How Long Does Marriage Counseling Take?

Are you and your spouse considering marital counseling? If this is the case, you may wonder how long it will take you to resolve your problems.

 

According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a married couple typically works with a marital counselor for roughly 12 sessions. Nonetheless, some married couples seek help from a counselor for more than fifty sessions, depending on their therapeutic requirements.

 

The duration of the best virtual counseling for marital issues might vary depending on the counselor's choice of the treatment model and the couple's commitment to therapy.

Some couples may achieve their goals in as little as four to six sessions. Many couples need a little push to communicate better, reach mutual objectives, or resolve day-to-day issues. Sometimes, married couples face more complex challenges or other concerns that may necessitate long-term counseling.

 

Factors Affecting Time in Counseling

 

The length of your therapy sessions with your spouse depends on several factors. The following are some of these factors:

 

What Are Your and Your Partner's Objectives?

 

If you and your partner have decided to seek professional intervention, one of the first things your counselor will do is help you formulate shared objectives for your time in therapy.

Your objectives, such as enhancing communication, may be broad under certain circumstances. In others, they may be more precise, such as rebuilding trust after a recent act of infidelity.

 

Regardless of the situation, knowing and stating your objectives can help a marriage counselor assess how long marriage therapy could take.

 

You may learn how to communicate with your partner effectively in a few sessions, but restoring trust after an affair may take much longer.

 

How Determined Are You and Your Partner to Achieve Your Objectives?

 

You and your partner may set as many objectives for your relationship as you want. But it is crucial to determine your therapeutic goals and objectives and work as a team to achieve them.

For marital therapy to be successful in helping you and your partner communicate better or repair trust, both of you will need to put in significant time and effort. If only one individual makes all the effort, you may not get the desired outcomes.

 

Who is Going to Be Your Marriage Counselor?

 

The number of therapy sessions varies from couple to couple since every couple has unique needs and issues. However, finding a marital counselor with whom you both feel comfortable is crucial.

 

A good therapist never takes sides. So, you must ensure that the therapist you choose remains impartial throughout your therapy sessions and acts in the best interest of both.

 

Fact Sheet

 

A high degree of satisfaction: According to a survey by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, families and couples who have participated in couples or family therapy showed satisfaction with marriage counseling.

 

Almost 98 percent of respondents indicated they had an outstanding experience, and over 97 percent said that counselors provided them with the necessary help to resolve their issues.

 

Less time than individual therapy: Studies indicate that couples or family psychotherapy is often more efficient than individual therapy. Marriage therapy is most beneficial when both partners opt for it.

 

Couples counseling requires fewer sessions than individual therapy. Hence, it saves you time and money while helping you mend your marriage.

 

Not A Magic: Marital therapy is not magic and may not prevent a divorce. When individuals hear the term "marriage therapy," they often assume it is a magical remedy that would save their relationship. Sadly, this is not the situation.

 

Therapy for marriage issues can help heal the divides in your relationship, but it also discourages remaining in an unhealthy relationship. For instance, if you are going through domestic abuse, have a passive-aggressive partner, or your partner is not ready to change their ways, the only solution left is to end the marriage.

 

Give Marriage Counseling a Try to See How It Can Help

 

Some couples are reluctant to engage in marriage therapy since they don't want to meet with a counselor for an extended period. However, it is often not the case; it depends on you and your partner and the specific challenges you are going through.

 

If you and your partner dedicate themselves to marriage therapy, it will not take more than three to six months, and you will start seeing optimistic growth in your relationship within a few sessions. It will be well worth your time as you learn how to manage your emotions, discuss controversial topics, and work toward restoring the lost charisma of your married life.