"Couples Therapy" (2019 release; 9 episodes of about 27 min. each) is a TV documentary series about couples therapy. As Episode 1 opens, we are introduced to Annie and Mau, married for 23 years. They are in session with psychoanalyst and couples therapist Orna Guralnik, and they start telling their story and why they are seeking therapy. Next up are Elaine and DeSean, married for 11 years. At this point we are less than 15 min. into Episode 1.
Couple of comments: first and foremost, this documentary series has nothing to do with the reality TV show of the same name that aired on VH-1 in 2012-2015. Second, the premise of this documentary is to follow 4 couples (the other two are Lauren and Sarah, married for 2 years, and Evelyn and Alan, married for 6 years). There is a reason why at the end of each episode we get a note that "The producers wish to thank the participating couples for their bravery and honesty". Indeed, the strength of this series is that these 4 couples leave it all out there, I mean, at times it is almost too much to take in. And it must be that the couples therapist feels likewise, as she is seen consulting with her clinical adviser, and she comments that she sometimes can't sleep at night due to the couples needs and her power/responsibility over these couples. If one were a cynic, one could say this series plays out like a soap opera as we become completely invested in these people, except that these are fictional characters but instead real people with real life problems.
"Couples Therapy" originally aired last Fall on Showtime, and I recently bingw-watched all 9 episodes in a single setting on SHO On Demand, yes, it is that good! A second season already has been green-lit and will be airing later this year, Can't wait for that!
