Marriage counseling is one way couples can make sense of what is happening to them
so they can make positive choices to improve their relationship – it is an informed
opinion about what couples can do differently based on sound principles and researched
knowledge of how relationships work. Marriage counseling provides direction, creates
clarity, holds couples accountable, provides a safe space for couples to talk about
their hurts, sadness, frustrations, hopes, and the good things about their relationship.

Effective marriage counseling and couples therapy:

• teaches partners how to avoid polarized, win-lose conversations.
• shows couples how to minimize defensiveness when in conflict.
• provides space for couples to test out new ways of communicating.
• actively reconnects the couple with strengths obscured by a problem-focus.
• offers direct feedback relevant to the couple’s situation.
• can almost immediately reduce stress and couple anxiety.

Marriage and Couples Counseling:

• recognizes one person is rarely the problem: it is a dance we do together.
• focuses on what YOU want and need instead of blaming the other person.
• orients itself around larger issues instead of burying itself in detail complexity.
• believes reason and emotion both need to be heard and expressed.
• accepts that affairs can happen and that couples can overcome them.

What are Couple Therapy sessions like?

• sessions identify issues, teach and provide assignments.
• specific instructions are provided on how to listen and problem-solve.
• interactive, professional feedback that is relevant and informed.
• principles are introduced that provide guidance and new direction.
• there is a process for helping couples through infidelity and unfaithfulness.
• stories, metaphors, paradoxical statements are used to shift awareness.
• a positive outlook, encouragement, and a sense of hope are present.
• a Christian perspective on relationship is integrated with couple’s permission/request.

A common misconception is that BOTH partners need to be in couple counseling or
marital therapy for change to occur. While it is desirable, one person motivated
to change can have a real impact on the relationship. Marriage counseling can be
about individuals or couples.