Perhaps the biggest question we get from couples calling our counseling centers is: “Does marriage counseling work?” Can you really benefit from talking to your spouse with a professional marriage counselor or therapist? Before you spend money on marriage counseling, you may want to know if it is the right decision for you. The information below will help you decide if marriage counseling is a fitting choice for your relationship.
You Determine The Success Of Your Marriage Counseling
Marriage counseling is an investment – you only get out of it what you put into it. Couples who are willing to openly discuss their troubles and learn from their marriage counselors have a much higher success rate than those who fight against the help. No matter what has happened in your relationship, you are the one who determines how successful your marriage counseling program is.
Couples Counseling vs. Individual Counseling
If you have decided that you need counseling to improve your marriage, you may question whether to go through couples counseling or individual counseling. Some people feel better talking about their marital issues in private with a therapist, while others prefer talking about their feelings with their spouse’s present. As a whole, married couples tend to reach success at a faster rate when they go through counseling together. The counselor is able to see both sides of the issue and help the spouses come to a mutual understanding with one another. You can still go through individual counseling in addition to your couples counseling, but you will probably resolve your problems faster if you go through therapy together.
Work Through Your Problems With A Helpful, Unbiased Mediator
Sometimes all it takes is an extra set of eyes and ears to help you get over major hurdles in your marriage. You and your spouse each have a unique perspective on the dynamic of your relationship. Your counselor will help you understand your spouse’s perspective better while simultaneously helping you express yourself better. As you learn to communicate with your spouse, you can develop tools and tricks to help you avoid similar situations in the future.
So, Does Marriage Counseling Work?
Only you can determine if marriage counseling is right for you. As a whole, there is a great potential for success if you are open to the suggestions laid out by your marriage counselor. Talk about your options with your spouse and decide which course of action is best for your marriage.