When money is a source of stress and worry, that stress can influence many aspects of your life, including your marriage or partnership; relationships with children, other family members and friends; your career; and your health.

Most of our adult beliefs about money are based on our earlier life experiences. These core money issues can affect our adult relationships.

In order to make lasting changes to budgeting, spending, savings, and investing plans, it is very helpful to learn more about our underlying beliefs and values in regard to money.

Financial therapy can help individuals, couples, and families:

  • Examine your inner-most feelings, beliefs, hopes, and fears about money
  • Handle the emotional issues that can interfere with effective financial decision-making
  • Identify money behaviors that are getting in the way of your goals
  • Clarify and re-evaluate values and priorities
  • Develop a healthier, more realistic relationship with money, and a plan for managing it
  • Reduce money-related stress and conflict, and improve family relationships
  • Work through sudden money transitions, such as receiving an inheritance, going through a divorce, or losing a job

For investment advice and retirement planning, clients are referred to financial planning professionals, such as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) or a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS).

For individuals

As an individual, you may participate in financial therapy because you are concerned about your relationship with money and how it affects your self-esteem, achieving your goals, and your relationships with family members.

For couples

Couples may experience difficulties talking about money without fighting. Learning to discuss money and values is an important skill for couples to have. Working as a money team is essential, as well as aligning your values and priorities with your spending.

For families

Examples of times when families may benefit from financial therapy include: when working through issues related to emerging adult children becoming more independent, going through the estate planning process, and when an inheritance has been received.

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