Marriage
Counseling
Definition
Marriage counseling is a type of psychotherapy for a
married couple or established partners that tries to resolve problems in the
relationship. Typically, two people attend counseling sessions together
to discuss specific issues.
Purpose
Marriage counseling is based on research that shows
that individuals and their problems are best handled within the context of
their relationships. Marriage counselors are trained in psychotherapy and
family systems, and focus on understanding their clients' symptoms and the way
their interactions contribute to problems in the relationship.
Description
Marriage counseling is usually a short-term therapy
that may take only a few sessions to work out problems in the
relationship.
Typically, marriage counselors ask questions about
the couple's roles, patterns, rules, goals, and beliefs. Therapy often begins
as the couple analyzes the good and bad aspects of the relationship. The
marriage counselor then works with the couple to help them understand that, in
most cases, both partners are contributing to problems in the relationship.
When this is understood, the two can then learn to change how they interact
with each other to solve problems. The partners may be encouraged to draw up a
contract in which each partner describes the behavior he or she will be trying
to maintain.
Marriage is not a requirement for two people to get
help from a marriage counselor. Anyone person wishing to improve his or her
relationships can get help with behavioral problems, relationship issues, or
with mental or emotional disorders. Marriage counselors also offer treatment
for couples before they get married to help them understand potential problem
areas.
A third type of marriage counseling involves post-marital therapy, in
which divorcing couples who share children seek help in working out their
differences. Couples in the midst of a divorce find that marriage therapy
during separation can help them find a common ground as they negotiate
interpersonal issues and child custody.
Choosing
a therapist
A marriage counselor is trained to use different
types of therapy in work with individuals, couples, and groups. American
Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) training includes
supervision by experienced therapists, a minimum of a master's degree
(including specific training in marriage and family therapy), and specific
graduate training in marriage and family therapy. When looking for a
marriage counselor, a couple should find out the counselor's training and
educational background, professional associations, such as AAMFT, and state
licensure, and whether the person has experience in treating particular kinds
of problem.
Also, questions should be asked concerning fees,
insurance coverage, the average length of therapy, and so on.
Normal
results
Marriage counseling helps couples learn to deal more
effectively with problems, and can help prevent small problems from becoming
serious. Research shows that marriage counseling, when effective, tends to
improve a person's physical as well as mental health, in addition to improving
the relationship.
Resources
Organizations
American Association for Marriage and Family
Therapy. 1133 15th St., NW Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005-2710. (202)
452-0109. http://www.aamft.org.
American Psychological Association (APA). 750 First
St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. (202) 336-5700. http://www.apa.org.Gale Encyclopedia of
Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
