Your marriage is falling apart, and you and your spouse are at a standstill with repairing it. Maybe your arguments go around in circles, or perhaps one of you refuses to change. Before you sign the divorce papers, one way you can save your marriage is through couples counseling.
A good marriage counselor or therapist can take a marriage that is falling apart and make it good as new. Couples that were on the verge of imploding have found new life in their marriage thanks to counselors.
However, counseling is an investment. A session can cost, on average, in the $100 ballpark, and you need more than one session to have a successful marriage.
When you’re strapped for cash or don’t want to spend any money, can you find free counseling?
It is Possible
There are some ways to find free counseling for couples, but the options are a little limited. Let’s discuss a few of them.
Online Counseling
Online counseling is becoming more popular, especially for couples that have problems with scheduling a session together or for couples who want to save money. With online counseling, your options are a little more limited. Free online counseling from a licensed professional can cost you, and most online counseling websites that are worth it don’t accept insurance. Here are some ways to find free online counseling.
- Many websites will offer a free trial. Usually, it’s not for too long, just a week or two. However, if you need immediate help, the free trial is enough to get the ball rolling. It’s great if you’re in the middle of an argument and needs a resolution, or to learn a quick coping mechanism.
- While not professional counselors, some people will turn to relationship forums or chats to talk about their issues. These are good places to connect with couples who may be having the same problems as you. However, the people you talk to aren’t professionals, and you may find advice that isn’t too good.
Depending on your situation, some people may say to break up, while a counselor can find ways to save the marriage.
That’s about it for finding online marriage counseling.
In-Person
Luckily, finding free marriage counseling in-person is easier, but it’s still a challenge. Here are some ways you can get free counseling.
Insurance
Check your insurance. There’s a chance you may be able to have therapy covered over your insurance plan, even if your spouse doesn’t have it or has a different plan. Obviously, you do have to talk to your insurance provider and the therapy firm you’re interested in in order to make sure you’re covered. You may not have to pay anything, or at the least, pay a little.
Pro Bono
Some counselors offer pro bono, or for the public good, counseling. This means you pay nothing, and they provide these services as a service for the public. The problem with pro bono is that slots fill up fast, and you may have a hard time finding it. But it is possible.
Religious Counseling
If you or your partner are religious, you can find pastors and other figureheads who can offer counseling from the perspective of your faith. The theme of staying together is important in any faith, and religious counseling can help you find ways to stick to your marriage all while implementing techniques to solve any problems you’re facing.
Sliding Scale
This isn’t free, but it is low-cost. Some therapists and counselors use sliding scale payments. This is when you pay what you can afford. You show the therapist proof of income, and then the therapist will charge a fair amount for their sessions.
Is Couples Therapy Even Effective?
The answer is yes! Couples therapy can be quite effective in helping you and your spouse get the help you need. Here are some ways a therapist or counselor helps you:
- They help to identify toxic behaviors used when arguing. For example, if the two of you are always yelling and accusing each other, the therapist can teach you how to control your voice and be able to express yourself without hurting the other person.
- If there was an incident in the past, a therapist can teach how to forgive and move on from it. Something big, such as infidelity, can be hard to move on from, but the therapist can teach both parties coping techniques and patience.
- A therapist provides a safe way for couples to express how they feel. Without a middle person, it’s hard to talk about certain issues because you’re afraid of how the other person will react. Therapy makes it easier to speak your mind.
- Therapists will teach meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy, two techniques that can change how one behaves and how they cope with anger or other negative emotions.
- A therapist will create a goal-placed based plan to help both parties improve themselves separately and as a whole.
A Small Fee for Saving Your Marriage
Don’t get us wrong; there are ways to find free marriage counseling, but if you or your spouse don’t want to spend money you do have to get counseling, you’re going to end up paying a lot more.
Divorce is even more expensive and stressful than going to a few sessions of counseling. You may think that it’s simply not worth the money because you feel like there’s no marriage to save. Don’t feel this way. For most couples, therapy is an effective way to save your marriage.
Even if your marriage is beyond saving, therapy can help both parties during a divorce. This makes the process much less expensive, as you can come to a more amicable agreement. Without a therapist, the emotions can fly and not a lot will get done as a result.
Free marriage counseling does exist, but you shouldn’t be afraid to pay a little bit for quality. Talk to a therapist today.
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