Divorce is often referred to as an “epidemic” in the United States. Certainly, divorce rates in this country are high compared to those in other nations. Right now, it’s estimated that 40% to 50% of first marriages end in divorce and 60% of second marriages end in divorce. Ultimately, this ends up equaling in a divorce every 36 seconds, 2,400 divorces per day, 16,800 divorces per week, and 876,000 divorces per year. Now, this isn’t to say that a divorce is some massive failure. Sometimes, divorce is the best option for everyone involved. Furthermore, the reality is that the rise in divorce rates probably has less to do with people needing divorce more than they once did than it does with people feeling more like it’s socially acceptable to get divorced than they once did. Divorce isn’t something you should feel ashamed of. But you also shouldn’t feel as if it’s your only option should the marriage have some hope of being saved. Family counselors today offer marriage advice to couples facing the darkest periods of their life — or for that matter, simply rough times. Even if the marriage doesn’t work out, they can in turn offer family counseling techniques that help families get through divorce together. Below, we’ll look into some of the advantages of couples counseling and family counseling, versus not going to couples counseling at all or visiting a psychiatrist.
Counseling Versus A Psychiatrist
So, what are some of the advantages of visiting a therapist for counseling versus visiting a psychiatrist? For one thing, the two offer very different approaches. In some cases, a psychiatrist is needed. But a psychiatrist’s approach is more medical. There will be less talk therapy and couples counseling exercises with a psychiatrist, and more of a discussion of mental illness and possible medications that could help treat this illness. A psychiatrist is also unlikely to deal with couples counseling quesitons. While in some cases a member of the family is afflicted with an illness that could use medical treatment, this isn’t always the case. Furthermore, a psychiatrist’s services tend to be much more expensive than that of a counselor’s. On average, you will typically send 20% to 40% less on therapy and counseling than you would had you opted to work with a psychiatrist or psychologist.
What To Expect From Couples Counseling
Every aspect of couples counseling — from couples counseling quesitons to the counselor his or herself — is individual to the couple themselves. You may want to come prepared with couples counseling quesitons to discuss with the counselor. Talk about your cautions and fears regarding counseling, and whether or not you even believe it will work. The counselor will guide you through other couples counseling quesitons that might be on your mind. This will be an emotional process, and certainly it doesn’t always end with a couple deciding to be together. The counselor’s goal is to ensure that everyone involved has the outcome they need, even if it isn’t the outcome they thought they wanted. Often, couples do choose to stay together after counseling — and if they don’t, they can rest assured knowing they tried everything.
Couples Counseling Results
Again, the results of couples counseling are varied. With that being said, one thing the results typically have in common is that people feel glad that they did it. Following work with a counselor or therapist, 93% of couples reported that they had more effective tools for dealing with their issues. 98% of couples counseling recipients responded to a survey reporting that they received good or excellent therapy, and 97% reported that they got the help they needed. Finally, it’s estimated that at the end of couple’s therapy, 75% of couples are better off than those similar to them who did not receive therapy. At the end of the day, couples counseling could be what saves your marriage — and if that’s the case, why not give it a try?
