marriage counseling

counseling on marital problems and disagreements

Relationship counseling may be advertised under several headings: marriage, family, couples, ... . It is usually done by appointment with a face-to-face counsellor. Other methods of counseling may also be used: Telephone counseling, Internet, Proxy, Snail-mail, social work, community work, Pastoral counseling, television and radio shows ... . The persons involved in the counseling may or may not all be present at the time of the counseling. Usually one person is more motivated to the process than others, so ften the counseling process may be a legal requirement for one or more persons to be involved.Relationship Counseling services in large cities may also specialized on the basis of sexual preferences, religion, funding-agency or other categories. Although there are professionally and formally recognized courses in most types of counselling, there is no guarantee that the immediate counselor is current with professional practices nor professional standards. Couple counseling is a type of psychological counseling where a couple meets with the psychologist, social worker or other type of mental health professional for counseling to address the dysfunction in their marriage or other type of relationship. There is a great deal of research on the effectiveness of couple counseling. In general, it has been shown to help most couples who try it, but that many still go on to dissolve their relationship.Some parties who get divorce use a similar process through divorce mediation to determine issues like custody, spousal support and the division of property. Many individuals refuse to seek counseling because of the feeling that they are admitting that their marriage has failed. However, many couples in successful marriages seek counseling to resolve difficult issues, to confront their own psychological problems within the context of couples therapy or to find a neutral space where they can work on their relationship. Some marriage counselors may meet with the partners separately before meeting with them together, or may even have individual counselors who meet with the partners and then have a group session with all the counselors and the partners.The internet has added new dimensions to traditional face to face counseling. It is now possible to engage in counseling sessions with therapists in other states or even other countries via web cams, email and the telephone.Most studies showing marriage counseling effectiveness do not provide parallel study of placebo groups or the improvement of persons with the mere passage of time with no treatment. A 1995 study by Consumer Reports with a sample size of over 15,000, while indicating some value in counseling by the North American consumers of these services, also indicates substantial dissatisfaction with marriage counseling. That is, marriage counseling was seen as the least effective intervention offered. (Many counseling agencies will not provide longer term studies of their work, and have no means of inquiry as to the marital status of couples in subsequent years.) Support groups, such as Alcoholic Anonymous were seen as the most valuable social intervention of all, by consumers. Counseling or therapy that is reimbursed by health insurance in the United States, requires a diagnosis of mental illness. Psychotherapy methods rarely involve instruction to the couple, or to the husband or wife regarding specific methods to correct behaviors which have led to deterioration in the marriage. This void is being met by the marriage education movement which dates its beginnings to 1995. This movement, while not seeking to supplant therapy or counseling, sees nearly all individuals and couples, including unmarried, dating couples, as capable of learning improved relationship skills, from a variety of means, including self-study. Intensive follow-up at the University of Denver has shown repeatedly, that educational efforts, when presented by lay persons, can often be more efficacious than therapy given by pathology-bound psychotherapists. The numerous contributors: psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists comprising the coalition of relationship educators can read at smartmarriages.com

External links -

ericdigests.org - Basic Techniques in Marriage and Family Counseling and Therapy

counsel-search.com - Does Family and Marriage Counseling Work?

answerbag.com - How can one choose a good marriage counselor?

counsel-search.com - Family & Marriage Counseling: National Marriage Counselor Directory

iamfc.com - International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors

the Feeling Better Center, LLC
offering empowering and nonpathologizing therapy and counseling for the purpose of healing and growth
http://www.feelingbettercenter.com

TalkDoctors.com: Phone Counseling and On-Line Advice
TalkDoctors.com provides phone and e-mail counseling for dating, relationship problems, family development, and parent-child concerns. TalkDoctors.com also helps with stress management, depression, anxiety, and personal growth.
http://www.talkdoctors.com/

Revive the Romantic Relationship
Describes a patented marriage counseling technology that extinguishes the barriers to love, and helps create a romantic relationship. Excerpts from a book in progress.
http://marriagecounseling.ws

Complete Marriages
Free on-line marriage strengthening resources and advice club. Also offers books, tapes and encounter workshops.
http://www.completemarriages.com

Abuse Recovery and Marriage Counseling
Information, resources, holistic therapy, hypnotherapy, ADD, & court evaluations for abuse survivors.
http://www.abuse-recovery-and-marriage-counseling.com/

Scientology Marriage Counseling
The application of Scientology techniques to saving and improving marriages including testimonials, tips and information on film showings.
http://www.marriagesolutions.org/