, intimacy concerns, or simply feeling disconnected, therapy gives you a structured, supportive space to work through it together.

Question 2

Does couples therapy actually work?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Research consistently shows that couples therapy is effective for the majority of couples who commit to the process. Studies on evidence-based approaches like the ones I use — including the Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) and the Developmental Model of Couples Counseling — show meaningful improvements in communication, conflict resolution, and relationship satisfaction. The biggest predictors of success are showing up consistently and being willing to look at your own role in the relationship dynamic, not just your partner's.

Question 3

What's the difference between couples therapy and marriage counseling?

Accepted Answer

In practice, couples therapy and marriage counseling are essentially the same thing — professional support for two people working on their relationship. "Marriage counseling" traditionally referred to married couples, while "couples therapy" is a broader term that includes dating, engaged, cohabitating, and long-term partners. At my Denver practice, I work with couples at every stage and in every form of relationship, married or not. What matters isn't the label — it's that you get effective, evidence-based help for the relationship you're in.

Question 4

What happens in the first couples counseling session?

Accepted Answer

Your first session is about understanding your relationship — what brought you in, what you've already tried, and what you each want to be different. I'll ask about your history as a couple, your individual backgrounds, and your goals for therapy. There's no judgment and no taking sides. By the end of the first session or two, we'll have a clear picture of the patterns keeping you stuck and a plan for how we'll work on them together.

Question 5

How much does couples counseling cost?

Accepted Answer

I charge $250 for a 60-minute session, $375 for a 90-minute session, and $500 for a 120-minute session. I also offer extended 3-hour VIP intensive sessions for couples who want to make significant progress quickly. Many couples find that longer sessions allow us to get deeper into the work without having to stop just as we're gaining momentum. We can discuss which session length best fits your needs and goals when you contact me.

Question 6

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

I accept cash, checks, all major credit cards, and FSA/HSA cards. Payment is collected at each session, so you'll never receive a surprise bill from my office.

Question 7

Do you take insurance for couples therapy?

Accepted Answer

No, I don't bill insurance directly — but you may still be able to get reimbursed. Many health insurance plans include "out-of-network" benefits for couples counseling, marriage counseling, or individual therapy. If yours does, I'm happy to provide a detailed receipt (called a superbill) that you can submit to your insurance company for direct reimbursement. I recommend calling your insurance provider to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits before your first session. Please note that I cannot see clients who have Medicaid or Medicare.

Question 8

What is the Good Faith Estimate?

Accepted Answer

The Good Faith Estimate is a protection required under the No Surprises Act to prevent unexpected medical bills. Because I collect payment at each session, you'll never receive a surprise bill from me. My fee is $250 per 60-minute session, and you always know your costs up front. You have a right to a Good Faith Estimate, but the nature of therapy makes it difficult to predict exactly how many sessions you'll need — that depends on your goals and how quickly you reach them. If you ever have questions about your estimated costs, just ask. I'm happy to walk you through it.

Question 9

Are you currently accepting new clients?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I'm currently accepting new clients for both in-person and online sessions. I see clients Tuesday through Saturday with daytime, afternoon, and evening availability. Evening appointments fill quickly since they're the most sought after, and I only take on a few new clients each week, so there may be a short wait for your first appointment. After that, we'll meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly depending on the frequency that best supports your goals.

Question 10

Do you offer online couples therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I offer secure online couples therapy and virtual relationship counseling for residents anywhere in Colorado and California. Online sessions work just as well as in-person sessions for most couples — and they remove the obstacles of commuting, parking, and coordinating two busy schedules. Many of my clients alternate between in-person sessions at my Denver office and virtual sessions from home, depending on what their week looks like.

Question 11

Where is your office located, and who can you work with?

Accepted Answer

My office serves couples and individuals throughout the Denver metro area, and I'm licensed to work with residents of both Colorado and California, in person or online. Whether you're in Denver, the surrounding suburbs, elsewhere in Colorado, or anywhere in California, you can access the same quality of relationship counseling.

Question 12

How long are therapy sessions?

Accepted Answer

I offer 60-minute, 90-minute, and 120-minute sessions, as well as 3-hour VIP intensive sessions. Standard weekly sessions are typically 60 or 90 minutes, while many couples choose longer formats when working through complex issues like infidelity recovery or major life decisions. We'll discuss which option best suits you when you reach out.

Question 13

How long will we need to come to couples therapy?

Accepted Answer

Every couple is different, so there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Couples counseling works best when you commit to weekly sessions for several months. As we go, we'll regularly evaluate your progress against your goals and adjust the counseling process as needed. We'll work through any barriers that come up, and as you improve, we'll identify ways to maintain the progress you've made — so the changes last long after therapy ends.

Question 14

Who do you see in your practice?

Accepted Answer

I work with a broad and diverse clientele — from young adults to people in their 70s and beyond. My clients include people who are single, married, divorced, in monogamous relationships, and in polyamorous relationships. I work with queer, bisexual, transgender, transitioning, and straight clients, as well as bi-racial and bi-cultural couples. I also work with people who are contemplating bringing closure to their current relationship. While mine is not a religious counseling practice, I honor and respect any religious views and beliefs you hold.

