How to find a couples therapist you can both trust

Picture two browser tabs open late at night, each full of smiling therapist headshots. Every profile says “couples.” Every bio sounds kind. How do you tell who is actually trained for the work you need? Finding a couples therapist is less about finding “the best therapist in Michigan” and more about finding the right one for the two of you. Here is a practical way to do it.

Step 1: Know which credentials to look for

In Michigan, several licensed professions can provide couples therapy. The license names below are the ones LARA uses in its public license search:

• Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Marriage and Family Therapist Educational Limited (LLMFT). Training centers on relationships. Michigan requires at least half of an MFT’s supervised practicum and postgraduate client hours to be with couples, families or family subsystems in the room (MCL 333.16909).
• Licensed Professional Counselor and Limited Licensed Counselor. Broad counseling training; Michigan’s definition of counseling includes work with an individual, couple, group or family.
• Masters Social Worker and Masters Social Worker Limited. Michigan’s definition of master’s-level practice includes couple and family counseling and psychotherapy.
• Psychologist and Masters Limited Psychologist. Training in assessment, diagnosis and therapy.

Any of these professionals may be an excellent couples therapist. What matters is that their license is active and that they have specific training and experience with couples. For a side-by-side comparison, see therapist credentials explained. If you see “LLMFT,” that is a limited licensed marriage and family therapist who practices under the supervision of a fully licensed MFT while completing postgraduate hours.

Step 2: Verify the license

This takes about two minutes and is free. LARA’s online license search lets you choose a license type, enter a name or license number, and see the license status, issue and expiration dates, and any disciplinary action. Our step-by-step guide shows exactly how: how to verify a Michigan therapist license.

Step 3: Search the right directories

• AAMFT TherapistLocator (therapistlocator.net), run by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, focuses on marriage and family therapists.
• Psychology Today lets you filter Michigan therapists by issue, insurance, price and type of therapy.
• Method-specific directories, such as the Gottman Referral Network and ICEEFT’s directory of emotionally focused therapists, if you want a particular approach.
• Open Path Collective, if you need reduced-fee care and meet its eligibility rules.

A directory listing is self-reported, so still verify the license yourself.

Step 4: Ask about training in couples work

A general therapy license does not tell you how much couples-specific training someone has. Ask what approaches they use and where they trained. You might hear about the Gottman Method, emotionally focused therapy, integrative behavioral couple therapy, or a blend. Research reviews have found that differences between established couple therapy approaches tend to be small, so a thoughtful answer matters more than any brand name.

Step 5: Use a consultation call well

Many therapists offer a brief call before booking. Questions worth asking:

1. How much of your practice is couples work?
2. What approach do you use, and what does a typical session look like?
3. How do you handle it when one partner shares something privately?
4. How do you make sure neither partner feels ganged up on?
5. What are your fees, session length and cancellation policy? Do you take insurance or offer a sliding scale?
6. How do you assess safety in a relationship?

Pay attention to how each of you feels on the call, not only to the answers. If you are unsure what to expect afterward, read what happens in the first couples therapy session.

Practical Michigan considerations

Michigan is a big state, and a winter commute from Marquette or Traverse City can turn a 50-minute session into a half-day trip. Before you choose, think honestly about what you can sustain: office location, evening availability, and whether online sessions would help. If you are considering telehealth, Michigan’s marriage and family therapy rules require a licensee to obtain consent before providing a telehealth service and to exercise the same standard of care as in person (R 338.7204). Because you will be located in Michigan during sessions, confirm the therapist holds a Michigan license and ask how they handle privacy on video calls. Consistency matters more than convenience alone: a good therapist you can actually see regularly beats a perfect one you can reach once a month.

Red flags to watch for

• No license you can find on LARA, or a status that is not current.
• Promises of guaranteed results, such as “we save every marriage.”
• Taking sides early, or treating one partner as the “patient.”
• Pressure to keep secrets from your partner without a clear policy.
• Suggesting an inaccurate diagnosis so insurance will pay.
• Dismissing safety concerns. Couples therapy is generally not recommended when there is ongoing violence or fear, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) can help you think through options.

What if you can’t agree on a therapist?

That is common, and it can be a small rehearsal of the work itself. Try each picking two candidates, then doing short calls together. If one partner is unsure about therapy at all, or about the relationship, discernment counseling is designed for couples where one person is leaning out.

What does the right fit feel like?

You should both feel heard, treated fairly and a little hopeful, even if the first session is uncomfortable. Think of it like finding a good trail guide for a hike you have never done: you want someone experienced, honest about the terrain, and steady when the path gets steep. If you’d like to learn about one option, you can read about Iryna Morhunova-Sutton, LLMFT, and her collaborative, compassionate approach, or explore couples therapy.