Photo of Sarah Sprenkle, Licensed Professional Counselor in 19380, PA
Sarah Sprenkle
Licensed Professional Counselor, MS , LPC , NIT
Verified Verified
West Chester, PA 19380
Do you feel disconnected from yourself and your feelings, possibly due to trauma? Do you lack understanding of the cause & need education on how the brain responds to trauma? Do you have relational issues or anger management struggles that lead to addictive behaviors? Do you struggle with self-worth issues and feel tired, frustrated, and confused? In therapy, you will learn to identify trauma responses, build tolerance for difficult or uncomfortable feelings, & utilize various coping skills & grounding techniques. Gain confidence, take risks to address complex issues & learn how to create healthy boundaries for relationships.
Do you feel disconnected from yourself and your feelings, possibly due to trauma? Do you lack understanding of the cause & need education on how the brain responds to trauma? Do you have relational issues or anger management struggles that lead to addictive behaviors? Do you struggle with self-worth issues and feel tired, frustrated, and confused? In therapy, you will learn to identify trauma responses, build tolerance for difficult or uncomfortable feelings, & utilize various coping skills & grounding techniques. Gain confidence, take risks to address complex issues & learn how to create healthy boundaries for relationships.
(484) 255-8235 View (484) 255-8235
Photo of Chris Fariello, Marriage & Family Therapist in 19380, PA
Chris Fariello
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MA, LMFT, CST, CSTS
Verified Verified
11 Endorsed
West Chester, PA 19380
I am an active therapist. I design treatment plans and utilize strategies that are appropriate for both the issues and the personalities of my clients. I work with individuals in the context of their life and couples seeking to repair, improve or strengthen their relationship. My areas of specialty include intimacy, conflict, anger issues and the breadth of sexuality concerns.
I am an active therapist. I design treatment plans and utilize strategies that are appropriate for both the issues and the personalities of my clients. I work with individuals in the context of their life and couples seeking to repair, improve or strengthen their relationship. My areas of specialty include intimacy, conflict, anger issues and the breadth of sexuality concerns.
(267) 217-3987 View (267) 217-3987
Marriage Counseling Therapists

How does marriage counseling work?

Marriage counseling works by teaching couples concrete skills to communicate with one another and solve disagreements in healthy ways. A trained mental health professional works with both members of a couple to explore difficulties the couple may be having and helps them develop skills to address these matters. Couples who don’t have any difficulties but want to prepare for marriage may develop skills for the future.

How long does marriage counseling typically last?

Marriage counseling is a short-term form of therapy; the process may last between four and eight sessions. Other forms of relationship guidance from mental health professionals, such as couples therapy, are longer lasting, may focus on the past rather than just the present, and are tailored to the individual couple and their emotions, history, and patterns in the relationship. Couples therapy often lasts for 12 weeks or longer.

Is marriage counseling effective?

Marriage counseling helps many couples develop relationship skills that may not have been acquired or tested in a relationship; partners may be better able to communicate and address conflict following counseling. However, there are many different forms of marriage counseling, and this form of counseling does not have as strong an evidence base as other modalities such as couples therapy.

Is marriage counseling effective if only one partner wants to go?

Yes, marriage counseling can still be effective if one partner convinces the other to engage in the process. Of course, whether counseling is effective depends on the couple’s commitment to work on their relationship; however, the short-term, skills-based nature of marriage counseling makes it a relatively easy “ask” of a partner, and the hesitant individual may see its value once counseling begins.