Does Marriage Counseling Work?

Every relationship can need help and there is no shame in asking “do marriage counselors work.” Looking in this kind of couple’s therapy shows you care about your relationship and are working towards returning to a healthy marriage. A lot of people don’t like the idea of therapy or have some thoughts as to what it’s like, even thinking it doesn’t work at all. While it’s easy to understand why looking into any kind of therapy is off-putting, it is true that marriage counseling works far more often than it doesn’t.

Let’s go over this particular kind of relationship counseling and get to the bottom of do marriage counselors work.

What is Marriage Counseling?

Marriage counseling is sometimes referred to as couples’ therapy and often falls into the category of psychotherapy. The goal of a marriage counselor is to help resolve the conflicts that have led to a breakdown of the relationship and enable each person to be able to communicate effectively during any new conflict. Essentially, marriage counseling is helping you through a difficult period in your relationship and giving you the tools to maintain it going forward.

The sessions are usually held with both partners but, if you’re looking at marriage counseling in Coeur d’Alene just for yourself to attend, that is an option. Both partners do not need to be present.

A lot of people think that if you have to go into marriage counseling then your marriage has failed and that isn’t true at all. It means you care about your relationship, admitting you need help in its struggles and are committed to your marriage. Even if, during the counseling sessions, you both determine it’s best to end the relationship you still didn’t fail. You’ve both decided it is best to go separate ways and care enough about each other’s happiness to do so. There is no failure in looking at do marriage counselors work.

How does Marriage Counseling Work?

As you would probably guess about marriage counseling, it involves a lot of open and honest dialogue. You cannot succeed in any sort of therapy is hiding things or giving misleading information, the goal is to better your relationship and honesty is the only way to do that.

The marriage counselor will most likely begin with asking what has led you to pursue couples’ therapy and walk through how you all will proceed.  While the first few sessions will be discussing the good and the bad, and each partner’s point of view on what has brought them there, the marriage counselor will guide the talks and determine what tools are best for you both to learn. The focus is usually on how to discuss things without becoming too emotional, problem-solving skills, and open communication techniques.

One concern people have when looking if do marriage counselors work is about the length of time in therapy. Don’t worry though, the goal is to equip you to where you and your partner no longer need it. The primary aim is to settle what has been brewing in your marriage, help resolve the major concerns and issues, then equip you to handle your future together so you won’t need to return. In order to do that though, expect some homework for you and your spouse; not everything is done in the session and practice makes perfect.

Now that you know what is essentially involved in couples’ therapy, the question still remains: “do marriage counselors work?” While it isn’t always a yes, the current statistic is that marriage counseling is considered 75% effective. So, it really comes down to whether or not you want to give it a try.

Marriage Counseling in Coeur d’Alene

There is no shame with struggling in your relationship or seeking marriage counseling in Coeur d’Alene. Even if you’re not sure yet whether couples’ therapy is for you, that doesn’t mean you can’t sit with a marriage counselor and talk about it or call for more information.

Finding yourself at Avalon Counseling shows that there is something in your relationship you feel needs work or something you want help with. Knowing that is the first step and the next is to give us a call to talk about it. We can walk you through our services, resources, and set up an appointment with you. You can even schedule an appointment right on our website to discuss marriage counseling and how it works at Avalon.

We’re looking forward to helping you through this and demonstrating that the answer to “do marriage counselors work”, is a resounding “yes!”