Therapy Fees
50-Minute Therapy Session
(Couples & Individuals)
$450
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80-Minute Therapy Session
(Couples & Individuals)
$700
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Intensive Couples Therapy
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All intensive therapy requires two 80-minute intake sessions, billed at $700 each.
Intensive therapy is typically held in 3-hour blocks, billed at $550 per 60 minutes.
Please see my Intensive Therapy page for details.
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Discernment Counseling
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Session 1 (Initial Intake): 120 minutes — $900
Sessions 2–5 (follow-up sessions): 80 minutes each — $700 per session
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Cancellation & Payment Policies
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Weekly and biweekly clients are subject to a 48-hour full-fee cancellation policy.
Initial intake appointments require a full-fee deposit, as time is reserved exclusively for you and other inquiries are declined.
Payment is accepted via credit card or HSA.
You will add your card securely through my online client portal when completing your intake paperwork.
Therapy Investment
Invest in yourself. Transform your relationships.
Kimberly Schildbach, MEd, MFT, LMHC
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist and Certified Discernment Counselor
Serious Skills. Real Results.
I am highly trained and certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Discernment Counseling because they’re designed for couples in high-stakes moments. EFT helps partners shift long-standing patterns and reconnect. Discernment Counseling offers a focused, time-limited process so couples can make a confident decision about the future of their relationship.
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For Couples Whose Fights Escalate Quickly - or Who Fear Being Judged
Maybe your arguments spiral fast. Things get said that you regret. Afterwards, you wonder, What kind of person does that? What kind of couple are we?
I specialize in working with couples who feel overwhelmed by their own reactions. I know how to hold space for the mess, the pain, and the hope that brought you here.
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For Couples Who’ve Tried Therapy Before
If you’ve been to couples therapy and left feeling more confused than connected—you’re not alone. I specialize in working with couples who’ve felt underserved, overlooked, or frustrated by past therapy.
This isn’t your typical “So, how does that make you feel?” session (though I do ask that). I catch the bullets and the blocks and make them implicit—so we can get to what’s really happening beneath the surface.
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20+ Years of Experience
This isn’t my first therapy rodeo. From my intern days to now, I’ve worked with couples who felt lost, exhausted, or on the edge.
Repetition has sharpened my instincts. Experience has made me bold. I’m direct (with heart), clear, and fully engaged in helping you move through the stuck spots.
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Custom Care
I keep my practice small so I can show up fully for couples doing some of the hardest, most important work of their lives. If you’re reeling from a disclosure or weighing whether to stay or part ways, I want you to feel held and supported.
I guard my energy carefully - so you get the very best of me when it matters most.
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Couples Are All That I Do
I work with couples. Almost only couples. When I work with individuals, we’re still focused on relationship work - separation, divorce, infidelity, or figuring out what love looks like now.
This is my zone of genius. I’m continually training and deepening my work so I can help you rebuild trust, shift old patterns, and reconnect - with each other and with yourselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your cancellation and booking policy? A full-fee, non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking for all initial intakes for weekly or biweekly therapy, Discernment Counseling, and Intensive Therapy services (including the two 80-minute intake sessions required for Intensives). When you book, you’re reserving time set aside just for our work together. I hold that space exclusively and turn away other clients in order to honor our commitment. These policies are in place to respect the time and energy we’re both investing in this process. For ongoing weekly/biweekly/discernment therapy I require 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. If you cancel your appointment with less then 48 hours' notice you will be charged the full amount for the session.
Do you take insurance? As a highly specialized provider, I offer deeply personalized, expert care that isn’t limited by insurance restrictions. I am an out-of-network provider, and full payment is required at the time of service. However, your insurance may reimburse part of the cost as an out-of-network benefit. I can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement for individual therapy sessions where I can provide a mental health diagnosis. Couples therapy and discernment counseling do not include a mental health diagnosis and are typically not reimbursed by insurance. For couples therapy, I can include a Z code (Z63.0 – Relationship distress with spouse or partner), which some insurance plans may reimburse—but MOST do not. Please check with your insurance provider to find out whether they will reimburse services with a Z code or those without a formal diagnosis. Reimbursement should be seen as a bonus not a requirement for working with me.
Why can't you bill my insurance like our previous couples therapist? Some couples therapists diagnose one partner and continue therapy based on that diagnosis. The problem is that once a diagnosis is made, therapy must focus on that individual’s issues, rather than addressing the true dynamics of the relationship. This can lead to complications, even insurance fraud. I provide specialized couples therapy, focusing on the core of your relationship struggles, not just the possible effects. That said, I can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement, using the Z63.0 code (Problems in Primary Relationship). It is your responsibility to check if your insurance carrier will reimburse you. Reimbursement should be seen as a bonus not a requirement for working with me.
