Need Boston area marriage counseling

February 1, 2013 7:02 PM

Hello. The other Boston area marriage counseling posts are several years old. I hope metafilter can help me find a good marriage counselor. My husband and have been together for 17 years, married for four years. He is at his wits end dealing with my depression (which I'm currently in treatment for). We need to talk to someone soon. Please give me some recommendations of good couples counselors.
posted by anonymous to human relations (5 answers total)

Unfortunately, I don't have a Boston-specific rec, but I wanted to suggest that you talk to your current therapist about possibly having your husband come to an appointment with you. Since you may need to wait to get an appointment with a marriage counselor (or might not click with the first one you see), it may be helpful for your husband to see what you're doing in your treatment, as well as for your therapist to see the dynamic between you and your husband.

You can also ask your therapist or psychiatrist to recommend a marriage counselor, if you are satisfied with the treatment you're receiving from them (and thus trust their professional judgment).
posted by Meg_Murry at 11:35 PM on February 1

Re. the above, in my experience some therapists will not meet with their client's partner. Something about remaining impartial, even if the other party isn't acting as a primary client. Can't hurt to ask, though.
posted by celtalitha at 11:55 PM on February 1

Following up on celtalitha's comment--I've found the opposite, but this may vary. In my case, I spoke to a therapist who, with some clients, liked to see the partner every once in a while. She said that, in her experience, it was interesting and useful to see the relationship in action to compare it to what her client was experiencing/feeling. I don't know how common this is, and I'm sure that there are therapists who wouldn't go for it, but I think it's worth asking.
posted by Meg_Murry at 7:42 AM on February 2

In Harvard Square, Randi Kaufman is very good, particularly with non-traditional lifestyles. link
posted by rmd1023 at 8:12 AM on February 2

I saw Miriam Kahn with my sweet mathematician ex many years ago; one of the issues in our relationship was that we both had depression and anxiety stuff going on, and she was good at identifying where that caused friction. She's at 339 Broadway, Cambridge, [phone].
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:00 AM on February 2