Does marriage counseling actually work? This is one of the most common questions couples ask before seeking professional support. There are many advantages to couples therapy, whether you’re newly dating or you’ve been married for decades. Let’s look at the success rate of marriage counseling to help you decide if this is the right path for you.
Statistics about Marriage Counseling Success
The specific numbers regarding marriage counseling success rates vary from one study to the next. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) says that three-fourths of couples who undergo couples counseling see an improvement in their relationship, and 90% of participants see an improvement in their physical or mental health.
The Journal of Marital & Family Therapy reports that 70% of couples in therapy experience a positive impact from marriage counseling. The Journal asserts, “It appears clear that couple therapy typically has the desired impact despite couple problems being known to be difficult to change.”
You Get out What You Put in
You’ve probably heard this phrase a dozen times in your life. You only get out what you put in. If you enter your marriage counseling sessions eager to work through difficult obstacles, you’re more likely to have a positive experience. If one or both of you are resistant to the process, you may not get the results you’re looking for.
Your therapy sessions represent a small portion of your overall time together. Your therapist will give you tools to use, such as coping and communication strategies. It’s up to you to put those tools to work in between sessions. Couples who actively utilize the lessons in marriage counseling are far more likely to work through challenges in their relationship.
Preventative Marriage Counseling vs. Reactive Marriage Counseling
Marriage counseling doesn’t have to be a last resort before divorce. Many couples benefit from preventative and proactive counseling. You and your partner communicate differently. You each have unique pasts that dictate how you interact in the present. Marriage therapy can help you learn how to meld those communication styles together in a harmonious and positive way.
Think of therapy like driving lessons. The goal is to develop skills in the lessons that will prevent accidents in the future. With therapy, you learn how to work with one another to manage, combat, and prevent marital distress. When a significant obstacle arises, you have the tools on hand to navigate it.
CNLD Testing & Therapy Offers Nonjudgmental Marriage Counseling in a Comfortable Environment
CNLD Testing & Therapy provides comprehensive mental health services, including marriage counseling, family therapy, individual therapy, and teletherapy. We have a diverse team of licensed providers who specialize in mental health, substance abuse treatment, couples counseling, child counseling, and much more. You’ll be matched with the ideal therapist for your specific needs. Contact us at (734) 994-9466 to schedule your first counseling session.
CNLD Testing & Therapy
5864 Interface Dr., Ste. D
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
