Relationship Counseling

Relationship counseling refers to any type of counseling in which two parties attend therapy together to resolve conflicts and improve their relationship. Family members, coworkers and people in other types of relationships may attend relationship counseling. However, the term is most commonly understood to relate to counseling intended for two people involved in a romantic relationship, also called marriage counseling (whether or not the couple receiving it is actually married) or couples therapy, described below.

For less troubled couples, relationship counseling may be useful simply to learn relationship-solidifying skills, primarily those related to improving communication. Some couples may also wish to seek premarital counseling in order to make sure they have similar expectations for the relationship and to learn how to handle future challenges.

Other couples may seek counseling in order to deal with serious problems related to excessive fighting, abuse, intimacy and sexuality, substance abuse or infidelity. The therapist works to help each partner understand the other's perspective, learn to communicate and solve conflicts rationally, to forgive and to heal from past wrongdoings.

Even divorced couples may at times seek relationship counseling. Despite the end of their marriage, they may find it helpful to involve a neutral party in mediations or in helping to co-parent children.

Couples typically meet with a counselor once a week. They may require just a few sessions in order to address a specific issue or ongoing therapy. While the majority of the work is done in joint sessions, a therapist may wish to meet with each partner seperately to learn about their personal strengths and concerns or to address individual problems affecting the relationship.

Those seeking relationship counseling or couples therapy should look for a counselor who is state-licensed and specializes in working with couples. Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) are counselors trained in marital and familial counseling while many psychologists and social workers also specialize in helping couples. Pastoral counselors, meanwhile, commonly provide pre-marital, marital and relationship counseling from a faith-based perspective.

To find a relationship counselor near you, use our Therapist Search.