Therapy & Marriage Counseling

Marriage counseling is therapy for couples or individuals seeking to improve their married relationships. Marriage & Family Therapists (MFTs) provide this therapy and work in various fields, such as psychiatry, social work and psychology. During the counseling, which is usually temporary, MFTs attempt to help couples understand each other and improve their relationships through several different counseling techniques. Thousands of American couples choose to seek marriage counseling each year.

History

In the 1930s, marriage and relationship therapy became popular in the United States for people advocating sexual abstinence and population birth control. It wasn't until 1942 that the the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) developed. This was the first foundation aimed at restoring family and marriage life by delegating principles and practices of MFTs. As of 2010, the AAMFT represented over 200,000 MFTs.

Who Should Receive Marriage Counseling

Marriage counseling is a very broad field, and counseling can help a variety of people. Each year, MFTs provide counseling to millions of people in the United States. Families going through divorce seek marriage counseling to make sure the transition from married to divorced is smooth for the entire family. Children are welcome to join their parents in marriage counseling. Other common problems causing couples to seek marriage counseling are finance problems, communication issues and infidelity in relationships.

Techniques

MFTs offer counseling using several different techniques. The most popular techniques for marriage counseling are communication theory, relationship education and psychotherapy. Communication theory encourages communication between the couple and the MFT in order to improve their relationships. Relationship education allows the couple to learn what it means to be in a relationship in order to determine the direction of their relationship. Psychotherapy is one-on-one counseling with an MFT to improve a relationship by first improving the individuals' relationships with themselves.

What to Expect from Marriage Counseling

During marriage counseling, couples learn skills to help them succeed in their married relationship. At first, couples may be shy or reluctant about being open with a therapist, but after several sessions, couples usually become more comfortable and relaxed. The outcome of marriage counseling is not always what couples expect. Some couples go on to use skills learned to become successful married couples, independent of a therapist. Marriage counseling helps other couples to realize the need to end their relationship.

Finding a Marriage & Family Therapist

Finding an MFT can be difficult depending on your budget and other restrictions. MFTs offer a wide range of counseling options. Therapists have different fees ranging from $60 to $90 per hour, but some MFTs will reduce fees based on your budget. Finding a good MFT usually depends on their certification. Seeking MFTs with AAMFT certification is a good way to ensure that they are educated and qualified to provide you with professional counseling. You can look for MFTs using search engines, such as therapistlocator.net.

References

• The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT): Marriage and Family Therapists
• Mayo Clinic: Marriage Counseling
• The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: About AAMFT