Does Marriage Counselling Work?

Here’s the negative news: in the UK, divorce rates are on the rise.

Chances are, you don’t want to be that statistic. You want your marriage to work. But, are you struggling with your partner? Feeling like your arguments are going nowhere? Resenting your spouse?

You’re not alone. Marital problems can be incredibly stressful and frustrating for everyone involved.

Maybe you’ve been asking yourself, does marriage counselling work? And, perhaps you’re sceptical of what it can do for you and your partner.

We’re here to show you exactly what to expect in these counselling services and how you can strengthen your marriage by visiting the professionals.

Let’s get into it.

What Does Marriage Counselling Provide?

Marriage counselling offers a safe place for couples to explore their problems and fears.

The marriage counsellor plays a vital role in helping you and your partner increase awareness about the problems plaguing your relationship.

How does marriage counselling work in addressing those problems? It allows you to understand the key issues getting in the way of your happiness. Your counsellor will also be able to provide you with appropriate techniques and interventions to work through these difficult problems.

Who Can Benefit From Marriage Counselling?

Marriage counselling can benefit a variety of couples. Counsellors can provide assistance and support to clients experiencing:

Communication issues and deficits
Infidelity
Change-of-life concerns (changing jobs, raising children)
Financial stress
Trust issues
Sex and intimacy struggles

It doesn’t matter how long you have been married to your partner. In fact, you don’t actually have to be married to receive support. Even if you’re a new couple looking to strengthen your relationship, you can benefit from counselling.

With that said, couples facing all sorts of problems seek and receive help from marriage counselling.

If you’re asking yourself, does marriage counselling work, it’s important to consider having a more open and optimistic approach.

What Kinds of Improvements Can Couples Expect?

Many married couples who undergo marriage counselling report high rates of satisfaction and success with their services.

While there is no single “cure” or one-size-fits-all approach to strengthening couples, many people benefit from having a safe, non-judgmental and structured place to discuss their concerns.

Marriage counsellors receive rigorous academic training in understanding interpersonal dynamics, attachment, and intimacy. They work within appropriate therapeutic frameworks to conceptualize systemic problems.

They know how to intervene with couples who may be struggling with these issues, discuss new strategies and techniques, and help people understand such concerns in a different light.

Are you still wondering, does marriage counselling work for fixing major problems?

It absolutely can. If both parties are willing and committed to positive change, you can expect to see improvements in your feelings, thoughts, and reactions to your partner.

You will understand the steps you need to take to be a better partner, and your partner will learn the steps he or she needs to take.

Marriage counselling isn’t about blaming a single person or single incident. It’s about looking at all the pieces of the marital puzzle and identifying how the entire system can strengthen as a whole.

How Long Will It Take To See Results?

Does marriage counselling work instantaneously? For some people, it might. Some couples will significantly benefit from having a safe and supported professional validate their feelings and provide tools for relief and change.

For other couples, it may take some more time. There’s this old saying: it can get worse before it gets better. This may be true for some couples in counselling, especially if you’re bringing up some deeply-rooted trauma or resentment.

Good counsellors will recommend that you stay the course and continue with treatment, even if it causes some pain and fear. Often, that’s just the result of difficult feelings rising to the surface. It’s normal, and it’s expected.

With that said, there’s just no real way to put a timeline on seeing results. It’s a good idea to ask your counsellor how long he or she expects the treatment to take.

Trusted professionals will collaborate with you and be able to provide a ballpark estimate of the number of sessions you will likely need to attend to see positive, lasting results.

What If My Partner Doesn’t Want To Go To Counselling?

Maybe you’ve finally moved past the plaguing question, does marriage counselling work, and you’re ready to take action.

What if your spouse isn’t on board?

As it turns out, not all hope is lost. In fact, many spouses are hesitant, sceptical, or just generally unwilling to go to counselling.

The best takeaway? Get yourself into individual counselling. Not only will you have a safe place to explore your feelings, you can also learn about yourself and increase your own insight into the role you play in your marriage.

Who knows? Your spouse might quickly notice the positive changes and be more open to the idea of joining you in a session.

You may also find that some of the major work in the marriage entails you growing in a particular area.

Regardless, if you’re struggling with your marriage and your partner is unwilling to go to counselling, don’t let it stop you from pursuing your own help. You deserve it.