From the producers of "Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew," "Couples Therapy" is the first reality show to examine firsthand the real life experiences of a group of buzzed-about couples. For some of these couples, living under constant scrutiny from the media and fans makes it increasingly hard for them to stay together and VH1 wants to see why they can't seem to go the distance. These five couples at a crossroads in their relationships will join together for 21 days as they undergo intensive relationship therapy. Under the guidance of Dr. Jenn Berman, a nationally renowned relationship therapist, the couples will participate in group and individual therapy along with relationship exercises out in the "real world" to see if they can rekindle the love they used to have for one another -- or if it's simply time for them to move on.
The first night of Couples Therapy explodes with an intense fight between rapper DMX and his estranged wife Tashera. Things are no better between Angelina from MTV's Jersey Shore and her boyfriend celebrity chef Chris Nirschel, who argue in the middle of the night and well into the morning. Dr. Jenn and Dr. Mike are able to calm the couples down and accomplish some meaningful therapy in a group session, and that afternoon a new couple arrives that adds an interesting dynamic to the group. Later, after an intense and emotional therapy session, DMX refuses to attend a mandatory group session, and lashes out at Dr. Jenn and the camera crews.
Tashera struggles to keep DMX from quitting Couples Therapy as he continues to rebel against the strict rules of the facility. Linda Hogan's trust in Charley is put to the test when she reads his Facebook page. Kasey finds a text message on Vienna's cell phone from another guy she's been dating, which sets off an emotional group session, and ultimately leads Kasey to a heartbreaking personal breakthrough, but Vienna's reaction to Kasey's breakthrough threatens to destroy their fragile relationship once and for all.
There's a saying in relationship therapy that things often get worse before they get better, and that's exactly what happens for the couples as they approach the half way point in Couples Therapy. A war between Chris and Angelina erupts once again, this time because of Chris's sexual frustration and an alleged hidden cell phone Angelina has smuggled onto the facility. We learn just how much Reichen and Rodiney have both hurt one another when they finally begin to open up about their painful past, and just when it seems as though Vienna and Kasey are making healthy progress, their relationship unravels, and this time, it may not be repairable.
At this stage in Couples Therapy, Dr. Jenn and her staff start to look closer at the underlying causes of the couples' relationship issues, which often stem from childhood trauma. In an emotional group session, Angelina opens up about her tumultuous childhood and her trust issues with men, Reichen talks about being bullied in grade school for being gay, and DMX shares a horrific story of abuse that has clearly shaped the way he treats women to this day. Angelina's trust issues are tested when Chris receives a questionable card from his manager, and DMX struggles with the idea of facing his estranged mother after Dr. Jenn recommends they reunite and attempt to reconcile.
DMX has a heartbreaking reunion with his estranged mother and confronts her about abandoning him when he was a boy. Chris's manager Nicole flies in from New York to address Angelina's allegations that she's in love with Chris, and a trip to an engagement ring store stirs up some romantic feelings in Vienna, but her feelings are not for Kasey.
Linda Hogan meets with Dr. Jenn to discuss her future with Charley, and the fact that her mother does not support their relationship. Dr. Jenn helps Vienna process her feelings for her ex boyfriend Lee, and they decide that the best course of action is to be honest with Kasey, and to meet with Lee to find out where he stands. Kasey does not take it well, and things take a turn for the worse when Lee arrives.
As Couples Therapy comes to an end, Dr. Jenn and her staff do their best to help the couples resolve their relationship issues once and for all. Vienna has an emotional reunion with her ex boyfriend Lee that forces Dr. Jenn to make a drastic decision. Linda confronts her mother Gail over her lack of support for Charley, and Tashera asks Dr. Jenn for help finding closure with DMX. The couples have an emotional final group session, and that evening one of them pops a very important question.
Four of the five new couples are introduced to Dr. Berman. Shayne Lamas reaction to Nik Richie's comments about their marriage leads to an argument over their sleeping arrangements, and the pouring of wine onto a mattress. Courtney Stodden and Doug Hutchison's controversial relationship leads to heated exchanges with and Shayne Lamas and Nik Richie.
