Marriage Counselling in Matrimonial Disputes

Marriage counseling, also known as couple therapy, helps the couple to overcome their immediate problems, resolve conflict and improve their relationship. It also equips them to meet future issues. Through counseling, a couple can get better insight into their deteriorating relationship, identify the crucial factors behind their differences and make a rational decision rather than choosing the ultimate separate ways.

Marriage counseling can be availed to address many specific issues like: -

1. Communication problems 2. Financial difficulties 3. Conflicts about child rearing 4. Sexual difficulties 5. Infidelity 6. Family issues

Marriage counseling brings couples together for joint therapy sessions. However, this does not guarantee that talking about the problems to a marriage counselor would be easy. Sessions might pass in silence or the couple might bring their fight with them. The marriage therapist acts as a mediator or referee and helps cope with the resulting emotions and turmoil.

Types of Marriage Counselling

There are two types of marriage counseling:

1. Pre-marital Counselling: - It is a form of counselling which is a key step for couples before marriage. It involves discussing important aspects of life, such as finances, beliefs, values, religion, roles in marriage, and relationships with family and children. This counselling helps detect and resolve potential conflicts, ultimately building a strong foundation for the marriage.

2. Post-Marriage Counselling: - It is a form of counselling specifically designed for couples who are already married or have tied the knot. This type of counselling offers couples the flexibility to seek guidance and support at any point during their marriage when they encounter challenges. In the context of married life, real-life circumstances can lead to conflicts and differences between partners, stemming from their unique perspectives, emotions, and communication styles. When disagreements become persistent and couples are unwilling to resolve them, post-marriage counselling steps in to address these issues through sessions led by experienced professionals.

Types of Marriage Counselling Therapy

Professional counselling sessions employ a range of therapeutic techniques to assist couples. These sessions typically begin with a counsellor's analysis and examination of the couple using a predefined set of questions designed to identify areas of concern. Subsequently, the counsellor tailors the therapy sessions based on the couple's responses.

1. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Couples therapy focuses on improving communication to help couples openly express their emotions and share suppressed feelings, promoting a stronger connection.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT connects thoughts and behaviours. Therapists guide individuals to manage their thoughts and prevent them from affecting their actions, emphasizing thought reversal.

3. Positive Psychology Technique for Relationship Rekindling: Rekindling dwindled relationships is often achieved through the application of Positive Psychology techniques. This method involves revisiting the cherished and uplifting memories that a couple shared during the early phases of their marriage. By doing so, couples can effectively reignite their emotional connection and rejuvenate their bond.

4. Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT): It is a therapeutic approach designed for couples facing complex problems. It encourages them to concentrate on finding practical solutions instead of extensively analyzing the underlying causes of their issues. In this therapy, the therapist guides the couple towards problem-solving and effective resolutions.

The Role of a Marriage Therapist

Marriage counseling is provided by a licensed therapist known as a marriage and family therapist. While dealing with matrimonial disputes, counselors develop their own scientific support system through good listening skills and generally do not give their own assumptions and notions while counseling.

Marriage counseling sessions are specific for individual cases since it involves unique issues and expectations. The counselor has different goals at a different levels of functioning. In some cases, a marriage counseling session could be for a short duration, depending on if the issue is not very serious like ego differences between a couple. And in some, it may extend to weeks or months. However, in matters relating to physical abuse and torture, no attempt at counseling and mediation should be made and a & lsquo Domestic Information report' must be filed.

Importance of Marriage Counselling

• A counselor analyzes behavioural patterns and identifies conflict triggers.

• The counselor mediates to foster a healthy relationship and improve communication between couples.

• Effective communication helps resolve issues and conflicts among couples.

• It's important to accept differences and have realistic expectations rather than creating an idealized image.

• Couples are given assignments and role models by the counselor to work on their issues, promoting lasting change.

Benefits Of Marriage Counseling?

1. Strengthens the relationship by understanding couple's goals, growth, and individual freedom.

2. Resolves personal and interpersonal issues.

3. Improves communication, reducing conflicts and arguments.

4. Supports overcoming fear, stress, depression, and other psychological and social problems.

5. Enhances emotional and physical intimacy.

6. Provides guidance on recognizing when to leave a toxic or disrespectful relationship.

7. Acts as a valuable expert to help save marriages from divorce.

What is the cost of Marriage Counselling?

Marriage counseling costs vary based on factors like the counselor's experience, the number of sessions needed, and their pricing structure. Experienced counselors often charge more. More sessions lead to a higher total cost. Pricing methods can vary (per session, per hour, or package deals). Typically, expect to pay Rs.5,700 to Rs.12,350 per session.

Consult: Top Divorce Lawyers in India

Why you may Need a Lawyer?

Rights and laws related to marriages in India can be confusing. In order to get clarity, you can approach a family lawyer. If you have been wronged by your husband regarding your rights or property, you can seek legal remedies. You must even approach a lawyer if you are thinking of divorce. A good family lawyer will help you in your legal proceedings at every step of the way. A lawyer will help and guide you in the right direction after understanding the specific facts and circumstances of your case. He/She will draft the required suit/documents/legal notices, will devise the best method you need to undertake in order to get justice, and will also represent you in the courts if need be. Thus, hiring a family lawyer will help you in more ways than one. You can also use LawRato's Ask a Free Question service to get free advice on your legal issue from expert lawyers.

Advocate Chikirsha Mohanty

4.0 | 2+ user ratings Greater Kailash - 1, Delhi
5 years

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