Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling in Mt. Lebanon, PA
I’m Michael Ortenzo, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and I help couples break repeating conflict cycles, rebuild trust and talk about hard things without the conversation falling apart. Sessions are 55 minutes, in person at my Mt. Lebanon office or by secure telehealth anywhere in Pennsylvania.
When couples reach out
Most couples I see have tried to solve the same problem several times on their own. You might recognize some of this:
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The same argument keeps coming back, no matter how it starts.
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One of you pursues and the other shuts down.
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You feel more like roommates than partners.
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Trust has been damaged and you don’t know how to repair it.
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A big transition (a wedding, a new baby, an empty nest, retirement) is straining the relationship.
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You’re not sure whether to stay together and want a structured place to decide.
You don’t need to be in crisis to start. Many couples come to strengthen a relationship that is basically good.
How couples therapy works with me
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Free 15-minute phone call. We talk briefly about what’s going on and whether I’m a good fit.
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First session. I learn your history as a couple, what each of you wants to change and what has helped before.
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Regular sessions. Usually weekly at first. Each 55-minute session includes a check-in, focused work on one or two priorities, and a practical next step to try at home.
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Adjusting as you go. As things improve, we space sessions out and plan how you’ll know therapy is complete.
Between sessions I may suggest a communication exercise, a specific conversation to try differently, or a short reflection. Change happens in daily life, not only in the room.
The methods I use
I choose the approach for the couple, not the other way around.
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Gottman Method tools: building friendship, managing conflict, repairing after arguments and creating shared meaning.
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Attachment-informed work: understanding how each partner’s need for closeness and safety shows up as protest, withdrawal or repair.
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Bowen family-systems work: seeing how patterns from each partner’s family of origin show up in conflict and decisions.
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Solution-focused planning: setting concrete goals and building on what already works.
Who I work with
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Dating and long-term couples
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Married couples
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Engaged couples preparing for marriage
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Couples in retirement or facing an empty nest
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LGBTQ+ couples
I work with couples where both partners are 18 or older.
Premarital counseling
Premarital counseling gives you a structured place to talk through the topics that cause conflict later: expectations, family patterns, values, money, conflict style and life goals. It typically runs 4–6 sessions. Couples often find it easiest to start a few months before the wedding.
Fees and insurance
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$170 per 55-minute couples session. Payment is due at the time of service by debit or credit card, FSA or HSA.
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In network with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Coverage for couples sessions depends on your plan; I can help you check before we start.
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Out of network? I can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurer for possible reimbursement.
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Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice may incur a fee.
In person in Mt. Lebanon, or online across Pennsylvania
My office is at 733 Washington Road, Suite 402, Pittsburgh, PA 15228, in Mt. Lebanon. Couples come from Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, Dormont, Scott Township, Castle Shannon, Peters Township and across the South Hills. Telehealth sessions are available anywhere in Pennsylvania when clinically appropriate, including for couples who live or work in different places.
About me
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Pennsylvania (license MF001422) with a master’s degree in couple and family therapy from Drexel University. I’ve worked in mental health since 2018, across community, in-home and outpatient settings. Learn more on The Magnus Approach page.
Couples therapy questions
How much does couples therapy cost?
Couples sessions are $170 for 55 minutes. I’m in network with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and I can provide a superbill if you have out-of-network benefits with another plan.
Does insurance cover couples therapy?
It depends on your plan. I’m in network with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. For other plans, I can provide a superbill you can submit for possible reimbursement. Check with your plan administrator before your first session.
Do both partners have to come to every session?
Most sessions are joint, and occasionally I may meet with each partner individually as part of the work.
How long does couples therapy take?
There’s no fixed length. We start weekly, set clear goals together, and space sessions out as things improve. Some couples come for a focused issue over a few months; others work on longer-standing patterns.
Can we do couples therapy online?
Yes. Telehealth sessions are available anywhere in Pennsylvania when clinically appropriate. Find a quiet, private space where you can both be on camera.
What if my partner isn’t sure about therapy?
That’s common. The free 15-minute call is a low-pressure way for both of you to ask questions and decide whether it feels like a good fit.
Is what we say kept confidential?
Yes, with legal exceptions related to safety, which I review with you at the first session.
Ready to start?
Book a free 15-minute call below, or call 724-485-9838. We’ll talk about what’s going on and whether couples therapy with me is the right next step.