5 Marriage Counseling Tips to Make the Most of Each Session

Did you know 40 – 50% of marriages in the United States end in divorce? Are you worried about your marriage?

While that statistic may seem alarming, it doesn’t mean your marriage is doomed. if you’re willing to put work into your relationship, you should consider marriage counseling. Marriage counseling is 75% effective.

Here are five marriage counseling tips to keep in mind as you embark on your journey!

1. Marriage Counseling Is Not Individual Therapy

Marriage counseling is not the same as individual therapy. If you are considering going to marriage counseling, it’s important to find an impartial therapist.

You may love your current therapist, but it’s not fair to bring your spouse to your personal therapist for marriage counseling.

You’ll make more progress in therapy if both partners feel they’re on equal footing in therapy sessions. Take the time to find a therapist that you and your spouse are both comfortable with.

2. Marriage Counselors Are Specialists

Another important marriage counseling tip is to do your research when selecting a marriage counselor! Many marriage counselors are also therapists, but not all therapists are marriage counselors.

A marriage therapist has different training than other types of therapists and counselors. Marriage counseling is a sensitive specialization. Take your time to find someone who is a marriage counselor, rather than a generalist therapist!

3. Be Open

Approach marriage counseling with an open mind. You are entering a journey to heal and improve your relationship. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it if you keep an open mind.

Don’t be afraid of answering direct questions honestly. In order to get the most out of your journey, you may be uncomfortable at times. You’ll need to address issues that have long been thrown under the rug. It may be scary at times, but discomfort leads to growth.

4. Make a Commitment

Another great marriage counseling tip is to establish a timeline with your partner. How long will you attend marriage counseling together? How often will you go to marriage counseling? Will you go to therapy virtually or in person?

It’s important to discuss your timeline and potential commitment ahead of time because this will be a good way to kick off your first marriage counseling session.

Many marriage counselors, such as Robin Bryant, Ph.D., will ask you to establish a timeline during your first session.

5. The Most Important Marriage Counseling Tip

The last tip for marriage counseling is to be patient! The issues you and your partner bring to the table did not appear overnight. Solutions to your issues will take time as well.

If you enter marriage counseling with the understanding that good things take time, you’ll get more out of the entire experience.

Use These Marriage Counseling Tips

Marriage counseling is also hard work! It won’t always be fun. Now and then, you may leave sessions feeling worse than you did when you entered the room but that’s okay!

Remember to be patient and present. Keep these marriage counseling tips in mind as you embark on your journey. If you liked this article, check out more posts on our website!