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Couples Therapy (2019 TV series)

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Not to be confused with Couples Therapy (2012 TV series).
Couples Therapy
ComposerJason Hill
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes36 + 1 special
Production
Executive producers
  • Eli Despres
  • Elyse Steinberg
  • Josh Kriegman
Producers
  • Carly Hugo
  • Matt Parker
  • Maya Seider
Production companyEdgeline Films
Original release
NetworkShowtime
ReleaseSeptember 6, 2019 (2019-09-06) –
present

Couples Therapy is an American television series on the Showtime network.[1][2] The series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on April 18, 2021.[3] An extended third season premiered on May 13, 2022.[4][5] It was shown on BBC Two in the UK and is available to watch for free in the UK on the BBC's iPlayer service. The show filmed new couples for the second half of season three which finished filming towards the end of 2022 and premiered on April 28, 2023. The entire back half of the season was put up for streaming and on-demand viewing on this date; linear airings were two episodes per week.[6][7]

Overview

Couples Therapy shows parts of the therapy sessions of three to four couples per season. The producers and therapist of the series wanted to show what a therapeutic process actually looks like. They didn't want to show drama to the audiences, but the deep work that real therapy entails.[8]

Orna Guralnik, the couples' therapist, meets her patients for the first time when they enter her practice. Her practice features many cameras hidden behind a one-way mirror that surrounds the room. The couples participate in a 20-week therapy program.[9] The one-hour-sessions[10] are recorded, cut for television and edited into nine episodes. The television series is filmed in New York.[9]

There are some rules about the therapy sessions. The couples are not allowed to have any more in-depth discussions about their children, because the children cannot give their consent to the therapy treatment and their life being discussed on television.[9] The couples have no contact with the crew members. They only meet the couples' therapist, Guralnik.[11] Guralnik has a counselor, Virginia Goldner, with whom she discusses the therapy process.[12] In the Covid Special she has another counselor, Kirkland Vaughans.[13]

In June 2021, it was announced that there would be a third season of Couples Therapy.[14] It started on May 13, 2022.[15]

Idea and realization

Director Josh Kriegman came up with the idea for the series. His parents are both psychotherapists. From an early age he had heard a lot about this work. He was fascinated by the therapy processes and what can be achieved by it. He hoped that he would be able to show the therapy process on television. He thought a long time about how this would work in an authentic way.[16]

Along with the directors Eli B. Despres and Elyse Steinberg, Kriegman planned a reality TV series for Showtime.

At first they wanted to find the right therapist. So the production team interviewed a few therapists in New York. They contacted Guralnik through her Psychoanalytic Institute. At first Guralnik only wanted to be the counselor for the therapist, but after a few discussions with the directors, she decided to be the therapist and not the counselor. It was important to her that the TV series is very close to real therapy instead of relying on dramatization.[17]

The couples of the series were chosen from thousands in a selection process.[9] The selection processes for each couple took about four months in total.[18] When selecting the couples, it was important to the producers that they had emotional intelligence. They also wanted to find couples who didn't just want to be on TV, but had real problems. The viewers should also be able to identify themselves with the couples.[16] A variety of couples should be shown, who differ in age, sexual orientation, gender identity or ethnicity. The couples should be open to exploring their relationship.[19] Not all couples were shown in the series. For example, they filmed six couples for the first season and only four couples were shown on television.[20]

The therapy room was designed very similar to Guralnik's own office. The books, the distance between the therapy chair and the couch for the couples were all taken from Guralnik's own office. The cameras were hidden behind one-way mirrors and were placed all around the room so that they could record every corner of the room.[21]

Cast

The therapist
The counselors
  • Virginia Goldner is the counselor of Guralnik. Guralnik talks to her about the therapy processes, her own feelings and counter-transferences. Goldner is a psychoanalyst. As such, she does individual, couples and family therapy. She is also a professor at New York University's postdoctoral program in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.[23]
  • Kirkland Vaughans is the counselor of Guralnik in the Covid Special. Guralnik contacted him after the murder of George Floyd. Guralnik's patients were dealing with their own experiences of racism after hearing of the murder.[13] Vaughans is Professor of Psychology at Adelphi University in New York, Director of the Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, and Clinical Supervisor at the National Institute for Psychotherapies.[24]
Peer Advisory Group
The Couples
  • Season 1
    • Annie & Mau
    • Lauren & Sarah
    • Evelyn & Alan
    • Elaine & DeSean
  • Covid Special
    • Lauren & Sarah – from Season 1
    • Elaine & DeSean – from Season 1
    • Lara & Trey
    • Michelle & James
  • Season 2
    • Michael & Michal
    • Tashira & Dru
    • Matthew & Gianni
  • Season 3a
    • Ping & Wil
    • Molly & Josh
    • India & Dale
    • Cyn & Yaya
  • Season 3b
    • Brock & Kristi
    • Josh & Natasha
    • Nadine & Christine
    • Sean & Erica

