Ep 3. Love, by the Numbers

In episode 3 of Couples Therapy season 3, titled "Love, by the Numbers," the couples delve into the importance of numbers in relationships. Dr. Orna Guralnik, the therapist, opens the session by asking each couple to share their significant numbers, including their age and how long they’ve been together. Each couple has a different perspective on their numbers, with some feeling pride in their long-term commitment, while others feel pressure from societal expectations.

The first couple to undergo therapy in this episode is DeSean and LaToya. They both share their numbers, with DeSean revealing that he’s been married twice before and LaToya sharing that she had her first child at the age of 16. This prompts Dr. Guralnik to reflect on how these numbers may have impacted their relationship, which is currently struggling with trust issues. The couple shares their experience with infidelity, with LaToya admitting that it’s hard for her to trust DeSean and reaffirming her need for emotional safety.

Next up are Thomas and Laurie. They are a long-term couple who were high school sweethearts and have been together for over 30 years. In this episode, they explore the impact of their family history on their relationship. They discuss how Thomas’ father’s passing and Laurie’s mother’s infidelity have affected them, and how they’ve had to work through the trauma with each other’s support. As they continue to explore their past, they realize that they still have work to do in order to fully heal.

Afterward, we meet Kourtni and Jody. This couple is navigating the ups and downs of a long-distance relationship. They share how they’ve adjusted to the distance, including maintaining communication through video chat and planning surprise visits. Dr. Guralnik reflects on how their numbers inform their current relationship stage and explores the reality of the challenges that long-distance couples may face.

The final couple to take part in therapy is Chelsea and Shane, who are in a new relationship. They discuss the impact of past relationships on their current dynamic, with Shane expressing concern that he is projecting insecurities from prior relationships onto Chelsea. Dr. Guralnik encourages them to be open and honest, reminding them that it’s important to address past traumas in order to have a healthy future together.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Guralnik challenges each couple to reflect on their own numbers, both past and present, and explores how those numbers may have affected their relationships. By acknowledging the impact of their numbers, the couples are able to establish a greater understanding of each other. The episode ends with Dr. Guralnik reminding the couples that every relationship is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.