Marital Counseling

The focus of marital counseling is the marital relationship, rather than the individual partners. Marital assessment is an evaluation of the relationship: strengths, weaknesses, interactions, satisfactions, and conflicts. Focus on the marital relationship allays anxiety and diffuses hostility and defensiveness. It allows both counselor and patient to view the relationship as a joint project in which they are engaged. This article examines the marriage relationship, causes of marital conflict, and the key ingredients of a healthy marriage. A five-step guide to counseling concerns will provide the framework for a discussion of effective counseling skills.