Call Now Contact Us

Couples Therapy in Denver

Relationships can be hard, especially when emotions run high or communication breaks down. Our Couples DBT Program — based in the Denver Tech Center and offered statewide online — helps you navigate emotional intensity, improve communication, and repair trust.

DBT-Based Skills-focused approach
Structured Clear plan & goals
Emotion Skills Regulation & mindfulness
Certified Program Highest clinical standards

What Is Couples DBT?

Couples DBT is different from traditional couples therapy. Instead of just talking through issues, you'll learn how to analyze ineffective behaviors and replace them with skills that actually work. DBT helps you stay calm, listen better, and respond in ways that bring you closer — not further apart.

You and your partner work directly with a DBT-trained clinician who guides the process with empathy, structure, and clarity.

How the Program Works

I

Assessment

Joint sessions, detailed intake, and a computerized assessment that highlights your specific strengths and struggles. Your therapist creates a customized plan outlining shared goals and treatment focus.

II

Weekly Sessions

Weekly therapy sessions combining communication work with practical DBT skills. We focus first on creating safety and understanding, then shift into reducing conflict and deepening connection.

III

Maintenance

Once you've built a solid foundation, biweekly or monthly sessions for continued support. These tune-ups help you stay grounded, practice new skills, and keep the progress going.

Skills You'll Learn Together

Couples DBT focuses on concrete, evidence-based tools that shift how you relate, repair, and reconnect.

Mindfulness

Stay present during difficult conversations instead of reacting

Emotion Regulation

Manage intense feelings without escalating conflict

Validation

Understand and acknowledge your partner's experience

Boundary Setting

Express needs clearly while respecting your partner's

When Is It Time for Couples Therapy?

The sooner, the better. Most couples wait too long. If your relationship has been feeling tense, unbalanced, or emotionally distant, therapy can help shift things before they fracture.

Recurring arguments that never feel resolved
Communication that feels hostile, tense, or shut down
One or both partners feeling emotionally overwhelmed or disconnected
Ongoing stress related to infidelity, grief, or major life transitions
Feeling more like roommates than romantic partners

What If One Partner Is Struggling More?

Relationships don't happen in a vacuum. If one or both partners is dealing with their own mental health concerns, our program allows space for both shared and individual support. We may recommend joining our Adult DBT program for more in-depth skills work.

Couples Therapy in the Denver Tech Center

Our office at 5300 DTC Parkway, Suite 450 serves couples from across the south Denver metro. Easy access from I-25 and Belleview — which matters, because "can we actually both get there on a weeknight" is half the battle of starting couples therapy.

We're a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Program™, a rare designation in Colorado. Our Couples DBT Program is overseen by Tanner Oliver, LCSW, FRTC's General Manager, who personally sees couples alongside our broader clinical team. Every couples clinician at FRTC is trained and supervised in DBT — not dabbling in it.

For couples outside the metro, or couples whose schedules don't line up for in-person, the full program runs identically over secure video. As long as both partners are located in Colorado during the session, we can see you.

Denver neighborhoods we serve

Greenwood VillageDenver Tech Center (DTC)CentennialEnglewoodCherry CreekWashington ParkPark HillLoDo / Downtown DenverLittletonLone TreeHighlands RanchCastle RockParkerAuroraLakewood

Statewide via telehealth if you're outside the metro. Ask us — we can almost certainly see you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does couples therapy cost in Denver?
Couples therapy rates in Denver typically range from $150 to $300 per 50-75 minute session depending on the therapist's training and modality. Our Couples DBT Program is priced in line with that range; the exact rate and session length is confirmed in your consultation. Because we don't bill insurance directly for couples work (see next question), you'll know your cost up front — no surprise in-network vs. out-of-network math. See our full billing page →
Does insurance cover couples therapy in Colorado?
This is where couples therapy gets tricky in Colorado and nationally. Most insurance plans — including Colorado Access Medicaid — do NOT cover couples or relationship therapy, because insurance reimburses treatment of a diagnosed mental health condition in an individual, and 'the relationship' isn't a diagnosis. A few plans cover couples therapy only when one partner carries a covered diagnosis and the therapy is clearly in service of that diagnosis. We can provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement, but realistically most couples pay out of pocket. HSA and FSA funds can usually be applied.
Where are your couples therapy sessions held in Denver?
In-person sessions are held at our office at 5300 DTC Parkway, Suite 450, Greenwood Village — in the heart of the Denver Tech Center, easy access from I-25. We see couples from across the south Denver metro (Greenwood Village, DTC, Centennial, Cherry Creek, Englewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, Parker) as well as the broader metro. For couples outside the metro or with scheduling constraints, we offer the full program over secure video for anyone located in Colorado.
Who leads the Couples DBT Program at FRTC?
Our Couples DBT Program is overseen by Tanner Oliver, LCSW — General Manager at FRTC — who personally provides couples therapy alongside our broader clinical team. All couples clinicians are trained in DBT under the supervision of our DBT-Linehan Board Certified Program. You can meet the team here.
What is Couples DBT, and how is it different from traditional couples therapy?
Couples DBT is a structured, skills-based approach that goes beyond conversation. While traditional therapy explores past patterns, DBT focuses on teaching evidence-based tools for emotional regulation, mindfulness, validation, and conflict resolution. Sessions are goal-oriented and practical. It tends to be a better fit than Gottman or EFT-style therapy when one or both partners struggles with big emotions, reactivity, or mood instability.
Who is a good fit for Couples DBT?
It's ideal for Denver-area relationships marked by recurring conflict, emotional overwhelm, or communication breakdowns. It's especially helpful when one or both partners struggles with mood swings, anxiety, or strong emotions. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit. If one partner has a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder or significant trauma history, this approach is particularly well-suited.
Can we do couples therapy online in Colorado?
Yes. Our couples program runs identically over HIPAA-compliant video, which works well for couples who live in different cities, have young kids making in-person sessions hard, or simply prefer virtual. As long as both partners are physically located in Colorado during sessions, we can see you.
How long does the program take?
Most couples begin with weekly sessions over three to six months. As progress is made, sessions may shift to biweekly or monthly check-ins. There's no one-size-fits-all timeline — the focus is on long-term change, and we'd rather run shorter and graduate you well than string out appointments unnecessarily.
What if we've tried couples therapy before?
Many Denver couples come to FRTC after therapy that felt unstructured or ineffective. Couples DBT offers a different approach — each session is guided by a clear plan and skill-building focus. If past therapy lacked progress, this might be the structure you've been missing.
Do both partners need to participate equally?
It's normal for one person to feel more hesitant at first. What matters most is a shared willingness to show up and try. Our therapists navigate imbalances in motivation as part of the process. That said, if one partner refuses to come at all, couples therapy isn't the right modality — individual therapy can sometimes be a useful starting point.
Can we do Couples DBT alongside individual therapy?
Yes, and it's often encouraged. If one or both of you are dealing with personal challenges like anxiety, depression, or emotional dysregulation, individual therapy supports the work you're doing together. Our clinical team coordinates care internally so your individual and couples therapists aren't working at cross-purposes.

Related Articles

Communication Skills for Couples

Practical strategies for improving how you and your partner talk and listen.

Read Article →

DBT Skills for Relationships

How interpersonal effectiveness and validation skills strengthen partnerships.

Read Article →

The Levels of Validation in DBT

How validation skills strengthen relationships and reduce conflict.

Read Article →

Ready to Reconnect?

Whether you're facing a crisis or just want to communicate better, our Couples DBT program is designed to help you repair and move forward.

Call (720) 390-6932 Free Consultation