Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Couples Therapy, which premiered on Showtime in 2019 and has become one of the most compelling documentary series exploring the complexities of human relationships and the therapeutic process.
Couples Therapy launched in September 2019 on Showtime and is currently in its fifth season, with the latest episodes released on May 23, 2025, on Paramount+ with Showtime. Each season features approximately 10 episodes with 30-minute runtimes, following four couples as they undergo weekly therapy sessions with world-class therapist Dr. Orna Guralnik. Unlike typical reality TV, this series offers an authentic documentary experience that takes viewers inside genuine therapy sessions.
Far from reality-show caricatures, this is true documentary filmmaking that brings viewers into the authentic and visceral experience of weekly therapy, creating an intimate portrait of relationships in crisis. The show’s approach is groundbreaking in its commitment to showing real therapeutic work rather than manufactured drama, making it both educational and deeply moving for audiences seeking genuine human connection.
Real Couples, Real Problems: The Heart of the Series
Couples Therapy doesn’t follow a traditional narrative arc but instead documents the messy, complicated reality of relationship repair. Each season introduces three to four couples from diverse backgrounds, ages, and relationship stages, all united by their willingness to work through serious relationship challenges on camera. The series covers issues ranging from infidelity and addiction to communication breakdowns and life transitions.
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. This commitment to authenticity means viewers witness genuine breakthroughs, setbacks, and the slow, often painful process of relationship healing. The couples aren’t actors or influencers seeking fame – they’re real people confronting their most vulnerable moments.
Dr. Orna Guralnik: The Masterful Guide Through Emotional Minefields
Dr. Orna Guralnik is a psychoanalyst and faculty member at the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, and she serves as the series’ central figure and therapeutic guide. Her approach is both compassionate and unflinchingly direct, helping couples navigate through years of built-up resentments, unspoken fears, and destructive patterns.
What makes Dr. Guralnik remarkable is her ability to remain present and professional while dealing with intense emotional situations. She doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations or uncomfortable truths, often pushing couples to confront issues they’ve been avoiding for years. Her sessions reveal the complexity of human relationships and the skill required to facilitate meaningful change. Dr. Orna Guralnik meets her patients for the first time when they enter her practice, adding authenticity as viewers witness initial assessments and the development of therapeutic relationships.
When Everything Falls Apart: The Most Intense Therapeutic Moments
The series reaches its emotional peaks during moments of complete relationship breakdown – when couples face the possibility that their relationships might not survive. These sessions often involve explosive arguments, painful revelations, or moments of profound vulnerability where partners finally express feelings they’ve been suppressing for years.
One of the most powerful aspects of Couples Therapy is how it captures the moment when couples realize they must choose between continuing destructive patterns or doing the hard work of change. These pivotal sessions often determine whether relationships will heal or end, creating genuine tension that no scripted drama could replicate. The camera captures every tear, every moment of recognition, and every small victory in the therapeutic process.
Critical Acclaim and Therapeutic Impact on Showtime
Showtime released its documentary series Couples Therapy to critical acclaim in 2019, and the show has continued to receive praise for its authentic portrayal of the therapeutic process. The series has been lauded by both critics and mental health professionals for its realistic depiction of couples therapy and its educational value for viewers considering therapy themselves.
Couples Therapy has sparked important conversations about mental health, relationship dynamics, and the stigma surrounding therapy. Many viewers report that watching the series helped them understand their own relationships better and encouraged them to seek professional help. The show’s format of following couples over months rather than single sessions provides insight into the long-term nature of therapeutic work.
A Must-Watch for Anyone Who Values Authentic Human Connection
If you love authentic storytelling and real human drama, Couples Therapy is the perfect series to experience on Showtime and Paramount+. This isn’t entertainment in the traditional sense – it’s an intimate look at the human condition that will leave you reflecting on your own relationships and the courage it takes to seek help and change.
Why You Should Watch: Raw Truth About Love and Healing
Couples Therapy offers something rare in today’s media landscape: complete honesty about the complexities of human relationships. It’s essential viewing for anyone interested in psychology, relationships, or simply witnessing the remarkable resilience of the human spirit when guided by skilled therapeutic intervention.
Series Details
Number of Episodes (Episodes aired so far): 50+ episodes across 5 seasons
Platform: Showtime/Paramount+ with Showtime
Release/End Year: 2019–2025 (ongoing)
Current IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Genre: Documentary, Reality TV
Status: Currently airing (Season 5 released May 2025)
Main Therapist: Dr. Orna Guralnik
Consulting Therapist: Dr. Virginia Goldner