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
19September 6, 2019 (2019-09-06)November 1, 2019 (2019-11-01)
Special1December 13, 2020
29April 18, 2021 (2021-04-18)May 16, 2021 (2021-05-16)
3189May 13, 2022 (2022-05-13)June 10, 2022 (2022-06-10)
9April 28, 2023 (2023-04-28)May 26, 2023 (2023-05-26)

Season 1 (2019)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byOriginal air date
11"Episode 1"Eli B. Despres, Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)
22"Episode 2"Eli B. Despres, Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)
33"Episode 3"Eli B. Despres, Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)
44"Episode 4"Eli B. Despres, Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)
55"Episode 5"Eli B. Despres, Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)
66"Episode 6"Eli B. Despres, Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)
77"Episode 7"Eli B. Despres, Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)
88"Episode 8"Eli B. Despres, Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)
99"Episode 9"Eli B. Despres, Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg, Kim Roberts6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)

The COVID Special (2020)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byOriginal air date
101"The COVID Special"Kim Roberts13 December 2020 (2020-12-13)

Season 2 (2021)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byOriginal air date
111"Episode 1"Josh Kriegman, Kim Roberts18 April 2021 (2021-04-18)
122"Episode 2"Josh Kriegman, Kim Roberts18 April 2021 (2021-04-18)
133"Episode 3"Josh Kriegman, Kim Roberts25 April 2021 (2021-04-25)
144"Episode 4"Josh Kriegman, Kim Roberts25 April 2021 (2021-04-25)
155"Episode 5"Josh Kriegman, Kim Roberts2 May 2021 (2021-05-02)
166"Episode 6"Josh Kriegman, Kim Roberts2 May 2021 (2021-05-02)
177"Episode 7"Josh Kriegman, Kim Roberts9 May 2021 (2021-05-09)
188"Episode 8"Josh Kriegman, Kim Roberts9 May 2021 (2021-05-09)
199"Episode 9"Josh Kriegman, Kim Roberts16 May 2021 (2021-05-16)

Season 3 (2022–23)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byOriginal air date
201"Episode 1"Maya Seidler, Pax Wassermann13 May 2022 (2022-05-13)
212"Episode 2"Maya Seidler, Pax Wassermann13 May 2022 (2022-05-13)
223"Episode 3"Maya Seidler, Pax Wassermann20 May 2022 (2022-05-20)
234"Episode 4"Maya Seidler, Pax Wassermann20 May 2022 (2022-05-20)
245"Episode 5"Maya Seidler, Pax Wassermann27 May 2022 (2022-05-27)
256"Episode 6"Maya Seidler, Pax Wassermann27 May 2022 (2022-05-27)
267"Episode 7"Maya Seidler, Pax Wassermann3 June 2022 (2022-06-03)
278"Episode 8"Maya Seidler, Pax Wassermann3 June 2022 (2022-06-03)
289"Episode 9"Maya Seidler, Pax Wassermann10 June 2022 (2022-06-10)
2910"Episode 10"Joshua Altman, Bennett Elliott28 April 2023 (2023-04-28)
3011"Episode 11"Joshua Altman, Bennett Elliott28 April 2023 (2023-04-28)
3112"Episode 12"Joshua Altman, Bennett Elliott5 May 2023 (2023-05-05)
3213"Episode 13"Joshua Altman, Bennett Elliott5 May 2023 (2023-05-05)
3314"Episode 14"Joshua Altman, Bennett Elliott12 May 2023 (2023-05-12)
3415"Episode 15"Joshua Altman, Bennett Elliott12 May 2023 (2023-05-12)
3516"Episode 16"Joshua Altman, Bennett Elliott19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
3617"Episode 17"Joshua Altman, Bennett Elliott19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
3718"Episode 18"Joshua Altman, Bennett Elliott26 May 2023 (2023-05-26)

Awards

TCA Awards

  • 2021: TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming[25]

International versions

On July 26, 2022, the Australian streaming portal Paramount+ began airing a series of the same name. The psychotherapist is Marryam Chehelnabi. Her therapeutic work is based on the therapy methods of John Gottman. Chehelnabi's supervisor is Lea Crisante.[26] The second season of the series is scheduled to air in November 2022.[27][28]

