Marriage Counseling in Greenville, SC

Marriage counseling session in Greenville SC with John Kilgo LPC"

Most couples don’t come to counseling because something dramatic happened. They come because something gradual did — a slow drift toward different schedules, conversations that always seem to end the same way, a feeling that the person sitting across from you at dinner has somehow become a stranger.
If you’ve found your way here, you probably already know that something needs to change. The harder question is whether you’re going to face it together, or keep hoping it works itself out.

About Olive Tree Counseling

​At Olive Tree Counseling & Consultation, marriage and couples work is at the heart of what I do. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Greenville, SC, I’ve spent years helping couples navigate the moments when the marriage they thought they had no longer feels like the marriage they’re living in. Some of my work happens with engaged couples building a strong foundation; some happens with couples in their twentieth year trying to find each other again; some happens with couples picking up the pieces after an affair. The common thread is that I believe meaningful change is possible — and that almost every couple has more capacity for it than they realize when they walk in.

Who I work with

Couples who feel disconnected but aren’t in crisis. Sometimes the issue isn’t a crisis — it’s an erosion. The conversations have gotten shorter. The intimacy has gotten thinner. Date nights stopped happening, and neither of you are quite sure why. This is some of my favorite work, because the foundation is still there. We just need to clear away what’s grown over it.
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Couples rebuilding after infidelity or broken trust. Affairs — emotional or physical — are some of the most painful experiences a marriage can face. They’re also survivable. Many of the couples I’ve worked with through infidelity recovery have come out the other side with marriages that are stronger, more honest, and more connected than they were before the affair. The path through is real, but it isn’t quick, and it requires both partners to do their own work.
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Couples in long-term distress. Sometimes a couple has been stuck in the same patterns for years — the same fights, the same silences, the same feelings of being misunderstood. By the time they reach out, they’re often exhausted and quietly wondering whether the marriage is salvageable. My answer is almost always: yes, it usually is — but not by trying harder at what hasn’t been working. We need a different approach.

My approach

I draw primarily from three evidence-based methods for couples work, and I move between them based on what each couple needs at each point in our work together.

​Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, helps couples understand the deeper emotional cycles underneath their surface conflicts. Most fights aren’t really about what they seem to be about. EFT gives us a way to slow down and see what’s actually happening — usually attachment fears and unmet needs that have been there all along.

​Internal Family Systems (IFS) is useful for the moments when one partner says something that triggers a much bigger reaction in the other than the situation seems to call for. IFS gives us a way to understand the parts of ourselves that show up in those moments — protective parts, wounded parts — and help our partners meet us there with more compassion.
I won’t push a method that isn’t fitting. I’ll meet you where you are.

​The Gottman Method, based on decades of research by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, gives us a roadmap for understanding what makes marriages work and what predicts decline. We’ll look at how you and your partner talk to each other, what bids for connection are getting missed, and where small shifts can produce big differences in how you feel about each other.

Faith, when you want it

Faith matters deeply to many of the couples I work with, and I’m trained to integrate it naturally when that’s part of your story. I have a B.A. in Religion from Wofford College and have co-led marriage ministry at my church alongside my wife, Maury. If your faith is central to your marriage, we can incorporate it into the work — looking at scripture, prayer, and how you understand your covenant together.
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If faith isn’t part of how you and your partner approach your marriage, that’s completely fine too. The therapeutic work is the same, and it’s just as effective without a faith framework. Many of the couples I see don’t share my faith background, and we do meaningful work together. I’ll always follow your lead.

What sessions look like

Couples sessions are 50 minutes long and typically run weekly to start. Most couples I see meet weekly for the first few months, then move to every other week as we build momentum. Some couples are in and out in 8–12 sessions; others — especially those navigating betrayal or longer-standing patterns — may work with me over a longer arc.

I offer in-person sessions at my Greenville office at 156 Milestone Way, and HIPAA-compliant virtual sessions for couples anywhere in South Carolina. Many of the couples I work with mix the two — coming in person when schedules allow, switching to virtual when life gets busy.

Fees and insurance

​Couples sessions are $175 per clinical hour. I’m in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna (Evernorth), UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. For other insurance, I provide a superbill you can submit for potential reimbursement.
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I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so we can talk about what’s bringing you in, whether I’m the right fit, and what working together might look like. There’s no pressure on the call, and many couples find it helpful just to ask questions before deciding.

