Counseling is a valuable tool that can help people understand themselves and the people closest to them. Relationship counseling is specifically designed to help couples work on their relationship with each other. Here are some facts about relationship counseling that can help clients understand what to expect:

1. You will be encouraged to speak neutrally about your problems

People often go to relationship counseling in order to address problems in their relationships. It's likely that you have many emotions about your relationship difficulties, especially if these challenges have simmered for a while. However, it's important that you discuss the problems in your relationship calmly and neutrally. Blaming your partner or accusing them is unlikely to result in positive change. Your relationship counselor will guide each session, reminding you and your partner to work together to solve the issues you face.

2. You may be referred to individual counselors if your therapist thinks it is for the best

Relationship therapists can help people in many different situations. Even if your relationship is very rocky, it's likely that a therapist can help. However, there are a few circumstances where relationship counseling is not recommended. If you or your partner are abusive, relationship counseling may do more harm than good. If your therapist discovers that this is the case, they may refer you to individual counselors to sort out your issues instead.

3. You don't have to stay together

It's true that most couples who seek counseling do so because they want to fix their relationship and stay together. However, through your counseling sessions, you or your partner may decide that continuing the relationship is not in your best interest. Fortunately, relationship therapists can also help patients through the tricky and often emotional process of deciding to end a relationship.

4. You may occasionally have individual sessions with your relationship therapist

Couples who attend relationship therapy may choose to attend individual therapy with another therapist. In general, relationship counselors don't provide ongoing individual care to patients they see for couples therapy in order to avoid biasing themselves toward one member of the couple. However, occasional individual sessions scheduled for a specific goal can be beneficial to the overall practice of relationship counseling. The opportunity to share things privately with your therapist without your partner present can allow you to speak freely, broaching topics that may be hard to discuss in front of your significant other.