Question 15

Do you see individuals for relationship counseling, or only couples?

Accepted Answer

I regularly provide individual relationship counseling as well as couples therapy. If you're single, you may be grieving the end of a relationship or want to break painful patterns that have followed you through past relationships. If you're partnered but attending alone, individual relationship therapy can help you understand your role in the dynamic and make changes that often shift the entire relationship. Either way, I can help you heal from past hurts and build the skills for a healthier, more secure relationship going forward.

Question 16

What if my partner won't attend couples therapy with me?

Accepted Answer

You can absolutely come on your own. If you're in a distressed relationship and your partner won't attend couples counseling, individual relationship therapy lets you work on your own contributions to the dynamic. As you change how you show up, you'll often notice your partner responding differently — and many reluctant partners eventually decide to join once they see therapy making a real difference. If your partner ultimately isn't willing to make the changes your relationship needs, we can work together on clarifying your next steps.

Question 17

What is sex therapy, and how do I know if we need it?

Accepted Answer

Sex therapy is a specialized form of talk therapy focused on sexual concerns within your relationship — things like mismatched levels of desire, difficulties with arousal, differing sexual preferences, intimacy after betrayal, or rebuilding physical connection after a dry spell. As a trained sex therapist, I help individuals and couples address any concern about their sexuality or sexual relationship in an open-minded, non-judgmental environment. To be clear: sex therapy is talk therapy only. Whether your sex life is conservative or adventurous, my goal is to help you feel more sexually satisfied in a way that feels safe and mutually agreeable between you and your partner(s).

Question 18

What is intimacy therapy?

Accepted Answer

Intimacy therapy helps couples rebuild emotional and physical closeness when the connection has faded. Intimacy is more than sex — it's the feeling of being truly known, accepted, and desired by your partner. In couples intimacy therapy, we work on the emotional safety, communication, and vulnerability that make physical intimacy possible. If you and your partner feel more like roommates than lovers, intimacy therapy can help you find your way back to each other.

Question 19

What is discernment counseling?

Accepted Answer

Discernment counseling is a short-term, structured process for couples where one or both partners are uncertain about whether to stay in the relationship. In just 1–5 sessions, I'll help you gain clarity about the future of your marriage — whether that means staying together, separating, or divorcing. If you decide to part ways, I'll help you bring closure to your relationship amicably. If you decide to stay, we can transition into couples therapy, where we'll work on rebuilding your relationship and securing its stability for the future. Discernment counseling is especially helpful for "mixed-agenda" couples, where one partner is leaning out of the relationship and the other wants to save it.

Question 20

Do you offer counseling for infidelity and affair recovery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Infidelity counseling is one of the most common reasons couples seek my help, and recovery is absolutely possible. An affair doesn't have to mean the end of your relationship — but healing requires more than time and apologies. In couples counseling after infidelity, we work through the immediate crisis, rebuild safety and trust, understand what made the relationship vulnerable, and create a stronger foundation than the one you had before. Whether you were the betrayed partner or the one who strayed, affair recovery counseling gives you a structured path forward — together or apart.

Question 21

Do you offer premarital counseling?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I offer premarital counseling for engaged couples in Denver and throughout Colorado and California, both in person and online. My practice is non-religious, which makes it a great fit for couples seeking secular premarital counseling — though I welcome and respect couples of all faiths. Premarital counseling helps you set realistic expectations, strengthen your communication, and build conflict-resolution skills before the honeymoon phase fades. Successful marriages aren't built on what you have in common — they're built on how well you handle your differences. Premarital counseling gives you those skills from day one, and it sets the tone for seeking help in the future should you ever need it.

Question 22

Do you offer divorce counseling or co-parenting counseling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you're considering divorce, going through one, or rebuilding afterward, divorce counseling can help you navigate the process with clarity instead of chaos — whether you attend as a couple or individually. For separated or divorced parents, co-parenting counseling helps you build a workable partnership focused on your children, reduce conflict during exchanges and decision-making, and protect your kids from being caught in the middle. Ending a marriage doesn't end your relationship as parents — co-parenting therapy helps you do that next chapter well.

Couples Sex Therapy in Denver

Couples Counseling That Brings Lasting Fulfillment and Happiness

What is Sex Therapy?

Sex Therapy Can Help You Regain Your Intimacy & Deepen Your Connection

Your AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Cara Allan

Meet Cara Allan, Your Couples Sex Therapist

Cara Allan, MA, LMFT, ATR-BC
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist – Colorado License #932
Registered & Board Certified Art Therapist – ATCB# 12-220

What Can Sex Therapy Help With?

What Questions Do You Have?

What is couples sex therapy?

What issues can couples sex therapy help with?

Who is Cara Allan, and what makes her qualified as a sex therapist?

Is it normal to feel nervous about starting sex therapy?

Do both partners need to attend sex therapy?

Is sex therapy appropriate for all sexual orientations and relationship styles?

Do you take insurance?

How do we know if couples sex therapy is right for us?

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