The terminology in the mental health space can be confusing and even overwhelming at times, so you’re not alone if you’re unsure of the difference between these types of therapy.

The terms “marriage counseling” or “marriage therapy” are often used interchangeably with “couples counseling” or “couples therapy.” Many marriage counselors work with unmarried couples, but it’s best to check with your potential therapist to make sure. At Aligned Self, we welcome couples of all relationship structures.

Premarital counseling is a form of couples therapy that’s specifically designed for couples who are about to enter marriage. Typically, the goal of this type of counseling is to help couples resolve potential issues and strengthen their relationship before committing to marriage.

Relationship counseling is sometimes used as another term for marriage counseling or couples therapy. However, some relationship counselors (including those at our practice) work with people individually to support personal growth and learn new relationship skills.

Just as there are different types of couples therapy, there are various types of therapists who can provide couples counseling. During your search for a couples therapist, you may come across the following credentials.

• Licensed mental health counselor
• Licensed marriage and family therapist
• Licensed clinical social worker

Each of these professionals is a licensed psychotherapist who can help couples improve their relationship. Marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and social workers all have slightly different degrees and requirements, but all need to have a master’s degree and thousands of hours of supervised experience to earn licensure.

Yes! It’s a common misconception that you need to be married in order to seek professional help for your relationship. “Marriage counseling” and “couples counseling” are terms that are often used interchangeably, but being married isn’t a requirement to get support.

You also don’t need to be in a traditional partnership in order to benefit from relationship counseling. People practicing consensual non-monogamy or other relationship structures can benefit from having a safe space to process their emotions, explore boundaries, and work toward their goals.

Another misconception about couples counseling is that you need to be on the verge of divorce (or breakup) to get help. While many people reach out for help when their relationship is in crisis, you don’t have to wait for things to reach that level. Building a healthy foundation when things are less intense can help you prevent bigger issues later on.

Deciding which mental health professional to work with can be a difficult choice. Ultimately, it’s an individual decision that each couple must make for themselves. However, there are a few factors to keep in mind when searching for couples counselors.

When researching therapists, read their website or profile to get a sense of the issues they can help with and the different approaches they use. You’ll also want to take logistics such as location into account. Is their office conveniently located? At Aligned Self, we offer online therapy to make sessions accessible to as many people as possible.

Once you’ve narrowed down potential candidates, request consultations with each one. This will help you get a sense of how you feel when talking to them. Building a relationship with your therapist is important, so make sure you feel heard and supported.