Marriage counseling can benefit you and your partner in several ways, especially communication and saving the marriage. But the services of a good marriage counselor are not cheap. And the additional expenses can be discouraging. More so if the costs put more strain on you and your partner’s finances. In this blog, we explain eight ways to lower or avoid the cost of marriage counseling.

1. Try self-resolution

Conflict and disagreement in marriages are common. Evaluating the status of the marriage helps you determine if self-resolution will eliminate the problem. You’ll save a ton if you can talk through your problems yourself. But if the problems are recurring and hardly ever resolved when you try to talk, you probably need counseling.

2. Try self-help books

Many people find it difficult to talk about their feelings one-on-one with a therapist or in a group. If you fall into this category but still want to make your marriage work, self-help books can help you. Many marital problems are common. You will likely find resources that address your issue. Luckily, these books are very popular these days. And they’re a great option because you can choose the content that is specific to your problems.

3. Couples Retreat

If you are considering marriage counseling but are hesitant due to the cost, a couples retreat is a good option. This therapy vacation gives you both an escape from your daily routine. It helps you clear your head. There are different types of couples retreats. Some include counseling sessions and courses that help you improve your marriage.

4. Online quiz

There are several helpful resources online for marital and relationship problems. Among these are online quizzes. Some of these quizzes are designed to help you diagnose marriage or relationship problems. They take less than 10 minutes to complete. But can be very effective in showing you and your spouse’s love language, conflict style, relationship personality, and many more. This valuable knowledge helps you navigate the problem and find the solutions.

5. Couples workshop

Couples workshops can be in the form of retreats, whole-day classes, or weekend workshops. This is another effective alternative if you want to avoid therapy due to the cost. You still get the help of a trained counselor. Although some couples’ workshops are expensive, it is mostly one-off and helps you address the issues in a single workshop.

6. Date nights

Create routine date nights to maintain intimacy and strengthen the connection. It helps you stay connected regardless of daily stress. Let it be a time when you have fun and enjoy each other’s company.

7. Group dates

In addition to date nights, If you both are outgoing, organize group dates with other married couples. Such dates can be converted to group therapy sessions where you learn how other couples handled similar problems. The feelings of support that you receive will go a long way in helping you avoid therapy.

8. Go on a trip 

Adding a once-in-a-while vacation to your routine date nights can be effective in improving any relationship. It does not have to be an expensive vacation, and you don’t have to go out of town. The most important thing is setting aside quality time to reconnect and rekindle your love. With this, you do not need to go for marriage counseling.