A marriage counselor helps a married couple work through their problems. Counseling can give spouses the tools to communicate their feelings effectively and to resolve their conflicts peacefully. Realizing that you need therapy is the first step. The second step is to find a therapist that both you and your spouse are comfortable with.
Step 1
Decide if you want to receive counseling from a licensed marriage counselor or from a pastor, priest or rabbi. Both spouses should jointly make the decision. If you are a looking for marriage counseling based on religious beliefs, seek therapy from a church leader. Otherwise, a licensed marriage therapist may be a better choice. A licensed marriage therapist has undergone extensive education to learn how to help couples resolve their problems.
Step 2
Ask for a recommendation from your doctor, family or friends. Your doctor may have a colleague that is a licensed marriage therapist. Family or friends may have had a good experience with a marriage therapist or church leader.
Step 3
Check your health insurance policy to see if it covers marriage therapy. If it does, ask your health insurance company for a list of marriage therapists covered by your policy.
Step 4
Search for a licensed marriage therapist in your area using the online "Therapist Locator" provided by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Step 5
Call the marriage therapist that you are considering and ask questions. Asking questions allows you to make an informed choice on whether the therapist is a good match for you and your spouse. Ask about pricing and the hours the therapist has available for appointments. Find out if the therapist is licensed, and ask if the therapist has experience dealing with your specific marital issues.
Step 6
Schedule your first appointment once you have found the therapist that you wish to see. During the first appointment, the marriage counselor will assess your marital problems and explain to you and your spouse what to expect during therapy. At the end of the appointment, if you and your spouse are comfortable with the therapist, make another appointment. If you and your spouse do not feel that the therapist is a good match, search for a different therapist.