Ready to talk?

If something on this page resonated — even just a little — that’s worth paying attention to. Reaching out is often the hardest step. Once you’ve taken it, the rest of the work tends to feel more possible than you might expect.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Or call (864) 881-2329.

Marriage Counseling FAQ

All kinds. Some couples I work with are in a genuine crisis — recovering from infidelity, considering separation, or coming in after years of accumulated damage. Others are not in crisis at all; they just feel a drift — conversations that have gotten shorter, intimacy that has thinned, a sense that they’re living alongside each other rather than together. Some are engaged couples building a strong foundation before marriage. The common thread isn’t the severity of the problem. It’s two people who are willing to do the work

I draw from three evidence-based methods and move between them based on what each couple needs. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps us see the deeper emotional cycles underneath the surface conflicts — most fights aren’t really about what they seem to be about, and EFT gives us a way to slow down and understand what’s actually happening. The Gottman Method draws on decades of research about what makes marriages work and what predicts decline; we’ll look at how you talk to each other, what bids for connection are getting missed, and where small shifts can make a real difference. Internal Family Systems (IFS) is useful for the moments when one partner says something that triggers a much larger reaction in the other than the situation seems to call for — helping both partners understand and meet each other’s deeper needs with more compassion.

Not at all — and some of my favorite work happens with couples who aren’t in crisis. If the foundation is still there but something has grown over it, counseling can help you clear that away before it becomes something harder to address. Many couples come in proactively, wanting to communicate better, navigate a major life transition together, or simply invest in their relationship. Earlier is almost always easier than later.

Yes. Affairs — emotional or physical — are among the most painful things a marriage can face. They’re also survivable. Many couples I’ve worked with through infidelity recovery have come out with marriages that are more honest, more connected, and stronger than they were before the affair. That’s not guaranteed, and the path is real work. But it’s possible, and I’ve seen it happen. What it requires is both partners being willing to do their own part — not just the partner who had the affair.

The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. We’ll talk about your relationship history, what’s been challenging lately, and what you’re both hoping to get out of the process. Both partners will have space to share their perspective — I’m not there to take sides, and I’ll work to make sure both of you feel heard. Many couples feel a quiet sense of relief after the first session simply from having had a structured, safe conversation. If it turns out I’m not the right fit for you, I’ll say so and help you think through alternatives.

In most cases, yes — couples therapy is most effective when both partners are present. Occasionally I’ll schedule an individual session with one partner as part of the process, particularly if there’s something that needs space outside the joint dynamic. We’ll talk about the structure that makes the most sense for your situation. The goal is always to serve both of you and the relationship as a whole.

This is very common, and it doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Reluctance about counseling often comes from a fear of being blamed or judged — which is worth addressing directly. It can help to frame counseling as something you’re doing as a team, not something being done to one person. Sometimes one partner starting individual counseling first opens the door. You’re also welcome to call me to talk through how best to approach that conversation with your spouse — I’m happy to help you think through it.

It varies considerably depending on what you’re working through. Some couples see significant progress in 8 to 12 sessions. Couples navigating infidelity, long-term distress, or deeply ingrained patterns tend to need a longer arc — often several months of weekly sessions before moving to less frequent check-ins. Most couples I work with meet weekly at first, then shift to every other week as we build momentum. We’ll always be transparent about where we are and what we’d recommend next.


Couples sessions are $175 per clinical hour. I’m in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna (Evernorth), UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. For other insurance plans, I provide a superbill you can submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage for couples therapy varies significantly by plan — I’d recommend calling your insurance provider directly to ask whether marriage counseling is included in your mental health benefits. And as always, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can ask questions and get a sense of the fit before committing to anything.

When it’s meaningful to you, yes. Faith matters deeply to many of the couples I work with, and I’m trained to integrate it naturally when that’s part of your story. I have a B.A. in Religion from Wofford College and have co-led marriage ministry at my church alongside my wife. If your faith is central to your marriage, we can incorporate it into the work — including how you understand your covenant and what it means to repair and recommit within that framework. If faith isn’t part of your marriage, the work is just as effective without it. I’ll follow your lead.


What kinds of couples do you work with?