A New Zealand edition of the show premiered in 2023.[29]

See also

References

  1. ^ VanArendonk, Kathryn (September 26, 2019). "How Couples Therapy Put Therapy on TV (Without Ruining the Therapy)". Vulture. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  2. ^ Lyons, Margaret (September 5, 2019). "On 'Couples Therapy,' Domestic Angst Is Raw and Delicious". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  3. ^ Pedersen, Erik (October 7, 2019). "'Couples Therapy' Renewed For Season 2 On Showtime". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  4. ^ Del Rosario, Alexndra (June 23, 2021). "'Couples Therapy' Renewed For Extended Season 3 By Showtime". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  5. ^ Theodore-Vachon, Rebecca (April 20, 2022). "Trailer Roundup: Apple TV+'s Prehistoric Planet, Showtime's Couples Therapy Season 3". Lost Remote. Archived from the original on May 10, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  6. ^ "The Therapist Remaking Our Love Lives on TV". The New Yorker. 2022-05-13. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  7. ^ Couples Therapy: The Tools You Need with Dr. Orna Guralnik, 2022-11-15, retrieved 2023-02-26
  8. ^ Emma Clifton (December 1, 2021). "Want to watch someone else's couple's therapy? Meet the therapist that lets you do exactly that". Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e Gili Izikovich (June 12, 2021). "'People Said It Would Destroy My Career': Interview With 'Couples Therapy' Star Dr. Orna Guralnik". Haaretz. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  10. ^ Maggie Mead (May 2, 2021). "Couples Therapy: Dr. Orna Discusses Season 2 & More In Exclusive Interview". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  11. ^ "'Couples Have To Go Through A Lot Of Conflict': Therapist Orna Guralnik & Filmmaker Josh Kriegman On Showtime's Docuseries 'Couples Therapy'". May 9, 2019. Archived from the original on February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  12. ^ Tara Ariano (September 5, 2019). "Showtime's Couples Therapy May Be the Best Show You're Not Watching". Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Hank Stuever (December 11, 2020). "Showtime's addictive 'Couples Therapy' returns to briefly discuss the mutual miseries of 2020". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  14. ^ Alexandra Del Rosario (June 23, 2021). "'Couples Therapy' Renewed For Extended Season 3 By Showtime". Haaretz. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  15. ^ Joel Keller (May 13, 2022). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Couples Therapy' Season 3 On Showtime, Where Orna Guralnik Helps 4 More Couples Get To The Bottom Of Their Issues". Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Jordan Walker (June 25, 2021). "Interview: 'Couples Therapy' Directors Kim Roberts and Josh Kriegman". Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  17. ^ Daryn Carp (April 15, 2021). "Dr. Orna Guralnik Shows the Side of Relationships That Are Often Overlooked in 'Couples Therapy'". MSN. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  18. ^ Sarah Bahr (April 16, 2021). "Feeling a Bit Cramped? 'Couples Therapy' May Look Familiar". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  19. ^ Adrian Horton (September 3, 2019). "Couples Therapy: why would anyone agree to televise their therapy sessions?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  20. ^ Nina Collins (April 30, 2020). "Boundaries During COVID: Nina Collins Interviews Orna Guralnik". YouTube. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  21. ^ Andrew Zucker (October 17, 2019). "Dr. Orna Guralnik Discusses Her New Showtime Docuseries, 'Couples Therapy'". Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  22. ^ Libby Hill (June 6, 2021). "'Couples Therapy' Sage Dr. Orna Guralnik Knows You're Looking at Her Bookshelves". Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  23. ^ Natalia Romanova (April 12, 2021). "Virginia Goldner". Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  24. ^ "Kirkland Vaughans, Ph.D. (Dix Hills, NY)". Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  25. ^ Andy Dehnart (September 15, 2021). "A tie! Deaf U and Couples Therapy both won TCA Awards. Here are all the winners". Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  26. ^ Bridget McManus (2022-07-22). "What Couples Therapy Australia can teach us about our relationships". Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  27. ^ "Couples Therapy Australia returns with season two on Paramount+". 2022-10-24. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  28. ^ Kevin Perry (2022-10-24). "FIRST LOOK. Marryam Chehelnabi returns with brand new season of COUPLES THERAPY AUSTRALIA". Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  29. ^ "Psychotherapist with 30 years' experience helms Three's new Couples Therapy". NZ Herald. 18 July 2023.
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