On the first night, Nik refuses Doug demand for an apology for Nik's statements about him and Courtney. In Process Group, Berman asks each couple about their darkest moment. Courtney and Doug relate a fight they had after a stranger gave Courtney his phone number; Alex relates a fight six months earlier in which she and Simon became verbally abusive, after which Alex demanded a divorce; Tiny relates an argument following JoJo's release from the hospital for reasons relating to his drinking; Nik talks about a time one month into his relationship with Shayne that she found text messages from another woman. The fifth and final couple, rapper Todd "Too Short" Shaw and his on-again, off-again girlfriend Monica Payne, arrive. Speaking with Shayne and Nik, Berman observes that Shayne's shopping is a non-verbal reaction to Nik's website. After leaving the dinner table over Courtney's clothing and dress, Shayne threatens to leave the program.
Continuing from the previous episode, Berman convinces a distraught Shayne to stay. In Process Group, Berman talks to the couples about the lies that they have used to maintain lives as public figures. Nik apologies to Doug for his prior language, but tension between them continues. Tiny attempts to talk to JoJo about his alcoholism, but he dismisses her concerns. Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen explore their relationship problems, but end up fighting over them. Berman and Tom Carouso observe communication difficulties in Alex and Simon, who bicker over minutiae but do not discuss specific issues regarding their relationship, and Doug and Courtney, who have trouble speaking due to Courtney's tendency to become distracted. Todd struggles with whether he can maintain his public image as a womanizer while staying in a committed, monogamous relationship.
Because of the limited amount of time that Courtney, a minor, can legally be allowed to spend at the treatment center, Doug must do without her during a couples yoga session, which causes him to become upset. Berman speaks to the group about trust, during which Courtney reveals that she still desires friendship from her ex-boyfriend, but romance from Doug. Dow and Berman talk to Tiny and JoJo about his alcoholism, but JoJoe remains obstinate. Shayne expresses aversion to Courtney's behavior and clothing during a group trip bowling
In Process Group, Berman talks to the couples about which member of each couple has the power in the relationship. Individually, she talks to Shayne and Nik about their cyclic fighting and Shayne's dismissal of Nik's feelings, to Todd and Monica about Todd's commitment to monogamy. To make a point to the couples about how fortunate they are to have each other, Berman arranges a group session in which the couples learn about the life and loves of Israeli psychologist Dr. Moti Peleg and his wife, Ronit. Berman implements a dress code under which Courtney must wear less revealing clothing, but Courtney is displeased with this
Courtney reluctantly complies with the new dress code, which she characterizes as a "backlash for being beautiful". In an emotional Process Group about past trauma, Alex talks about the deterioration of her father from Alzheimer's disease that began when she was nine, and his eventual death; Tiny talks about the childhood molestation she suffered and how it damaged her ability to trust men; Courtney's inability to open up in a similar manner offends the other couples. Alex and Simon later speak with Berman about how her trauma relates to her current relationship with her mother and her trust issues. After Courtney refuses to continue complying with the dress code, she is evicted from the program, and leaves the treatment center with Doug
Despite the relief felt by the couples in the wake of Doug and Courtney's departure, Dr. Berman criticizes some of the other couples for their aggressive behavior towards Doug and Courtney. Alex has a one-on-one session with Berman regarding the control issues Alex has with her mother. In a Process Group about love and loss, the couples learn the story of Scott Bolzan and his wife, Joan, who suffered a unique tragedy. Alex's mother visits the treatment center, where she speaks to Alex and Berman about unresolved questions about the day Alex's father died. Berman informs the group that Doug and Courtney will return to the treatment center
Doug and Courtney return after promising to abide by the center's rules. The other couples take responsibility for their prior behavior and welcome them back, but when Simon and Alex try to explain their concerns, Doug and Courtney dismiss Simon as "angry". Dr. Berman speaks with Courtney's mother, Krista Stodden, to learn about Doug and Courtney's relationship. Berman talks to Todd, whom she says has made progress, but has still not firmly committed to whether he wants a monogamous relationship. Todd and Monica and Nick and Shayne go out on private dates in order to reconnect romantically. While Todd surprises Monica with his tenderness and his promise to commit to her, Nik and Shayne's outing is marred by squabbling
Berman talks to Nik and Shayne about the fight during their date. In a Process Group about threats to their relationships, Doug and Courtney talk about being cut off from Doug's family, while Tiny and JoJo talk about his drinking, after which JoJo says he is leaving the treatment center. He later tells Tiny he wants her to leave as well. Doug talks to Nik and later to Berman about his relationship with Courtney and how it cost him his family. Berman introduces the group to singer/songwriter Doug Johnson and Eddie and Norma Kennedy, in order to learn the story of the Kennedy's daughter, Sara Elizabeth
Season 3 opens with therapist Jenn Berman helping a new contingent of high-profile couples. Here, an argument jeopardizes one couple's relationship before therapy even begins.
