Online couples counseling practice

Couples who pay out of pocket, often dating, engaged or married partners who want help without going through insurance.

A set fee per session, usually weekly or every two weeks. Some counselors offer longer sessions or short packages for couples in a crisis.

• Active listening and calm presence
• Training in couples or family therapy
• Clear boundaries and good record keeping

• Counseling couples usually requires a state license (for example LMFT or LPC), so check your state board's rules, including title protection
• Professional liability (malpractice) insurance
• Privacy rules like HIPAA, and telehealth rules if clients are in a different state from you
• Check ethics and safety rules for couples work, such as handling domestic violence concerns
• Check your state's rules on advertising and on what you may call yourself

Estimates typically put startup costs around $500 to $3,000, depending on your secure video and record-keeping tools, insurance and any marketing you do. Treat these figures as estimates.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many sessions you offer and the rates you set. Treat these as estimates, not guarantees.

Check your state board's licensing rules (such as LMFT or LPC), title protection and advertising rules. Also check malpractice insurance, HIPAA, telehealth rules if clients are in another state, and ethics and safety rules such as domestic violence concerns.