All kinds. Some couples I work with are in a genuine crisis — recovering from infidelity, considering separation, or coming in after years of accumulated damage. Others are not in crisis at all; they just feel a drift — conversations that have gotten shorter, intimacy that has thinned, a sense that they’re living alongside each other rather than together. Some are engaged couples building a strong foundation before marriage. The common thread isn’t the severity of the problem. It’s two people who are willing to do the work.


What therapy approaches do you use for marriage counseling?


I draw from three evidence-based methods and move between them based on what each couple needs. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps us see the deeper emotional cycles underneath the surface conflicts — most fights aren’t really about what they seem to be about, and EFT gives us a way to slow down and understand what’s actually happening. The Gottman Method draws on decades of research about what makes marriages work and what predicts decline; we’ll look at how you talk to each other, what bids for connection are getting missed, and where small shifts can make a real difference. Internal Family Systems (IFS) is useful for the moments when one partner says something that triggers a much larger reaction in the other than the situation seems to call for — helping both partners understand and meet each other’s deeper needs with more compassion.


Is marriage counseling only for couples in crisis?

Not at all — and some of my favorite work happens with couples who aren’t in crisis. If the foundation is still there but something has grown over it, counseling can help you clear that away before it becomes something harder to address. Many couples come in proactively, wanting to communicate better, navigate a major life transition together, or simply invest in their relationship. Earlier is almost always easier than later.

Can marriage counseling help after infidelity?


Yes. Affairs — emotional or physical — are among the most painful things a marriage can face. They’re also survivable. Many couples I’ve worked with through infidelity recovery have come out with marriages that are more honest, more connected, and stronger than they were before the affair. That’s not guaranteed, and the path is real work. But it’s possible, and I’ve seen it happen. What it requires is both partners being willing to do their own part — not just the partner who had the affair.


What can we expect in the first marriage counseling session?


The first session is mostly about getting to know each other. We’ll talk about your relationship history, what’s been challenging lately, and what you’re both hoping to get out of the process. Both partners will have space to share their perspective — I’m not there to take sides, and I’ll work to make sure both of you feel heard. Many couples feel a quiet sense of relief after the first session simply from having had a structured, safe conversation. If it turns out I’m not the right fit for you, I’ll say so and help you think through alternatives.


Do both partners need to come to every session?


In most cases, yes — couples therapy is most effective when both partners are present. Occasionally I’ll schedule an individual session with one partner as part of the process, particularly if there’s something that needs space outside the joint dynamic. We’ll talk about the structure that makes the most sense for your situation. The goal is always to serve both of you and the relationship as a whole.

What if my spouse doesn’t want to come to counseling?


This is very common, and it doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Reluctance about counseling often comes from a fear of being blamed or judged — which is worth addressing directly. It can help to frame counseling as something you’re doing as a team, not something being done to one person. Sometimes one partner starting individual counseling first opens the door. You’re also welcome to call me to talk through how best to approach that conversation with your spouse — I’m happy to help you think through it.


How long does marriage counseling take?

It varies considerably depending on what you’re working through. Some couples see significant progress in 8 to 12 sessions. Couples navigating infidelity, long-term distress, or deeply ingrained patterns tend to need a longer arc — often several months of weekly sessions before moving to less frequent check-ins. Most couples I work with meet weekly at first, then shift to every other week as we build momentum. We’ll always be transparent about where we are and what we’d recommend next.

What does marriage counseling cost, and do you take insurance?

Couples sessions are $175 per clinical hour. I’m in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna (Evernorth), UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. For other insurance plans, I provide a superbill you can submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage for couples therapy varies significantly by plan — I’d recommend calling your insurance provider directly to ask whether marriage counseling is included in your mental health benefits. And as always, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can ask questions and get a sense of the fit before committing to anything.


Do you integrate faith into marriage counseling?

When it’s meaningful to you, yes. Faith matters deeply to many of the couples I work with, and I’m trained to integrate it naturally when that’s part of your story. I have a B.A. in Religion from Wofford College and have co-led marriage ministry at my church alongside my wife. If your faith is central to your marriage, we can incorporate it into the work — including how you understand your covenant and what it means to repair and recommit within that framework. If faith isn’t part of your marriage, the work is just as effective without it. I’ll follow your lead.