All married couples make lifelong vows to each other without really knowing what will happen in the future.
Most people have never been taught how to have healthy relationships, much less how to maintain love while raising a family or growing up with another person for decades.
Perhaps this is the reason why more and more couples are asking themselves: “Is marriage counseling effective and how can it help?”
behavioral neuroscience research It shows that no matter what you practice, you will get better at it. When you play the piano, you will improve over time. After lots of discussion, you and your partner will become experts on his Discord.
On the other hand, if you and your spouse take a positive approach to your love life and marriage, you will have a fulfilling and peaceful life for many years to come. Let’s discuss some of the most common questions people have about couples therapy.
How does marriage counseling work for couples who are having problems?
First, let’s look at the definition of a marriage agency. Marriage therapy or counseling is a process that you and your partner go through to determine how to improve your relationship, strengthen family relationships, or decide whether to continue your marriage.
Most licensed marriage and family therapy providers evaluate relationships and teach couples new skills. This can be done over several weeks or as an intensive retreat experience.
Couples entering marriage counseling should learn how to improve their relationship and be prepared to discuss topics such as intimacy, race, communication, trauma and stress. This means difficult conversations will need to be had, but the therapist will help mediate and monitor emotions during the session.
Don’t sign up for a marriage agency until you understand these six facts.
1. What is the success rate of couples counseling?
on average, 70% of couples who participate in marriage therapy report improvement in their marriage. Some styles of therapy, such as emotion-focused therapy, Gottman therapy, and imago therapy, yield slightly different statistics, but the averages fall within this range.
The question then arises: what happens to the remaining 30%? Some couples end up getting divorced after trying marital counseling, but in some cases it can be considered successful.
When a couple gets married for the wrong reasons or separates from each other for the right reasons, it may be beneficial for each individual to live separately.
2. Is it worth going to marriage counseling?
probably. Many people seek marriage counseling (known as discernment counseling) to improve their relationships or to decide whether they should continue in their marriage. In either scenario, marriage counseling can be very helpful if you are motivated and open to the process.
If both spouses are not willing to change, therapy is less likely to help. It is also important to consider that therapy is available to all couples. Preventative, restorative, or exploratory couple efforts can help make almost any relationship stronger.
Consider writing down a list of your marital goals and dreams, and ask yourself if it’s worth spending a few hours achieving them.
3. How long does it take to work at a marriage agency?
The truth depends on many factors, including the skill of the therapist, the trust both spouses have in the professional, and whether the couple is open to change.
Some couples report significant improvement after a weekend of intensive treatment, while others require several weeks of ongoing treatment.
As a general rule, if you are not satisfied with your treatment experience after 3-5 sessions, you should discuss this with your doctor to evaluate future treatment plans. Consider finding a counselor who is a better fit or has other training, such as one who is affiliated with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
4. Can a marriage counselor make the situation worse?
Contrary to some opinions, it is. Unfortunately, some couples report feeling a sense of distance after sessions or an increase in arguments and disconnections between therapy visits. This is often because the therapist is not well trained or the couple is interfering with the therapy.
It is important to evaluate progress in couples therapy every few visits to ensure that everyone agrees on goals and has a common vision for the direction of treatment.
5. How do I know if couples therapy is working?
The best way to evaluate the effectiveness of couples therapy is to use a classic pre- and post-analysis. Consider your goals for marriage. Write it down. Please describe your pre-treatment situation in as much detail as possible.
Next, I will describe my situation and experience after several therapy sessions. Some goals will take longer than others, but as you continue treatment you should see an overall improvement.
If you feel stuck, it could be a sign that your goals are too vague, too big, or that your therapy or therapist isn’t working. It may also indicate your level of involvement in the process.
6. How much does marriage therapy cost?
There are various costs involved in the couples therapy field. Many therapists accept insurance, so you may only have to pay out-of-pocket. However, more and more well-trained couples therapists are choosing private pay only.
Prices for these sessions range from $100 to $300 on average for weekly in-person or online therapy sessions, with more expensive services typically occurring in larger cities.
If you’re looking for a couples retreat, there’s just as much variety. You can spend as little as $500 and as much as $15,000 for a well-trained couples therapist. Ultimately, you and your spouse will need to decide how much money you and your spouse can afford and how much your marriage is worth to both of you.
The average cost of a wedding in America is approximately $30,000. Divorce often costs tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention subsequent medical expenses for the children and emotional distress for everyone involved. The long-term investment in your marriage is likely worth the short-term cost.
Marriage counseling helps many couples prevent or repair stress in their relationships. However, not all therapies and therapists are equally able to provide this service, and not all couples are ready to participate in therapy and get paid.
If you’re thinking about attending couples therapy, start by making a list of your goals. Discuss these with your partner and share if you need professional guidance to make positive changes.
Keep in mind that it may take time to find the right person to help you both, and remind yourself that a few hours of your time is well worth a lifetime of peace and fulfillment. Please tell me.
Dr. David Helfand Owner and Founder of LifeWise, LLC and Relaxation and Relationship Psychologist.