Do you think couples counseling is actually beneficial and can help? My boyfriend of 8 years and I have been having a really hard time. we have been together since high school and are 25 now and have lived together for 1 year. I am wondering if it would be worth it, at least we could say we tried everything. Does anyone have experience with couples counseling?

Absolutely, individual therapy can be very beneficial, so why wouldn't couples therapy?

Yes of course, if both people actively participate and put the effort into making the couple’s therapy beneficial. Like individual therapy it may take a bit of trial and error to find the right therapist for you.

Yes, for sure. Are you both open to it? Thats key. Something my partner and I did when we’re in a really rough spot was we sat down every single Sunday and told each other every single thing we appreciated about each other that week, what we felt needed improvement, if there were any negative feelings that needed to be brought up. We constantly made an effort each week, improved on the things that were brought up the following week, so that next Sunday it wouldn’t be an issue. It really takes BOTH people though. If my partner said to me “you haven’t shown affection lately”, then the following weeks I’d ask on Sunday “how have things been? Have I done better with showing you affection?” Over time there weren’t any negative things to work through because we were holding each other accountable on a weekly basis by talking things through It’s very much helped us tbh, we have these talks now only once a month

Therapist here! Couples therapy works if you both show up consistently and both people are dedicated to making changes to make the relationship work. If one person is not interested and does not put effort, or you both are inconsistent with showing up, it will not be effective