Couples Therapy (2019 TV series) explained

Composer:Jason Hill
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:4
Num Episodes:45 + 1 special
Executive Producer:
  • Eli Despres
  • Elyse Steinberg
  • Josh Kriegman
Producer:
  • Carly Hugo
  • Matt Parker
  • Maya Seider
Company:Edgeline Films
Network:Showtime
Last Aired: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 through Showtime on this date; linear airings were two episodes per week.[6] The fourth season premiered on May 31, 2024 in full on the Paramount+ streaming service's Paramount+ with Showtime tier as well as on Video On Demand on cable, satellite, and streaming services for subscribers to the Paramount+ with Showtime linear channel. Additionally, the show aired on the linear channel from June 2 to June 30 with 2 episodes per week.[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. It started on May 13, 2022.[14]

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.[15]

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.[16]

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.[17] 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.[15] 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.[18] 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.[19]

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 concealed behind one-way mirrors set at 45º so that they would not be visible to the other cameras, instead reflecting a printed mirrored image.[20] [21]

Cast

The therapist
The counselors
Peer Advisory Group
The Couples

Series overview

Season 4 (2024)

Awards

TCA Awards

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 Julie Gottman and 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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: How Couples Therapy Put Therapy on TV (Without Ruining the Therapy). VanArendonk. Kathryn. September 26, 2019. Vulture. December 27, 2019. December 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191227062434/https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/couples-therapy-showtime-cast.html. live.
  2. News: On 'Couples Therapy,' Domestic Angst Is Raw and Delicious. Lyons. Margaret. September 5, 2019. The New York Times. December 27, 2019. 0362-4331. December 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191227062434/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/05/arts/television/couples-therapy-showtime-review.html. live.
  3. Web site: 'Couples Therapy' Renewed For Season 2 On Showtime. Pedersen. Erik. October 7, 2019. Deadline Hollywood. December 27, 2019. December 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205053411/https://deadline.com/2019/10/couples-therapy-renewed-season-2-showtime-1202754382/. live.
  4. Web site: Del Rosario . Alexandra . June 23, 2021 . 'Couples Therapy' Renewed For Extended Season 3 By Showtime . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210623190226/https://deadline.com/2021/06/couples-therapy-renewed-season-3-showtime-1234780247/ . June 23, 2021 . December 15, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood.
  5. Web site: Theodore-Vachon. Rebecca. Trailer Roundup: Apple TV+'s Prehistoric Planet, Showtime's Couples Therapy Season 3. Lost Remote. April 20, 2022. May 10, 2022. May 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220510162634/https://www.adweek.com/lostremote/trailer-roundup-apple-tv-prehistoric-planet-showtime-couples-therapy/60356. live.
  6. 2022-05-13 . The Therapist Remaking Our Love Lives on TV . 2023-02-26 . The New Yorker . en-US.
  7. Web site: Davis . Clayton . 2024-04-30 . ‘Couples Therapy’ Announces Season 4 Date in Emmy Eligibility Window, Debuts New Trailer With First Polyamorous Couple (EXCLUSIVE) . 2024-05-31 . Variety . en-US.
  8. Web site: Clifton . Emma . December 1, 2021 . Want to watch someone else's couple's therapy? Meet the therapist that lets you do exactly that. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220209122217/https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/life/300466728/want-to-watch-someone-elses-couples-therapy-meet-the-therapist-that-lets-you-do-exactly-that . February 9, 2022 . February 9, 2022.
  9. News: Izikovich . Gili . June 12, 2021 . 'People Said It Would Destroy My Career': Interview With 'Couples Therapy' Star Dr. Orna Guralnik. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220209121020/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium.MAGAZINE-people-said-it-would-ruin-my-career-says-couples-therapy-star-dr-guralnik-1.9897493 . February 9, 2022 . February 9, 2022 . Haaretz.
  10. Web site: Mead . Maggie . May 2, 2021 . Couples Therapy: Dr. Orna Discusses Season 2 & More In Exclusive Interview. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220209123320/https://screenrant.com/couples-therapy-dr-orna-season-2-interview-covid/ . February 9, 2022 . February 9, 2022 . Screen Rant.
  11. Web site: 'Couples Have To Go Through A Lot Of Conflict': Therapist Orna Guralnik & Filmmaker Josh Kriegman On Showtime's Docuseries 'Couples Therapy'.. May 9, 2019. February 20, 2022. February 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220220081244/https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/09/05/couples-therapy-showtime-orna-guralnik-josh-kriegman-interview/. live.
