Marriage counselling
Marriage counselling or marriage guidance counselling as it is sometimes known, is a form of relationship counselling.
The focus of marriage counselling is to improve communication between spouses and address specific issues that are causing relationship problems.
On this page you can find out more information about marriage counselling, including:
- How marriage counselling can help your relationship
- What to expect from marriage counselling
- Professional standards
- Our ethos of marriage counselling for all
- How to book a counselling appointment
- Resources and useful links
Unlike individual counselling, this form of talking therapy sees a marriage counsellor work with both partners in the relationship.
How marriage counselling can help your relationship
Marriage counselling aims to provide couples with the chance to examine in depth the relationship issues that are causing problems.
Communication issues, major life events and the general challenges of maintaining a happy marriage are common reasons for couples to seek marriage therapy.
Why try marriage counselling?
The motivations to try counselling are specific to each relationship however there are a number of common issues:
- Communication problems
- Trust, jealousy and infidelity issues within marriage
- Major life events like starting a family, infertility, bereavement and redundancy
- Financial issues
- Parenting challenges
- Family conflict
- Losing your connection as a couple/ falling out of love with each other.
Counselling focuses on establishing a safe, non-judgemental space where a couple can talk openly about the issues troubling them.
In counselling all perspectives are valid and by working with an impartial, supportive counsellor couples can begin to explore and understand their own feelings and emotions.
Make a counselling enquiry online or freephone 0800 802 0050.
Counselling is not just for relationships in crisis
Marriage counselling is not exclusively for marriage breakdown or relationships in crisis. Married couples are increasingly using therapy as a way to guard against relationship issues escalating.
At The Spark we highly recommend addressing issues in any marriage early before they become major problems.
If you are interested in marriage counselling complete a counselling enquiry online or freephone 0800 802 0050 for more information.
Search for your local counselling centre.
What to expect from marriage counselling
A popular misconception is that marriage counselling involves a counsellor advising a couple on what to do and how to ‘fix’ their marriage problems.
A marriage counsellor will never judge your circumstances or dictate how to progress your relationship.
Marriage therapy is a process where an impartial counsellor will help to facilitate communication and guide a couple to their own conclusions.
Make a counselling enquiry online or freephone 0800 802 0050.
The more you put in, the more you get out
Taking your marriage through counselling might require ‘work’ to be done outside of counselling sessions.
It will be unique to each couple but often involves setting aside time for each other, changing existing patterns of behaviour or discussing specific topics. The success of marriage counselling is greatly influenced by the effort invested by both partners.
Make a counselling enquiry online, find your local counselling centre or freephone 0800 802 0050 for more information.
Marriage counselling for all
Counselling for married couples with The Spark is available to couples living in Scotland. Irrespective of your or your partner’s gender, the length of your marriage, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religion our marriage counsellors are available to help.
Professional and clincal excellence assured
We are proud to be a receipient of the COSCA Recognition Scheme Award for Organisations undertaking Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland.
This award reflects our commitment to professional and clinical excellence in our counselling services.
All of our counsellors have been trained to diploma level with many having advanced qualifications in specific modalities of marriage counselling.
Every counsellor working for The Spark is an accredited member of one or more professional bodies including BACP, COSCA and OTI. Thus assuring clients of the highest professional and clinical standards.
Enquire about marriage counselling
Complete the online enquiry form below or freephone our team on 0808 802 0050.
Marriage resources and links
You might feel that marriage therapy is not something you are ready for just yet.
We can still help you work towards a better marriage with our range of free resources and relationship tools. Resources include:
- Relationship MOT – an anonymous online relationship health check app
- The Relationship Helpline – free telephone and online relationship support
- The Spark Blog – articles and advice on coping with life’s challenges
- Free resources – guides, tips and advice on how to make your relationship work
- Songs for Sound Minds – our selection of music for good mental health
- Social media – follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates, articles, tips and advice.
Find out more about relationship counselling and The Spark Counselling.