Marriage/Family Therapist or Clinical Psychologist?

Question

My Marriage is in trouble. I believe we need counseling and reluctantly my hubby has agreed to go. Problem? Not many Marriage/Family Therapist to choose from in our insurance plan. Should we see a clinical psychologist or other specialist in this field or stick with the few choices (no males) in our area who are specifically Marriage/Family Therapist?
Thanks so much for your answers and feel free to go into detail about different marriage counseling choices if you want to share.

Answer 1

Marriage counseling is almost always done by a licensed therapist at the master's level. Marital problems are typically related to communication problems between the adults or negative behaviors such as drugs/alcohol, affairs, sexual dysfunction, mid-life crises, or one or both parties taking each other for granted given the closeness over the years. We often lose our focus and begin - wrongly - that the grass is greener over there. Clinical Psychologists treat disorders, not marital dysfunction. Typically it is difficult to find males when the pool is small but, trust me, the sex of the therapist is unimportant. The most important thing is to meet with the therapist on a consultation and then, based upon her presentation of her approach, decide if she is someone you can trust. Therapists are confidential resources, nothing discussed ever leaves the office. A middle aged therapist - or older - is usually the best because of experience and a lack of ego you may find in younger people. Most therapists can get themselves attached to your insurance if they wish to go through a bit of a hassle. Good luck.

Answer 2

My suggestion would be to try the marriage/family therapist first, if things don't go so well, then move on to the clinical psychologist. The marriage/family therapist is better trained to deal with your issues than the clinical psychologist, who is better trained to deal with more individual, deeper, psychological issues...they are both 'qualified' to help you. My degree is in psychology, my main focus was adolescent psychology, so I do somewhat know what I am talking about here...hope you get the results you are hoping for :-)

Answer 3

You have my sympathy and thoughts, hon. We are choosing a marriage/family therapist who we hope will listen without judging but also challenge us to change what needs to be changed to make our fifteen-year marriage work.

I would try to choose a specific marriage/family therapist, rather than a clinical psychologist. If you have friends at work/church, or people within your family whose discretion you can trust, ask them for their ideas and recommendations - a personal reference is worth a lot in this case.

Another option might be to look within your local churches/synagogues/mosques etc. for recommendations, even if you are not specifically devout: in my experience, Christian counsellors and marriage therapists will certainly respect your personal beliefs, and often they are less expensive and more compassionate than other professionals.

There is a non-denominational program available throughout the States and Canada (actually world-wide!) called "Marriage Encounter" which helps couples communicate and gives techniques to strengthen their relationship. It's often recommended for engaged couples, but newly-weds, the middle-aged, those in a mid-life crisis, and seniors all show up on a typical weekend getaway.

Courses are almost guaranteed to be running somewhere in your area sometime soon - check the many websites and there will be a Marriage Encounter couple in your region whom you can contact directly. If nothing else, they will listen sympathetically and may be able to refer you to other local programs or counsellors.

I hope you can find someone and that the counselling you receive will help to heal your marriage. Courage! You're willing to fight for something important, and that's never easy - but the rewards will be great. If you believe in prayer - pray for us as well.

Love and strength - Judith

Answer 4

I'd have to say to go with the therapists who specialize in marriage counseling. Clinical Psychologist generally treat clinical psychological disorders like manic depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety. You may want to have an initial session to see if you both feel comfortable talking to the therapist, because you will need to be in order to share your most intimate things.

Answer 5

I went to counseling when I was married & my brother & sister-in-law are currently in counseling. My ex & my brother both felt talking to a woman was much easier for them but you need to pick someone you both feel comfortable with. If hubby is relucant, and money is not an issue, go to the marriage/family therapist. If one or both of you have any depression & may need medication, you can work with a family doctor & your therapist. If you know any one in the area, ask for recommendations!! But if money is one of the stressors in the marriage, choose the cheap one to start! Good luck to both of you & you tell you husband I am proud he is 'man'ning up & fixing his marriage!!

Answer 6

you may want to talk to your insurance company and find out if they will cover a psychologist...many of them only do evaluations and little family counseling. many churcheds also offer couples counseling at no charge. there are also retreats you can take on weekends, but you have to search for those. good luck

Answer 7

Just from my personal experience, and I've tried just about all of them. the best I have found for me is a christian family counselling who uses biblical principals.they are fairly inexpensive and very helpfull