About couples therapists
Couples therapists help partners with communication problems, frequent arguments, infidelity, crises or decisions about the future of the relationship. Sessions are usually joint, sometimes combined with individual ones.
Getting mental health care in Sint Maarten
Public health system · Mental Health Foundation (MHF), funded mainly through SZV Social and Health Insurances
The Mental Health Foundation provides outpatient clinic care, day treatment, guided living, crisis intervention and an admission ward, with psychiatrists and psychologists on staff. It relies mainly on SZV and other insurers for funding since government subsidy ended in 2015. SZV also contracts private-practice psychologists, so SZV-insured patients can be covered for assessment and therapy.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA); Dutch BIG register as reference. Sint Maarten has no national register of its own yet; a draft National Ordinance on a Healthcare Professionals Registry was completed in 2026 but is not in force. Doctors have generally been required to be BIG-registered, and you can check Dutch BIG registration of psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists online. Search the official register
Insurance and coverage
SZV has care contracts with private psychologists and with the Mental Health Foundation, so SZV-insured people can be covered for psychological assessment and therapy.
Urgent help in Sint Maarten
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 912 · Ambulance
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: thedailyherald.sx, thedailyherald.sx, sintmaartengov.org, thedailyherald.sx
What does a couples therapist do?
A couples therapist helps two people understand and improve their relationship. Day to day they work with couples on communication, recurring arguments, trust after infidelity, intimacy, life transitions such as parenthood or retirement, and decisions about continuing or separating. They stay neutral, make room for both perspectives, and teach practical skills to talk, listen and repair after conflict.
When to see a couples therapist
Couples therapy makes sense when arguments repeat without resolution, you feel distant or misunderstood, trust has been damaged, sexual or emotional intimacy has changed, or you face a big decision together. It also helps couples who want to separate respectfully. If there is violence, control or fear in the relationship, couples therapy is not appropriate; individual support and safety come first.
How is it different from other professionals?
A couples therapist focuses on the relationship between partners, while a family therapist includes children or other relatives. A sex therapist concentrates on sexual concerns, which may or may not be part of couples work. Individual therapy addresses one person’s difficulties. Well-supported approaches in couples work include emotionally focused therapy, integrative behavioural couple therapy and other structured methods.
What happens in the first session
In the first session the therapist usually listens to how each partner sees the relationship, what brought you now and what you each hope for. Many therapists also hold one individual session with each partner. Ask about their approach, how they handle secrets shared individually, and how they work if one of you is unsure about continuing the relationship.
How long does the process take?
Couples sessions often last around 60 to 90 minutes and are usually weekly or fortnightly. Some couples see changes in a relatively short process, while others need more time, especially after a breach of trust or long-standing conflict. Duration depends on the goals, the approach, whether both partners are committed, and how much they practise new skills at home.
Online or in person?
Online couples therapy is a practical option when schedules are hard to match, you live in different places, or there are few specialists nearby. Partners can connect from the same room or separately. In-person sessions may be better when emotions escalate quickly, when one partner feels less comfortable with screens, or when home offers no privacy from children or others.
How to check their qualifications
Couples therapist is often not a protected title. Check the professional’s base qualification, such as psychology, medicine or social work, and registration in that profession. Ask about specific training in couples therapy, the models they use, supervised experience and membership of recognised associations. A good couples therapist explains their approach clearly and will tell you if another type of support fits better.
What affects the price?
Couples sessions are often longer and priced differently from individual therapy. Fees vary with the therapist’s training and experience, session length, the city and modality. Some professionals offer packages, intensive formats over one or two days, or a free introductory call. Ask about cancellation policy and how individual sessions within the process are charged.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Sint Maarten cover psychological care?
The Mental Health Foundation provides outpatient clinic care, day treatment, guided living, crisis intervention and an admission ward, with psychiatrists and psychologists on staff. It relies mainly on SZV and other insurers for funding since government subsidy ended in 2015. SZV also contracts private-practice psychologists, so SZV-insured patients can be covered for assessment and therapy.
How do I check that a couples therapist is licensed in Sint Maarten?
Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA); Dutch BIG register as reference: Sint Maarten has no national register of its own yet; a draft National Ordinance on a Healthcare Professionals Registry was completed in 2026 but is not in force. Doctors have generally been required to be BIG-registered, and you can check Dutch BIG registration of psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists online.