Relationship counseling can be for romantic partners, children and their parents, friends, or anyone looking to address relationship issues or strengthen their relationship. Learn more about relationship counseling, types, who needs it, and what to expect.
What Is Relationship Counseling?
Relationship counseling is any type of counseling or therapy conducted by a mental health professional and at least two or more people seeking support for their relationship. “Relationship counseling” (or “relationship therapy”) is a term for a variety of specific types of counseling.
While there are differences between counseling and therapy, they overlap, and the terms are often used interchangeably.
Types of relationship counseling include family counseling, couples counseling, premarital counseling, and marriage counseling.
Counseling tends to be shorter term and has a set end date. Therapy tends to be longer term and may be ongoing, without a set end date. Counseling is more likely to involve guidance and education for relationship matters. Therapy is more likely to involve treatment of a mental health condition of one or more members of the relationship.
Family Counseling
Family counseling is a type of relationship counseling that involves support for relationship challenges and topics provided to two or more family members by a mental health professional. Family members may include the whole family, the parents only, the parents and a child, siblings, or any combination of family members.
The type of support provided in family counseling may include:
Emotional supportSkills training, such as healthy communication, boundary setting, and coping skillsPractical guidance and educationA safe environment to communicate and work through challenges
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling is a type of counseling that provides guidance, advice, and support for intimate partners. Marriage counseling and premarital counseling are specific types of couples counseling. However, couples do not have to be married or considering marriage to go to couples counseling.
Couples counseling can help intimate partners with:
Communication skillsConflict prevention and resolutionFuture planning and relationship goalsChallenges that impact the relationship
Premarital Counseling
Premarital counseling is support provided by a mental health professional to a couple considering or planning to get married. It may include guidance and education.
This type of relationship counseling has many benefits, including:
Improved communication, conflict management, and coping skillsPreparation for life as a married couplePrevention of future conflicts
Marriage Counseling
Marriage counseling is guidance, advice, and support for married couples provided by a mental health professional. It is focused on issues that impact the relationship, ranging from differences in personalities to family planning to money management. Counseling providers may meet with both partners together and each partner separately.
Marriage counseling may be helpful for challenges such as:
Communication struggles, conflicts, or disagreementsLife challenges that impact the relationshipLoyalty or trust issuesParentingPhysical or mental health conditions that impact the relationshipSexual or intimacy problems
Who Needs It?
Relationship counseling can be for anyone facing relationship challenges or wanting support in strengthening a relationship. It can also be used as prevention to learn communication methods and other skills to avoid conflict. For example, people anticipating a challenge or transition such as retirement or children leaving home may benefit from preventive relationship counseling.
Reasons to consider relationship counseling include:
Wanting to strengthen a relationship Facing a challenge in a relationship Considering a change in relationship status (marriage, separation, or divorce) Wanting to improve the ability to parent children together
How It Works
Relationship counseling is a communication-based method that addresses issues between two or more people to improve their interactions and build more healthy relationship dynamics. This means it involves conversations between the people receiving the counseling and the mental health professional providing the counseling. After talking, the provider can determine what else may be needed, such as education or skills training.
People who parent children togetherParents and their childrenWhole familiesSiblingsAny combination of two or more family membersTwo or more friends
Efficacy
Each person, relationship, and situation is different. The success rate of relationship counseling depends on the specific type of counseling, the people in the relationship, and what is needed. Even so, different techniques and types of counseling have been evaluated for effectiveness.
Here are some statistics of the efficacy of relationship counseling:
Premarital counseling has been shown to increase the success rate of marriages by 30% for couples considering or planning marriage. Emotionally focused therapy, also called EFT, is a commonly used method in relationship counseling that has been shown 70%–75% effective. About 90% of people who receive marriage and family therapy find that it improves their emotional health. About 75% of parents who go to counseling for a child notice improved behavior in their child.
What to Expect
What to expect at relationship counseling depends on the people receiving the counseling, the provider, the type of counseling, and what is needed. It is generally short term, with a set number of sessions. For example, emotionally focused therapy is generally eight to 20 sessions. Premarital counseling tends to be shorter, with five to seven sessions.
Online vs. In-Person Therapy
Virtual or online treatment options have become more available and common because of advancements in technology. Online relationship counseling may be more convenient, comfortable, and practical for those who find it challenging to have sessions at an office. However, some may find it less personal or struggle with technology.
It can even be used proactively to prevent conflicts. For example, premarital counseling is intended for romantic couples planning to get married so they can learn how to prevent conflict and resolve disagreements quickly and effectively when they do arise.
The decision between online or in-person sessions is a preference. It depends on the people receiving the counseling and what works best for them.
Finding a Counselor
Relationship counseling providers can be found by asking friends and family members for recommendations, getting referrals from medical providers, and checking with insurance companies for a list of providers covered by your plan.
Some providers may be available virtually, in person, or both. It is also important for the people receiving the counseling to feel comfortable with the provider.
Summary
Relationship counseling is counseling for two or more people who have a relationship together that is conducted by a mental health professional. Some examples include couples counseling, marriage counseling, premarital counseling, and family counseling. It can be used to address issues or challenges that impact the relationship, learn skills such as better communication, or prevent future conflict.
A Word From Verywell
Relationships come with challenges, and no matter how strong and healthy the relationship, conflicts can arise. If you or someone you know is facing relationship challenges or wants to strengthen a relationship, counseling may help. Reach out to a mental health professional such as a counselor, therapist, or psychologist for support.
