Does couples counseling ever strengthen marriages?

[Anonymous]

We did two different conselors and it made things worse. What did work is that I went to individual and figured out why I was putting up with that crap and learning strategies to figure out what I wanted, how to set up safe boundaries and being ready to follow up if he did not respect them. After a year, I am so much stronger, and happier and my husband and I are much happier too.

One of the thing I realized in my therapy is that husband had to stop drinking, and he had to go for pysch eval and keep up with treatment. Or I was gone. I was newly strong from the therapy and he knew I meant it. He stopped drinking and he got help for his issue and he remains stable on medication. Not sure if your situation is a dire as mine but please please put yourself and your kids first and the rest will work out.

Another side benefit, I started feeling so good that I actually lost the 40 extra pounds I had gained. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

For those of you who had good experiences, I would appreciate recs for specific counselors in the DC area! (I'm in NoVA but I'm sure others would as well.)

[Anonymous]

http://youtu.be/WRexU1FqPkA

Best. Scene. Ever.

[Anonymous]

Best. Scene. Ever.

[Anonymous]

I didn't read the comments, but statistically speaking, many couples wait to go to counseling till the very end, and hence, it's never effective. I think the number is 80% of couples who sought therapy, sought it when their relationship was beyond repair and didn't stay in it long.

I think it's important to make sure you do it, early, and consciously, as a safe zone for better communication not for airing grievances.