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Marriage Counseling / Couples Therapy (Singapore and Online)

Whether you are having problems in your relationship or you would just like to understand your spouse better, talking to a professional marriage counselor can make a real difference. Marriage counseling sessions can also be helpful if you are looking to transition peacefully out of a marital relationship.

What is Marriage Counseling?

Marriage counseling, also known as couples counseling or relationship counseling, involves both partners in a romantic relationship working together with a therapist. This type of therapy can help improve communication skills, boost mental wellness and self-esteem, and foster a deeper emotional connection and mutual understanding between partners.


Although there was once a stigma around relationship counseling, this has significantly decreased in recent years. Many now recognize that even the most loving couples can face challenges, and seeking help is a positive step. You don't have to be married to attend couples counseling—many clients are not. The only requirements are being in a relationship and having a genuine desire to improve it.

Marraige Counseling

Why Do People Go to Marriage Counseling?

1. Wanting to be better

Far from being a death-knell to a relationship, going to counseling with your spouse can be a very positive sign, as it shows focus and willingness to strengthen the marriage. You and your partner may be attending counseling sessions together to learn how to better show your support, care, and love for each other.

2. Communication issues

Communication problems can lead to hurt emotions and conflicts between partners in a relationship. Often, differences in communication styles play a role. For example, one partner may not like to talk as much as the other, or may feel they lack the skills to properly communicate their concerns and needs.

3. Mental health concerns

If one or both partners in a relationship is affected by mental health issues - for example, depression, stress, or OCD - then this will likely also affect their families, jobs, and other aspects of their lives. You may wish to get guidance from a professional therapist on how to support the mental well-being of your partner.

4. Dealing with change

Big life changes can sometimes lead to big conflicts for couples and families. Even positive or exciting life transitions can pose challenges. For example, you and your spouse may find yourselves under strain as you navigate the upheaval of welcoming a child, moving house or country, or starting a new job or business.

5. Intimacy Problems

Loss of sexual intimacy in a marriage can happen to couples in any stage of life, sometimes seemingly without warning. It may also be a source of tension if you have a higher sexual drive than your partner, or vice versa. Both are common concerns that can lead you to seek the services of a professional counselor.

6. Family-related issues

You and your spouse may have different views on subjects such as parenting styles, division of parenting responsibilities, and dealing with demanding in-laws. Therapy sessions can be a place to engage in constructive communication about these differences, with your counselor providing an impartial mediation service.

7. Infidelity

Infidelity is one of the toughest emotional challenges that couples and their families can face. Counseling sessions when a spouse has been unfaithful can be difficult and painful. However, therapy may help both parties to talk through and heal from the trauma of betrayal, and focus on renewed hope for their future together.

8. Growing apart

You may still care deeply for your partner and their well-being, but no longer feel the same level of romantic love and emotional intimacy that drew you to them at the beginning of your relationship. One or both of you may no longer feel valued by the other spouse, or believe that your relationship has lost meaning.

9. Considering divorce

Things may have deteriorated to the point that you and your spouse hold a negative attitude toward your relationship and/or each other. Yet you may choose to seek out the services of a marriage therapist instead of those of a divorce lawyer, because you hope that with professional support the relationship may be saved.

What to Expect From Couples Counseling?

For most couples, relationship counseling will not require a long-term commitment. The majority of our clients achieve successful outcomes in around twelve weeks of one counseling session per week, and often report significant improvement in the relationship dynamic within the first few sessions.


At your first session, your counselor will ask you and your partner questions about yourselves and your marriage. For instance: where did you meet, how long have you been together, why did you get together, what brought you to seek therapy services, and what are your relationship goals.


The primary focus of this initial couples counseling session is not to assign blame, but to establish a safe place for both parties. Your therapist will work together with you and your spouse to create an environment where each person can talk honestly, process emotions, and work through any areas of concern.

As you attend subsequent sessions, you and your partner will continue to gain insight and understanding into the other's needs, wants, and values. At the end of each session, your counselor may give both you and your spouse some homework exercises to complete before the next session.


Some of the work you will do in relationship therapy may be difficult, confrontational, or scary. For optimal results, you need to be willing to have an open mind, be engaged and present during the counseling process, change some of your existing thought and behavioral patterns, and undergo active self-reflection and self improvement. Doing these things is not always easy or comfortable. 


However, the hard work you put in is likely to pay off in the form of a stronger and healthier marriage. According to multiple studies, the majority of couples who have attended relationship therapy together are happier for having done so.

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