According to the Mayo Clinic, many couples who experience relationship difficulties use marriage counseling as a way to solve ongoing relationship issues. Marriage counseling is a form of psychotherapy in which a couple meets with a licensed social worker or therapist who specializes in working with couples. The couple can access unbiased and confidential support for issues that are affecting their relationship.
How It Works
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, couples who are struggling with life challenges such as substance abuse, depression, parenting difficulties or career changes may experience associated difficulty in their relationships. Marriage counseling is typically designed to be brief and solution-focused, so a counselor will help a couple identify key problems and work towards solutions that satisfy both partners.
Time Frame
The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy notes that a typical timeframe for marriage counseling is between eight and twelve sessions. Couples' issues and experiences vary, and extended counseling may be required for more complex issues affecting the relationship. In theory, however, marriage counseling is intended to be short-term in nature, while forms of individual therapy may last longer.
Selecting a Therapist
The Mayo Clinic notes that couples should take time to select a therapist who both partners feel comfortable working with. Couples can get referrals from a medical provider, family member or friend. Couples often consult with several clinicians in order to find a counselor whose style and expertise suits their needs. Many clinicians have subspecialities in addition to working with couples and may have additional expertise such as substance abuse, or parenting.
Benefits
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, up to 90 percent of individuals report improvements in their emotional and physical health after attending marriage and family counseling sessions. Three-quarters of couples report improvements in their relationships after attending marriage counseling.
Expert Insight
Experts from the Mayo Clinic note that marriage counseling can be a difficult process, especially if there are ongoing problems or resentments between partners. People may find that they need to discuss issues that make them quite angry, but with the unbiased support and insight of a trained counselor, couples can develop improved communication and a better understanding of each other's needs and perspectives.
