Why Marriage Counseling Works

A couple?s wedding day is often the happiest memory of their relationship. However, the wedding day does not guarantee happiness, loyalty, and companionship. Many couples struggle in the coming years. They may experience trouble with infidelity, financial struggles, and parenting differences. They may grow apart, and one day, find themselves questioning their entire marriage. When you feel that all hope is lost in your relationship, is it too late to save those vows you made so many years ago? Can you make it through this difficult relationship period, and prevent divorce from occurring? Counseling has shown to be very successful in bringing couples back together for many reasons.

Counseling provides an unbiased middle ground. Couple members may feel like they are not being listened to or that their feelings do not matter. They may find it difficult to efficiently express their opinions to their spouse. It can be extremely beneficial to have an unbiased third party to identify and point out these problems. They can notice and state problems with communication, arguing, and how each spouse member talks to the other.

Counseling exercises can prepare for tough conversations. One of the biggest reasons for marital problems is a lack of effective communication. If a couple is unable to communicate, their problems continue to get worse and nothing ever gets solved. Marriage counseling can provide the couple with exercises that will teach them how to have those tough conversations. More couples are willing to practice these new communication styles and efforts, because they are in a neutral and safe environment.

One of these exercises or styles of communication practice, for example, is Emotionally Focused Therapy. According to the Chicago Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy, research shows that about 50% of couples who participated in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy recovered upon the termination of therapy, with 70% recovering within the next three months. The tools learned can be priceless. After working with a marriage or family therapist, 93% of patients said they had more effective tools for dealing with their problems. Respondents also reported improved physical health and the ability to function better at work after attending therapy.

Marriage therapy shows great results According to research done by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, over 98% of surveyed couples who underwent couple?s therapy reported that they received good or excellent help, and over 97% of those surveyed said they got the help them needed. Simply having a scheduled time each week, or bi weekly can be extremely helpful in working on a relationship. Too many couples do not put aside the necessary time to work on their marriage, often leading to divorce.

Individual counseling for a strong coupled marriages. Most couples believe that the problem with their relationship lies with the other spouse. However, in most cases, there are problems with both spouses. When a person is dealing with their own problems, they are unable to be an effective part of a marriage. Individual counseling, along with couples psychotherapy can be extremely beneficial.

The individual counseling time allows the individual of the marriage to work on their own past, current individual stressors, and any private issues that they do not want to bring up in the marriage counseling session. Individual counseling is often recommended for couples who undergo many couples therapy sessions. The individual counseling sessions also is a great place for individuals to practice communication styles and to prepare for difficult conversations with their spouse later on.

The United States is known for its high rate of divorce. People are more stressed than ever, which often finds its way into marriages. Poor communication and unhealthy fighting styles can tear marriages apart. Therapists can provide couples with many great tools for effective communication and arguments styles. Individual counseling can also work on personal problems, allowing each individual to build a strong base to continue to build their marriage on.