Couples Therapy Registration 

The Hope Couples Project provides counseling in partnership with the Psychological Services Center at Regent University.  We also provide community marriage education and conduct research investigating the Hope approach to couples intervention located at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA.  

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Are you open/ taking appointments?

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Yes, we are open from late August through early July each year and have openings for new couple counseling for pre-marital, couple counseling, and couple-checkup.

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Are meetings in-person or on-line?

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- the initial screening meeting (30-50 minutes) will be online in Zoom, then you will be assigned to your therapist

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- your first meeting with your therapist is typically in our offices, to meet, establish relationship, and get off to a good start.  If you live in Virginia, but far from our offices in Virginia Beach then we can do the first meeting by Zoom.

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- after that the therapist and you will decide together whether in-person meetings are best or online meetings.  In-person meetings are subject to policy changes if healthcare official directives change in our area.

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If you have any needs relevant to meeting in our offices, or access to videoconferencing from home, please contact us at hopecouples@hopecouples.com

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What is the Hope Focused approach?  

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The Hope Focused approach works to build hope for couples using positive interventions, a short-term strategic approach that is tailored to the relationship needs of the couple.  It is based on dozens of research studies and has been published in several books by Dr. Ripley and Dr. Worthington.

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Dr. Ripley answers questions about the Hope Focused Approach

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How much of a commitment are we talking about here? 

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The intervention is tailored to your needs so it varies. Generally, we ask that you commit to one standard workweek worth of work in your relationship- 40 hours.  Considering all the work you've put into your relationship, couples are usually willing to put in just one week's worth of work.  What that means is generally 8 to 15 weeks of counseling and about 3 hours a week focusing on your relationship with homework and positive time together like date nights or communicating positively together. 

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Our relationship is in trouble, will this work for us? 

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The Hope approach will work with a wide variety of couples problems.  It's not magic, but you both can choose to make effective decisions that will improve your relationship.  However, there are some situations or psychological problems for which we recommend individual treatment at the PSC either simultaneously or before beginning couples therapy.  Please bring up concerns about this in the screening meeting so we can serve you well.  And there is a 1-3 session trial period at the beginning of counseling where you and your counselor are trying to decide what would be the best treatment approach for your situation.

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Do you do pre-marital counseling or couples enrichment? 

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Yes, we do.  We encourage a prevention approach to relationship problems and will work with you to "fill up your toolbox" with skills and principles that will help you negotiate your ever-changing relationship.

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Where are the meetings? 

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Our offices are on the Regent University campus, at the Indian River Road exit of I-64.  We are a specialty clinic within the Psychological Services Center which is in the classroom building, Suite 188.  You can download a campus map HERE in pdf.  

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We also meet online for those who need or prefer online meetings.

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Appointments can be scheduled on weekdays and most weekday evenings.  

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What is the cost?  

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The initial screening meeting to discuss what you need in counseling is FREE, including numerous assessments for your relationship that will be included in a personalized report.  The cost of therapy sessions is normally $60 for intake and $40 per session.  A referral from a pastor/religious leader is 50% off.  Couples with financial need can discuss a sliding scale option at the first session.  The cost of care is supported by Regent University as community outreach, an endowment to the Charis Institute (our parent institution),  and part of our doctoral clinic.

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What is the process to register and begin? 

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1.  You and your partner/ spouse both fill out online questionnaires.  To do that please click the registration button located below.  You will also be asked about 20 minutes worth of questions about your relationship, what type of couples counseling you are looking for and tell us your availability.  This will help reduce time on paperwork in the intake meeting.  If you prefer to do the questionnaires by mail that is an option, email or call to request.

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2.  Then you will get the link to our online meeting room to meet with you both together for your initial screening (30-50 minutes, depending on need) where we will work out any technology issues, and ask about each of your general goals for treatment.  Note that we can't do the screening meeting without both partner's online questionnaires.  And if you need individual time with the screener due to something individual going on, just ask.

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3.  You will then be placed with your therapist, matched to your needs and availability.  Your therapist will email you directions to our clinic or the link to their personal Zoomroom for future meetings.

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If you have further questions and would like to speak with staff first, you can email us at hopecouples@hopecouples.com  or call the Psychological Services Clinic at 757-352-4488

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