Flavor Flav and Liz's stormy past is explored during a dramatic session. Also: An extreme ropes course challenges the couples.
The couples explore trust issues with an exercise that stirs up emotions and drama. Also: A couple arrive at therapy; and fascinating background information is revealed to Joe.
A session turns explosive when the couples are asked to honestly discuss their problems.
A group session about the past's impact on present relationships takes an emotional course. Included: Flav, Abbey and Catelynn shed light on their personal stories.
Catelyn is heartbroken following a shattering development and reaches out to Dr. Jenn for help. Meanwhile, drama mounts when Liz takes a pregnancy test.
Abbey shares her feelings about Joe. Elsewhere, Flav and Liz are confronted just as they're about to make a formal announcement.
Tyler discusses his father. Also: The couples express their anger in a constructive way during a therapy exercise.
A body-language expert conducts a session and unearths harsh truths. Elsewhere, Joe and Dustin square off in an escalating altercation.
Joe and Abbey decide to leave the house in the Season 3 finale. Also: The couples have final dates, reflect on their experiences and look ahead to their futures.
Couples Therapy Season 4 begins with a new group of celebrity couples with extreme issues coming to therapy with Dr. Jenn Berman and her staff for help healing their broken relationships. Shockingly, one of the women is stood up by her boyfriend at the last minute and she arrives alone and heartbroken, and another couple's trust and fidelity issues explode before therapy can even begin.
The couples dive into their first group therapy session, where they each discuss the darkest moments in their past relationships and how that impacts them today. Taylor discusses the horrifying abuse she experienced with her ex-husband Russell,......
As everybody gets deeper into therapy, the couples begin to get more frustrated with their partners, and also with the other people in the house. In an explosive group therapy session, Dr. Jenn calls Taylor out for how rude she was the night......
In Jon and Liz's first group session, Jon admits that during a break in his relationship with Liz, he slept with other women, which now makes Liz not trust Jon. Sada questions whether Farrah's sex tape was amateur or professional and this isolates......
In group therapy, the couples discuss their sex lives, and how issues in the bedroom can be telling about their emotional relationships as well. This particular subject was hard to talk about for Jon, who was caught by Liz when he was trying to......
Kelsey has just heard the news that Ghost has another significant woman in his life, and that he wants to have a therapy session with Kelsey and the other woman. This is devastating for Kelsey, who is in love with Ghost, and doesn't know what to......
After Kelsey storms out of her therapy session with Ghost and his other woman, Latrice, it is clear she is brokenhearted and completely over her relationship with Ghost. She cries over her love lost, and decides to speak with Latrice alone. Kelsey......
The group shares their opinions with Jon and Liz about their relationship and how she treats him, and Dr. Jenn brings Jon in for a session to discuss how he can be more assertive with Liz. Next, Dr. Jenn begins this week's group session by letting......
Whitney and Sada realize that Sada is acting out because she is so nervous about her dad coming into therapy. Sada's dad finally shows up, and they have a heartfelt session together. Farrah has been making strides since she has been in therapy,......
After Taylor expresses to Dr. Jenn that she's having a hard time disciplining her daughter Kennedy, they decide to bring her to therapy to try out some new parenting tools. After Kennedy leaves, John tearfully tells Dr. Jenn how important it is to......
Former participants return to discuss how the show impacted their lives.
Season 6 returning this fall