Couple and Marital Counseling

Heather M. Helm

Couple and marital counseling helps couples, married or not, identify problems, manage difficulties, and ultimately improve their relationship. The intensity of an intimate relationship makes it one of the most important relationships one encounters in life. Because couple and marital counseling deals with two people and the dynamics that exist in their relationship, the counseling is more intense and at times more complicated than work with individuals. Previously referred to as marital counseling , the term was limiting, as it did not include nonmarried cohabiting couples or committed same-sex couples. Subsequently the term couple counseling is often used to more broadly encompass any intimate, committed couple. This entry provides an overview of the history of couple and marital counseling, approaches to couple and marital counseling, common issues in couple and marital counseling, and challenges often encountered in doing couple and marital counseling. As a distinct professional counseling service, couple and ...

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