How Important is a Family Counselor?

When couples decide to take part in marriage and family counseling, they should choose their counselor carefully. It is not a decision to be taken lightly, as the person counseling marriage will have a great effect on the outcome of their relationship. First, couples should decide which type of counseling services would work best for them. Next, couples should find list of marriage counselors that offer those specific services and they should research each counselor that appeals to them.

They should be certain that the individual has taken part in marriage counseling training. In general there are many benefits of family and marriage counseling. Marriages often involve a lot of work by both spouses and counseling can help each individual become better equipped to handle difficulties as they arise. In fact marriage counseling training involves many techniques in conflict resolution, and techniques for open and honest discussion. Marriage counseling training also helps counselors to provide that knowledge to couples in an effective and constructive way.


When individuals take part in counseling marriages, they should be easy to get along with and have an understanding and calming attitude. In addition, any individual taking part in counseling marriage, should be flexible so that they can offer couples the best and most appropriate service.

Counselors should be aware that each couples problems will require a unique approach and they should be open to trying new problem solving techniques. In some cases, counselors and their patients, disagree strongly on the best course of action. If the counselor is not willing to be flexible in offering the couples the opportunity to try it their way, they may want to seek the advice of a new counselor. That is not to say that they should leave every counselor that says something they are not happy with. In fact, counselors are likely to bring up ideas that individuals are not comfortable with, but that is part of the process.


Generally, anyone that takes part in counseling marriages, has taken part in specific and intense marriage counseling training. However, that does not mean that every couple can be helped be every counselor. Couples need to be sure that they are both comfortable with their counselor. In addition, neither spouse should feel attacked or that the counselor is siding with the other spouse on all issues.

In marriage counseling training, counselors should have learned to provide couples with equal access to advice and support. In no case, should counselors take part in placing blame for failures in the marriage. In fact, the counselor's role is to provide couples with the tools necessary to avoid conflict. At no time should either spouse be made to feel guilty about the state of the relationship. Instead spouses should be taught ways to avoid repeating similar situations and conflicts that have proven difficult for the couple.