Can marriage counselling be effective?

By Kirunis Dulei

Did you know the average divorce rate in America is about 50% which ultimately means one in every two couples will divorce? This rate increases dramatically with second and third marriages. Now, when does a marriage get to the point when you need marriage counselling? Is it when you're about to strangle each other to death, is it when you don't even look at each other anymore, is it when you don't even say a word to one another, is it when you shriek when your other half touches you or could it even be all or some of these situations combined.

Research shows the longer you wait the less likely marriage counselling will be effective in your relationship. One thing you also have to keep in mind, is that you are willing to change, you must both want to try to make the marriage work, if not then you are wasting each others' time and money. I see a marriage counselor as being more of a mediator. The person that states, well you're wrong and he is right or she made a mistake and you should try to forgive, type of deal.

The outside perspective of your marriage, in some cases this may ease your mind in getting a professional opinion; just as if you were to see an accountant to make sure your accounts are in good standing, it gives you the security you seek and erases the doubt you have in your mind. I strongly believe marriage counseling only helps if both parties are open-minded and want to change to make the marriage work. Earlier, I spoke of the average divorce rate being about 50%; well this same rate also applies to the success rate of marriage counseling. That being said, yes, I believe marriage counselling is effective if you both want your marriage to work. Now all you have to do is figure out if you do.