In our marriage counseling Houston-area practice, the following is a generalized scenario our couples regularly articulate as a common experience that preceded their decision to commit to marriage and family therapy:

Dirk finished the last of his paperwork when he heard Dee climb into bed and flip off the light. “Oh grief,” he thought. “I didn’t notice how late it was and she will be ticked. Again.” He pushed his chair back from his desk and headed on to their bedroom.

“Honey?” he asked, realizing it was probably too late but he should try anyway, “you asleep yet?”

“Let’s see,” Dee began, her stomach already aching from the knots twisting away at her guts, “I’ve managed two carpools today, three doctor’s appointments, and cooked dinner for five, so I’m a little tired. Why? Do you need something?”

“Nothing, Nothing. Just hoping that maybe you missed me.” Dirk feared he was not hiding his rising frustration very well. For the past while Dee had been doing everything for just about everyone. Everyone, that is, except him.

“Miss you?” Dee flew out from under the covers and turned on the light. “I never even see you anymore! The children live for the weekends with you, but I don’t even have that!”

Dick thought, “Here we go with the ‘you work too much, ‘ and ‘you never have some time for me. ‘ Well what could he do? Not be the income earner? He was tired and these discussions never ended up anywhere anyway. Angrily he closed the door and returned to his office and logged back onto his computer.

What can this couple do to save their marriage? Their family? Is this a situation that calls for this couple to think about participation in marriage and family counseling programs, and let’s be real, does marriage counseling work?

Marriage and family therapy programs are core mental health specialization programs. Marriage and family consultants provide couples and families with the help they need to sort through troublesome life cycle stages, and make positive changes to the way in which they communicate with one to the other. If treatment would possibly be a good fit for you, schedule a consultation appointment. With tenacious interest in strengthening the marriage, and help from your counselor, you’ll see the changes you have always been waiting for.

Dr. Kate Walker, Ph.D. Is the owner and CEO of achievebalance.org, located in The Woodlands, TX. To reply to the question, “Does marriage counseling work?” she shares a typical scenario that she often hears in her marriage counseling Houston-area office where she’s a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor.