Marital counseling services are on the rise, and for a good reason. With divorce rates at a staggering 50%, many people recognize the importance of investing in their marriage. However, it can be challenging to decide which one is best for you and your spouse, with many options. To help identify some of the top features that should be considered when looking into this service, here are the features to consider before making your decision.
Duration of Services
Another feature that’s important in any therapy or counseling situation is whether it will be long-term or short-term. Often, couples see a counselor for an initial consultation and then decide they don’t need to come back. But the truth is that you might need to see the same counselor more than once to better communicate with each other. So if you decide that your family is ready for marital counseling, think about how long you’re going to commit to seeing them regularly and how much it will cost. And maybe even look into whether there are any financial incentives or discounts involved if you want to stick around for a while!
Type of Counseling Available
Another important feature in searching for marriage counseling services is the type of counseling offered. There are so many different types of couples counseling: individual, couple, marital, or family. Therefore, if you’re unsure what your family is struggling with, look at some of the different types of counseling available and see which one you and your family might benefit from.
Specialties Provided
While it’s important to note the type of counseling available at a particular service, it’s also important to note what specialties they offer in marital counseling. For instance, if you and your spouse have incredibly different personalities and you’re looking for an expert who can understand both of you (instead of just one), this might be a good fit for your family. Likewise, if you’re experiencing depression or anxiety, it’s good to know that a particular marriage counselor is experienced with that issue. So before checking out a counselor, ask what they specialize in and make sure they’re good at diagnosing and treating problems related to your marital counseling issue(s).
Counselor Training
Another vital part of looking for marital counseling services is whether or not there’s a certain level of education associated with the therapist. Some therapists do not have the proper training or education needed to help with anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. So if you’re looking for a therapist that can help with these types of problems, make sure their training is up-to-date or extensive.
Look for a therapist that is both licensed and bonded.
When deciding on which counselor you want, it’s also essential to look into whether or not they’re licensed and bonded. Most people are unaware of this, but when you choose a counselor with these features, you’re more likely to be protected if something goes wrong during your sessions. If your therapist does not have these features and you choose to work with them anyway, it’s likely that if anything goes wrong, you won’t be able to seek legal action against them.
If you or your partner are contemplating marriage, the decision to employ marital counseling can be difficult. The initial expense of the consultation and possible follow-up sessions may detract from the budget. On top of this, some people wonder if divorce is more likely to occur when one spouse goes for counseling support. If you would like to minimize these risks and make sure your marriage not only survives but thrives, consider the above essential features that all successful therapeutic services have in common
