What role do licensed clinical social workers play in marriage counseling?

Licensed clinical social workers in marriage counseling help couples identify relationship patterns, improve communication skills, and develop healthy conflict resolution strategies. They provide a neutral space for partners to explore their concerns and work toward mutual understanding rather than taking sides or making decisions for the couple.

Do therapists ever recommend divorce to couples in therapy?

Ethical therapists do not recommend divorce as it's not their role to make life decisions for clients. Instead, they help couples explore their feelings, improve communication, and work through issues. The decision to stay together or separate ultimately belongs to the couple, with the therapist providing support and tools regardless of the outcome.

What therapeutic approaches are commonly used in couples therapy?

Common approaches include Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which focuses on attachment and emotional connection, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for changing negative thought patterns, and the Gottman Method, which emphasizes building friendship and managing conflict. Therapists often integrate multiple approaches based on the couple's specific needs.

How can couples therapy help improve communication between partners?

Couples therapy teaches active listening skills, helps partners express needs without blame, and provides tools for managing difficult conversations. Therapists guide couples in practicing healthy communication patterns, identifying triggers that lead to conflicts, and developing empathy for each other's perspectives.

When should couples consider seeking professional help for their relationship?

Couples should consider therapy when communication breaks down consistently, when the same conflicts repeat without resolution, or when emotional distance grows between partners. Early intervention is often more effective than waiting until problems become severe, and many couples benefit from therapy as a proactive tool for strengthening their relationship.

Do Licensed Social Workers Recommend Divorce in Therapy?

November 6, 2025

Licensed clinical social workers typically do not recommend divorce in marriage counseling, instead focusing on evidence-based therapeutic interventions that help couples improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their relationship through professional guidance and proven counseling techniques.

Worried that seeking marriage counseling might lead to divorce recommendations? Licensed Social Workers actually focus on strengthening relationships, not ending them—here's what really happens in therapy and why your fears might be unfounded.

A person with dreadlocks sits at a glass table, engaged in a video call on a laptop, with a cup of coffee nearby.

Do Licensed Clinical Social Workers Ever Recommend Divorce in Marriage Counseling?

If you’re experiencing challenges in your marriage, you might be considering professional help. However, you may hesitate to reach out to a therapist due to fears about what might be uncovered when examining your relationship more closely. Perhaps you worry your relationship is beyond repair, or that therapy might actually worsen your situation. A common concern is whether a therapist might suggest divorce as the best option.

Feeling nervous about starting therapy is completely normal. Understanding what marriage counseling with a licensed clinical social worker entails can help ease these concerns. This article will explain what to expect when seeking professional support for your relationship through ReachLink.

What is marriage counseling with a licensed clinical social worker?

Marriage counseling, also called relationship or couples counseling, is a collaborative process between you, your partner, and your therapist. At ReachLink, our licensed clinical social workers are trained professionals with expertise in helping couples identify relationship concerns and develop effective strategies to address them.

Issues our licensed clinical social workers can help with:

Enhancing communication skills
Fostering better mutual understanding
Developing healthier conflict resolution techniques
Identifying problematic relationship patterns
Resolving financial disagreements
Building or rebuilding trust, including after infidelity
Addressing differences in parenting approaches
Working through intimacy or sexual concerns
Rekindling emotional connection

None of these therapeutic goals involve recommending divorce as a solution.

If relationship tensions don’t improve through counseling, a couple may decide separation is best. Most of our licensed clinical social workers won’t make this suggestion themselves, but they can provide support and resources for whatever path you choose, whether that’s connecting you with appropriate resources or continuing the therapeutic process.

The marriage counseling process at ReachLink

Understanding the typical marriage counseling process may help alleviate concerns that a therapist might suggest divorce. Your expectations about therapy may not match the reality of how it actually works.

For instance, while many assume marriage counseling always involves both partners attending sessions together, this isn’t always the case. Our licensed clinical social workers generally find it beneficial to meet regularly with both partners to observe relationship dynamics, but individual sessions can also be valuable. Meeting separately with each partner allows the therapist to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship.

