
Counseling Frequently Asked Questions
with Marina Stanton, Couples Counselor and Sex Therapist
Frequently Asked Questions about Counseling
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$205 for a standard 50-minute session
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I use Stripe through the Simple Practice portal to bill your credit card at the end of each session. I also accept third-party payments such as payments from clergy.
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I am strictly private pay, which means I do not bill insurance companies directly. However, I am happy to provide superbills—these are detailed invoices you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement, depending on your plan’s out-of-network benefits. A superbill typically includes information such as diagnosis codes, session dates, and fees paid.
If you plan to seek reimbursement through insurance using a superbill, I recommend checking with your provider about your out-of-network coverage before starting therapy.
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I have chosen not to be paneled with insurance companies because it helps me retain the autonomy needed to provide you with an excellent experience. Insurance companies often place limits on session length, diagnoses covered, and types of treatment allowed.
More importantly, I primarily see couples. Most insurance plans don’t cover couples counseling or relationship issues. To bill insurance, I would need to provide a psychiatric diagnosis to “justify” treatment. Since Revive specializes in relationship-based therapy, I focus on the interaction between partners rather than identifying a single “patient.” I believe this approach is in the best interest of my clients.
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I require at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment without a fee. If you provide less than 48 hours’ notice, you will be charged the full session fee. I understand that emergencies happen—please reach out if you need to discuss your situation.
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No, I currently see clients during school hours, Monday through Thursdays between 9 am - 3pm MST.
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I prefer to schedule recurring sessions at the same time each week. This consistent schedule helps you plan your week and make therapy a predictable part of your routine. Unlike some therapists who schedule appointments at the end of each session, I believe having a set weekly time makes things easier for both of us. Of course, if you ever need to change or reschedule a session, just let me know in advance, and I’ll do my best to accommodate.
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Yes! I recently relocated and have an office near Denver, Colorado in Centennial. If you cannot attend in person, I also offer virtual therapy for clients located in Colorado, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
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Yes—I offer secure, HIPAA-compliant online therapy for clients located in Colorado, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Whether you're juggling a busy schedule, live outside the Denver metro area, or simply prefer the comfort of your own home, virtual sessions are a flexible and effective option.
Online therapy allows us to do the same meaningful work together—whether we’re addressing communication breakdowns, intimacy struggles, or sexual concerns—all without the commute. If you're not sure if online couples counseling or sex therapy is the right fit, we can talk through that during a free 15-minute consultation.
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IteI am licensed to provide therapy in Colorado, Texas, Utah, and Washington. In Washington, Texas, and Utah, I offer only online therapy. In Colorado, I offer both in-person sessions in my Centennial office as well as online sessions.
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Yes, as long as you are parked in a safe location and have a stable internet connection, you are more than welcome to attend your therapy session from your car.
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Congratulations on taking the first step! You’ll have a free 15-20 minute phone consultation to discuss your goals and see if we’re a good fit. If I’m not the best match for your needs, I’ll gladly provide a referral.
If you decide to move forward, you’ll receive an email with a link to online client forms. Please complete these at least 24 hours before your first appointment so I can better understand your needs.
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The first two sessions are called assessment sessions. This session is a chance to “get to know” each other. It includes a review of your initial paperwork and assessments. I will invite you to share your story and find out why you are seeking help at his time. We will discuss what you are hoping to get out of therapy, and how therapy can help you. I also want you to have a chance to connect with me and determine that I am a good fit for working with both you and your partner. In the initial meeting, I will also inquire about coordinating with any other professionals involved in your care, with your permission, in order to provide you with the most comprehensive care possible.
During the next two sessions, I spend one session meeting with each partner individually for us to discuss your individual point of view. This allows me to get a deeper understanding of your challenges, without feeling like you have to censor yourself. I do not share the content of these sessions with your partner. However, I do not keep secrets, and if you disclose something that your partner is unaware of and would possibly destabilize your relationship, I will work with you in order to help you disclose this to your partner.
Usually by the fifth session, we will begin to formulate a treatment plan and establish goals for our work.
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On average, most couples experience turmoil or dissatisfaction for 6 years before seeking help. That’s a long time! So by the time you are calling me, you are ready to jump in and make changes!
I believe that most people could benefit from objectivity in order to help them gain clarity on the issues they are struggling with. Feeling stuck is a good indicator that you may benefit from working with a trained therapist that can help you in a way that a partner or friend might not be able to—from evidenced based practices that are specific to your particular challenges.
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For couples counseling and sex therapy, it’s not cut and dry. It’s impossible to predict the total number of sessions needed, as each couple is unique and the number of sessions will vary. Premarital counseling usually takes 8-12 sessions.
Some couples will need as few as 12 sessions. I usually recommend planning for 6-12 months. I tell clients it’s a bit like losing weight— you are learning new skills that take time to implement, and you may see small changes over time which make a big difference!
If you are interested in couples therapy, please be willing to commit to the therapy process. Research has found that couples who commit to weekly sessions have more progress in less sessions than those who are not coming weekly. Most couples experience the most benefit and positive growth between session 7-10. However, many couples drop out before they even reach the 6th session. Please plan to give therapy a chance to work, and make a commitment to attending at least 8-10 sessions!
Fit between you, your partner, and me is extremely important. This is why I do 15 minute consultations to make sure I’m a great fit! In addition, I will check in with you on both the first, and fifth sessions to make sure we are on the same page, and elicit feedback throughout the therapy process. If what we are doing is not working for you, I want to know, and either change up my approach or refer you to someone would be a better fit!
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I understand. Believe me, I’ve been there myself. So much of therapy depends on your relationship with your therapist. And when you are seeking couples counseling, it can be especially hard to find a therapist that seems to “get” both of you, is non-judgmental, and is providing the type of care that you find beneficial. I tell my clients that finding a therapist is like dating— you have to have a connection! It can be even more tricky to find a couples counselor— just like it can be harder to find “couple friends” that you BOTH connect with!
Even if that’s not me, I encourage you to keep trying until you find someone that works for YOU! I believe your marriage is too important not to!
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I know starting therapy can be an anxiety inducing experience. This is totally normal. It’s scary to be completely vulnerable with a virtual stranger! But all you need to prepare for therapy is an open mind and willingness to grow. Some people find it helpful to bring a timeline of events or some general notes about the issue that brings them in. This is certainly not required though. You may also find it helpful to think about what you want from therapy. If you have been to therapy before, it may be helpful to think about what went well with your previous therapist, and what didn’t work well, so we can discuss it and make sure you feel comfortable with me!
If you have never done online counseling before, check out my online counseling FAQs page!
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Confidentiality is one of the most important parts of therapy and allows one to open up and speak freely. Session contents are kept confidential except when there is a risk of imminent danger to self and others. If you wish for us to talk to someone else regarding your treatment (individual therapist, doctor, psychiatrist, clergy), you will be asked to complete an Authorization to Disclose Information form.
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I do not work with clients who:
Are in active abusive situations (for safety reasons).
Are not motivated or willing to do their part in the relationship work, including homework assignments.
Have mental health conditions that need treatment before starting couples counseling, as these may interfere with therapy progress.
Are dealing with active affairs or an affair is the primary focus of the type of therapy you are looking for (as these often require specialized care first).
Are currently in crisis or experiencing significant instability—therapy is most effective when clients are relatively stable and able to engage in the process.