What happens after I contact you for therapy? Once we connect and you schedule a session, I’ll send you a link to complete your intake paperwork. This must be submitted to secure your spot. For online sessions, we’ll meet on my secure therapy platform, SimplePractice. You’ll receive a reminder email or text with the meeting link 48 hours before your appointment—and again 10 minutes before we start. Before our session, check in a few minutes early. If you're meeting individually, use earbuds with a microphone for the best sound quality. If you're meeting as a couple, position your camera so I can see both of you. When you log in, you’ll enter a virtual waiting room. At our scheduled time, I’ll start the session.
We don't live in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Washington, or Florida but really want to work with you! If you believe I’m the right fit for you and are open to traveling for a couples therapy intensive, come to beautiful Massachusetts, Connecticut, Washington, or Florida and we'll meet online from your hotel room. I am only licensed to work within those 4 states.
How do I know if you're the right therapist for us? The right therapist makes all the difference—especially when your relationship is on the line. I’m not just a therapist who sees couples; I’m a highly trained couples therapist specializing in infidelity, high-conflict relationships, and couples on the brink of separation or divorce. I continually deepen my expertise in these areas because I understand how complex and painful these situations can be. Studies show that the connection between therapist and client is key to meaningful change. My clients describe me as warm, direct, and deeply engaged. Because I intentionally keep my caseload small, I offer highly personalized, focused care. That said, I’m not the right therapist for everyone, and I don’t claim to be perfect. If at any point you feel our work isn’t helping you move forward, I hope you’ll share your concerns. You deserve the best support possible, and if I’m not the right fit, I will help you find someone who is.
My spouse doesn't want to come to therapy. To encourage your partner to consider therapy, present it as a positive step toward strengthening your relationship. Emphasize that therapy is a safe, blame-free space where both of you can openly discuss concerns and work through challenges together. Avoid accusatory language and focus on your desire for a healthier, more fulfilling relationship. If they’re hesitant, suggest a trial session to see if we're a good fit. Even if your partner doesn’t see themselves as emotional—remember, if they breathe, they have emotions! I provide a welcoming, non-judgmental space where they can explore those feelings authentically. However, if your partner is leaning out of the relationship and isn’t ready to fully engage in therapy, it won’t be effective. In that case, Discernment Counseling may be a better fit, helping both of you gain clarity on the future of your relationship.
Do you offer a free consultation? I’m confident in my ability to help, and a brief consultation may not fully convey how I work. I prefer to begin with a full first session, allowing you to get a better sense of my approach and how it aligns with your needs. My goal is to always keep us moving forward, so even after our first session, you’ll walk away with greater clarity and a renewed sense of hope. If I’m not the right fit for you, I’ll help you find someone who is.
Is what I say confidential? Yes. All client-counselor conversations are private and confidential. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include: ​​​Suspected child abuse, abuse or neglect of a disabled adult or older adult. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately. If a client is threatening grave bodily harm to another person. The counselor is required to notify the police. If a client intends to harm himself or herself. This is not the same as thinking about suicide which is sometimes a symptom of depression or anxiety. I may have to notify someone if you have an idea, a plan, and a way to carry out your plan.
What can I expect during a couples therapy session? In a couples therapy session, expect a structured, supportive environment where both partners can openly express their thoughts and emotions. I guide you through a process of slowing down conflict, identifying triggers, and understanding the deeper emotions driving your interactions. Rather than assigning blame, we focus on recognizing negative cycles and finding new ways to reach each other.
How does online therapy work for couples? Online therapy provides the same structured, research-based approach as in-person sessions, with the added convenience of meeting from your own space. We connect through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, ensuring privacy and confidentiality. You and your partner can join from the same location or separate ones. I facilitate discussions, offer real-time guidance, and help you navigate challenges in your relationship—all without the stress of travel or scheduling conflicts. Many couples find online therapy just as effective, if not more so, due to the comfort of being in their own environment.
What kinds of couples and relationships do you work with? I work with a wide range of couples, including heterosexual and LGBTQ+ partners, as well as those in relationships involving nonbinary or gender diverse individuals. I also work with polyamorous relationships, especially those that are already established. In addition to couples therapy, I offer family therapy for families with children ages 16 and older. All relationships are welcome—whatever your structure, identity, or background, you’ll be met with respect and openness. While I’m not a certified sex therapist, I do help couples address concerns around intimacy and sexual connection. If more specialized sex therapy is needed, I’ll gladly connect you with a trusted colleague.