Making the decision to proceed with a divorce is a huge step in your life and in the lives of your spouse and children. Last summer we published a blog entitled “Leading Cause of Divorce” in which we outlined some of the more common reasons that lead couples to this decision. It is not surprising that near the top of the list is lack of effective communication between the parties. We noted, in that regard, that communication is, for most of us, the foundation of the relationship. Which naturally leads to the issue of how to improve communication when divorce looms on the horizon.

If view of these facts, the question naturally arises as to whether, prior to proceeding with a divorce, a couple might benefit from marriage counseling. Our conclusion is that the effort is certainly worth it.

Reasons Why Therapy May Help

Successful couples therapy assumes, of course, that both parties are willing to participate. And by successful, we do not necessarily mean that therapy will solve all problems or, for that matter, prevent a divorce. But at the very least, it will allow you and your partner to have a better understanding of the problem(s) and make a reasoned decision on how to proceed.

Therapy can assist a couple on a variety of matters, including gaining a better understand of what the real problems are. The following are some of the more common difficulties couples experience in their relationship:

• You’ve “grown apart.”
• Money issues.
• Constant arguments.
• A lackluster sex life.

Of course, therapy is not a panacea, and in some cases, will may not prevent a divorce from happening, even when both parties are well-intentioned. But whether or not counseling can rebuild a marriage, there are still significant benefits that can emerge from the process.

Benefits of Marriage Counseling

Probably the most significant aspect of marriage counseling is that it can, and often does, teach the parties how better to communicate with each other. This aspect alone can assist in overcoming many of the key issues that lead a couple to consider divorce in the first place. Marriage counseling can help in a number of ways. These include:

• Determining whether divorce is the correct choice.
• Learning to communicate effectively with each other.
• Reducing the stress on your children.
• Saving money.

As noted above, therapy may lead to a reconciliation and happier life for everyone in the family. As a side (but important) benefit, no divorce means a large saving of money. But obviously there are cases where no amount of therapy will “save” a marriage. Our experience is that even in the cases where the marriage is irretrievably broken, therapy can still be helpful by (a) crystalizing the issues, (b) reducing needless bickering during the divorce negotiations, and (c) effectively streamlining the divorce, again saving money in the process.

If you have questions or concerns about divorce or any related issues in the greater Houston area, contact us at 713-225-0094.

Law Office of Mary Quinn
106 Avondale St.
Houston, TX 77006
713-225-0094