  12. Web site: Ariano . Tara . September 5, 2019 . Showtime's Couples Therapy May Be the Best Show You're Not Watching. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220221072310/https://www.primetimer.com/features/couples-therapys-second-season-is-even-more-gripping-than-its-first . February 21, 2022 . February 21, 2022.
  13. News: Stuever . Hank . December 11, 2020 . Showtime's addictive 'Couples Therapy' returns to briefly discuss the mutual miseries of 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210306160346/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/couples-therapy-covid-special-review/2020/12/10/d21395aa-3aa3-11eb-98c4-25dc9f4987e8_story.html . March 6, 2021 . February 22, 2022 . The Washington Post.
  14. Web site: Keller . Joel . 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. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220517040941/https://decider.com/2022/05/13/couples-therapy-season-3-showtime-review/ . May 17, 2022 . May 18, 2022.
  15. Web site: Walker . Jordan . June 25, 2021 . Interview: 'Couples Therapy' Directors Kim Roberts and Josh Kriegman. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220221090456/https://www.awardsdaily.com/2021/06/25/interview-couples-therapy-directors/ . February 21, 2022 . February 21, 2022.
  16. Web site: Carp . Daryn . April 15, 2021 . Dr. Orna Guralnik Shows the Side of Relationships That Are Often Overlooked in 'Couples Therapy'. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220221090445/https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/dr-orna-guralnik-shows-the-side-of-relationships-that-are-often-overlooked-in-couples-therapy/vp-BB1fHmJO . February 21, 2022 . February 21, 2022 . MSN.
  17. News: Bahr . Sarah . April 16, 2021 . Feeling a Bit Cramped? 'Couples Therapy' May Look Familiar. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220209121005/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/arts/television/couples-therapy-season-2-showtime.html . February 9, 2022 . February 9, 2022 . The New York Times.
  18. News: Horton . Adrian . September 3, 2019 . Couples Therapy: why would anyone agree to televise their therapy sessions? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220221094030/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/03/couples-therapy-why-would-anyone-agree-to-televise-their-therapy-sessions . February 21, 2022 . February 22, 2022 . The Guardian.
  19. Web site: Collins . Nina . April 30, 2020 . Boundaries During COVID: Nina Collins Interviews Orna Guralnik . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220221152546/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1C2gDwJ0s8 . February 21, 2022 . February 2, 2022 . YouTube.
  20. Web site: How Couples Therapy Put Therapy on TV (Without Ruining the Therapy). VanArendonk. Kathryn. September 26, 2019. Vulture. December 27, 2019. December 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191227062434/https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/couples-therapy-showtime-cast.html. live.
  21. Web site: Zucker . Andrew . October 17, 2019 . Dr. Orna Guralnik Discusses Her New Showtime Docuseries, 'Couples Therapy'. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220221094032/https://www.whrb.org/archive/dr-orna-guralnik-discusses-her-new-showtime-docuseries-coupl . February 21, 2022 . February 21, 2022.
  22. Web site: Hill . Libby . June 6, 2021 . 'Couples Therapy' Sage Dr. Orna Guralnik Knows You're Looking at Her Bookshelves. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220209115517/https://www.indiewire.com/video/dr-orna-guralnik-couples-therapy-showtime-1234641053/ . February 9, 2022 . February 9, 2022.
  23. Web site: Romanova . Natalia . April 12, 2021 . Virginia Goldner . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220221100049/https://blurred-reality.com/virginia-goldner/ . February 21, 2022 . February 22, 2022.
  24. Web site: Kirkland Vaughans, Ph.D. (Dix Hills, NY). February 21, 2022. February 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220221174638/https://www.apsameeting.org/speakers/kirkland-vaughans-ph-d-dix-hills-ny/. live.
  25. Web site: Dehnart . Andy . September 15, 2021 . A tie! Deaf U and Couples Therapy both won TCA Awards. Here are all the winners. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220208221541/https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2021/09/tca-award-winners-2021/ . February 8, 2022 . February 8, 2022.
  26. Web site: McManus . Bridget . 2022-07-22 . What Couples Therapy Australia can teach us about our relationships . 2022-10-26.
  27. Web site: Couples Therapy Australia returns with season two on Paramount+. 2022-10-24. 2022-10-26.
  28. Web site: Perry . Kevin . 2022-10-24 . FIRST LOOK. Marryam Chehelnabi returns with brand new season of COUPLES THERAPY AUSTRALIA . 2022-10-26.
  29. Web site: Psychotherapist with 30 years' experience helms Three's new Couples Therapy . NZ Herald . en-NZ . 18 July 2023.

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