Couples are not always on the same page regarding the status of their relationship. One person may be feeling content, while the other is feeling desperately unhappy. One person wants to keep things as they are, the other may be considering divorce. It is not uncommon for a couple coming into therapy to have different agendas. Couples therapy offers you the time and space to express yourselves in a safe and non-judgemental atmosphere. Work done in therapy offers opportunities to change your perceptions and agendas, or validate your initial leanings.
When a couple decides to end their marriage and they have children, I offer divorce counseling to assist the couple in helping their children through what can be a difficult and emotional transition. Engaging in therapy before any separation takes place is important so that the process can be managed in a way that makes the emotional needs of the children a priority.
Additionally, the couple themselves may need help in making the change from partners to a single status. Identifying healthy, comfortable, and new ways to relate with one another can be valuable in moving forward toward the next chapter in life.