There are a lot of opinions about whether counseling for marriage is right for everyone. While some people think it's a needless expense, others testify that counseling saved their marriage. Is it right for you? Here are a few questions to ask first:
What are your reasons for going to counseling for marriage?
It can be difficult to decide the right time to seek counseling for a marriage, but you might not want to wait until things become so bad in the relationship that you are desperate. Do you want to go to counseling because you have tried the alternatives? Are you at the breaking point? When you have problems in your marriage, it's time to get serious about what your needs are.
Will your partner accompany you to counseling?
When considering counseling for marriage, the answer to this question is crucial. You have to get very honest about whether you are working on the marriage as a couple. Does your partner want to work on the marriage as well, or are you the only one interested? Don't be disheartened if the answer is no, though. Some professionals will counsel one partner. Online counseling is Does Counselling Actually Help Relationships? also an option if the idea of counseling is embarrassing to your partner.
How much money will it cost?
Many marital problems are money related, and many partners will balk at having yet another expense. Insurance companies will not always cover counseling for marriage, so it will be an out of pocket expense. Are you ready to contribute what might be hundreds of dollars to save your marriage?
What happens if you don't receive counseling?
What does your marriage look like without professional intervention? Counseling for marriage is sometimes the last effort before divorce. Can you work out your differences without help? Does your partner agree? Some couples may be able to work out their problems on their own, but if you find yourselves having the same arguments over and over again without a resolution, it might be time to seek counseling for marriage and a professional's help.
Who will you get to do the counseling?
Don't choose the first counselor in the phone book. It might take a bit of time before you find a counselor that is acceptable to both of you, and you might go to more than one to find someone whose philosophy you both agree with. There are many kinds of counselors and counseling services so that you can find the best person to work with. If you don't want to invest time finding the right counselor, are you going to be able to go through the work that needs to happen during the counseling for marriage?