I completely agree with Jesse’s comment about how the elements I outlined could be useful as a refresher to couples who have been married for many years. So many married couples could benefit from this type of reminder - to avoid being in front of a therapist teetering on the brink of divorce years later.

Chester makes a great point about anger being a healthy emotion that only can benefit from being expressed in ways that aren’t hurtful. We all can benefit from remembering that at one time or another! Anger will inevitably come up in a marriage - it’s what the couple does with it that can make the difference.

The religious based counseling vs therapy based counseling discussion is an interesting topic as well. Each has something unique to offer - either through the framework of religion or relationship dynamics. Then there are those who have training/experience in both.

At the end of the day the couple will make the decision together as to which resonates with them more. Each lens will certainly be different.

Jeannette - you’re absolutely right in that many people, unfortunately, have unhelpful modeling by their parents. I believe they can relearn a better way through each other. Helping them to be aware of what they learned, normalizing their experience of not knowing any different then educating them how to do things differently - and practice with their partner. I find fostering empathy for one another’s experience as children with poor models is helpful as well. Like Hendrix (imago therapy) has written and spoken so much about - we can heal through our partners.