Marriage Counselling: Does it Work?
Have you ever asked yourself, "Does marriage counselling work?" You are not alone. When communication has broken down or conflicts are overwhelming, the thought that could cross the mind of many couples is marriage counselling or couples counselling. It provides a secure environment to communicate freely, restore trust, and reconnect at a deeper level. Although the results may be different, it may often bring the partners to empathize with each other and improve the relationship.
What Is Marriage Counselling?
Marriage counselling is a place where partners get to identify and interrupt negative cycles that contribute to conflict and disconnection. In the words of therapist Audrey Schoen, counselling sessions can provide a couple with insight into what is holding them back and how they can get on with it.
However, the question is, does marriage counselling work? The answer is yes, according to the experts. According to Mario Palacios, success rates average about 50%-60% when couples go to marriage counselling. Counselling can help with commitment and proper support.
How Does Marriage Counselling Work?
If regular arguments and disconnection are the new norm, turning to marriage counselling can help you identify unhelpful patterns, have a space dedicated to the hard conversations, and improve communication. Every couple’s counselling will look different depending on your issues and goals. It is not just simply talking to a therapist, but it is a highly individualized process based on your relationship and your aims. Marriage relationship counselling assists you to go through issues in a manner that suits you best.
(ref- Marriage Counseling: Benefits, Process, & Other Resources)
What Types of Marriage Counselling Are Available?
Cognitive behavioural therapy
The Gottman Method
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)
Positive psychology therapy
Solution-focused therapy (SFT)
(Reference: Does Marriage Counseling Work? – Forbes Health)
Different Types of Marriage Counselling
Marriage counselling, just like any other therapy, does provide various modalities to suit the needs of every couple. Although there are numerous ones, some are the most common and most effective in relationship counselling.
One of the most popular methods is “The Gottman Method”. It provides you and your partner with effective tools to manage conflict and creates a more in-depth and connected relationship.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a way of making you identify negative thoughts and observe their influence on your behaviours to replace them with positive ones.
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy is based on the emotional approach to identify what made you lose the connection and create a more robust relationship.
(ref- Marriage Counselling: Benefits, Process, & Other Resources)
Who Might Consider Marriage Counselling?
Considering starting therapy? Marriage counselling will be appropriate for any couple that has tried to work out their differences without success. Some reasons you might benefit from relationship counselling are as follows:
You have poor communication and are unable to agree.
You’re constantly fighting or bickering.
You’re incapable of problem-solving together or experiencing equal decision-making.
You have trust issues.
You feel a lack of connection, emotionally and physically.
You have lifestyle or life-goal disagreements (i.e. money, kids, where to live, etc.)
You are reeling from one partner (or both) engaging in infidelity.
You are having more bad days than calm and happy days.
What Happens in a Marriage Counselling Session?
During a marriage counselling session, a couple, with the help of a therapist, discusses their relationship problems and settles on how to solve them.
Getting to know how to communicate with each other in more effective ways
Discovering how to be weak and honest with one another
How to calm their anger and reactions when they are emotionally aroused
Finding out the reason why they want to be married, as well as the common goal in the marriage.
Reviving romance
Finding and building on positive points of connection
Does Marriage Counselling Work?
Marriage therapy can be helpful in case both spouses are really eager to develop, recover and overcome difficulties together. It is not only the desire to change but also the willingness to take your side of the coin and be ready to work towards a healthier relationship.
In the words of therapist Cohan, “Two individuals are dancing a dance, both functional and dysfunctional.” When both are willing to change the rhythm, then the change starts.
Counsellor Bronstein continues, “Desire generates authentic transformation. It can work when both individuals believe in working at it.”
(ref- Does Marriage Counseling Work? – Forbes Health)
Final Thoughts
Marriage counselling can be a powerful tool and resource, especially when both couples are willing to work hard. It is never about a quick fix but always about how to better communicate, how to rebuild trust and how to grow with each other. The tools you might need to reconcile your relationship can be offered to you in therapy. Couples counselling may be the appropriate step when you feel that your relationship is on hold.
Rebuild your connection; start your journey with KS Therapy Services today.
FAQs
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The success rate of marriage counselling is around 50 to 60 percent, particularly when both parties are ready to change and receive open communication.
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Relationship counselling or couples counselling may be effective for couples who have issues of trust, conflict and remoteness in their relationship.
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The best couples therapy methods assist therapists to diagnose problems, enhance dialogue, cope with conflict and heal emotional intimacy.
