Do you think marriage counseling works and why or why not?

I think it can work but you've got to be dedicated to it. You need to find a professional who works for you.You need to do it at the right time. You need to take lessons to heart and be open and honest.

It takes two to work on a relationship - counseling can definitely help in that regard. If one doesn't want to work (or believes nothing is wrong), then there's no point.

Agree with both responses above mine. Counseling can work, but isn't guaranteed to work. There are a lot of variables - you have to find the right counselor that works with both your personalities, and both people have to be dedicated (and willing) to work on their own part in the issues.

I also think that even if only one partner is willing to go to counseling and the other isn't... it's still worth it for the 1 partner to go. As that person gets healthier it's possible the other partner will change their mind, and will want to work on things too. But even if they don't, at least the 1 partner will be healthier and in a better place.

Yes, as long as both sides are willing to be open and make changes. It does help to have a third party to mediate.

it's not a question of the counseling working or not, because that depends on how much effort the people put into the advice they are given. Just because you get counseling doesn't mean that they will tell you that you should stay together. sometimes they will tell you that you aren't right for each other. Does that mean that it didn't work? No.

Marriage counciling can be a wonderful tool for any marriage as long as both people keep an open mind and apply the tools they are given while in counciling.

I think it all depends on the couple and what ever their issues are.