Starting marriage counseling

The first few sessions typically focus on your therapist getting to know you and your partner while establishing a foundation of trust. Your therapist will discuss policies, procedures, and ethical guidelines, emphasizing their commitment to respecting both partners’ perspectives and needs, even when these conflict.

Your therapist will then work to understand your relationship better by asking questions about its history and evolution. This provides insight into your relationship’s overall trajectory. They may speak with you together or separately to identify core concerns and potential areas for improvement.

The ongoing therapeutic process

Once you and your partner feel comfortable with your therapist, counseling progresses to deeper exploration. Through regular video sessions, you’ll identify relationship goals and concrete steps to achieve them.

Your therapist may also assign “homework” activities to practice between sessions. Many aspects of effective therapy involve small changes you and your partner can implement in your daily interactions, not just what happens during therapy sessions. These activities might include:

Acknowledging and expressing gratitude for your partner’s everyday contributions
Practicing pause and reflection before reacting to frustrating behaviors
Finding opportunities for intentional physical connection, even brief moments like holding hands
Creating dedicated couple time through activities like watching movies together or planning date nights
Learning to recognize when conflicts represent deeper issues that might be better addressed in your next therapy session

Implementing these small but meaningful changes can build upon progress made in sessions. In fact, marriage counseling often reduces the likelihood of divorce or separation. A 2011 study showed that 70% of couples who made behavioral changes in their relationship reported higher levels of marital satisfaction. (Note: while this study is from 2011, science and research continue to evolve, so older sources may contain information on theories that have been reevaluated since their original publication date.)

ReachLink’s telehealth approach to relationship support

When experiencing marital difficulties, it can feel like there’s no way forward. However, gaining an outside perspective from a trained professional can provide valuable insights. ReachLink’s telehealth platform offers convenient online therapy options that are particularly beneficial for couples with busy or conflicting schedules. With our virtual sessions, partners don’t need to be in the same location—you can connect with your therapist from anywhere with internet access, at times that work for both of you.

Research supports the effectiveness of this approach, with one recent study finding that online couples therapy demonstrated similar efficacy compared to traditional in-person therapy. Some couples even report that the virtual environment enhances their experience by minimizing distractions and allowing them to focus more deeply on the therapist’s guidance and techniques.

Takeaway

Relationship challenges can feel overwhelming and frustrating. It’s natural to hesitate before starting couples therapy, concerned about what the therapist might say about your relationship. Remember that ReachLink’s licensed clinical social workers don’t typically suggest divorce as a solution. Instead, they help you and your partner work through relationship concerns, which may include discussing healthy ways to end the relationship, but only if that’s the path you both determine is best. If you’re ready to seek professional help for your relationship, ReachLink’s telehealth platform offers a convenient and effective option for connecting with a licensed clinical social worker specialized in couples therapy.

FAQ

What role do licensed clinical social workers play in marriage counseling?

Licensed clinical social workers in marriage counseling help couples identify relationship patterns, improve communication skills, and develop healthy conflict resolution strategies. They provide a neutral space for partners to explore their concerns and work toward mutual understanding rather than taking sides or making decisions for the couple.
Do therapists ever recommend divorce to couples in therapy?

Ethical therapists do not recommend divorce as it's not their role to make life decisions for clients. Instead, they help couples explore their feelings, improve communication, and work through issues. The decision to stay together or separate ultimately belongs to the couple, with the therapist providing support and tools regardless of the outcome.
What therapeutic approaches are commonly used in couples therapy?

Common approaches include Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which focuses on attachment and emotional connection, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for changing negative thought patterns, and the Gottman Method, which emphasizes building friendship and managing conflict. Therapists often integrate multiple approaches based on the couple's specific needs.
How can couples therapy help improve communication between partners?

Couples therapy teaches active listening skills, helps partners express needs without blame, and provides tools for managing difficult conversations. Therapists guide couples in practicing healthy communication patterns, identifying triggers that lead to conflicts, and developing empathy for each other's perspectives.
When should couples consider seeking professional help for their relationship?

Couples should consider therapy when communication breaks down consistently, when the same conflicts repeat without resolution, or when emotional distance grows between partners. Early intervention is often more effective than waiting until problems become severe, and many couples benefit from therapy as a proactive tool for strengthening their relationship.