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How long do people wait before seeking couples therapy? A research note.

William J Doherty^1,2, Steven M Harris^1,2, Eugene L Hall^3,4

¹University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA.

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

|January 7, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Contrary to popular belief, couples therapy research shows partners seek help much sooner than expected. Most couples enter therapy for relationship issues within two years, not six years, suggesting better recovery prospects.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Family Studies
Clinical Psychology

Background:

A prevalent belief in couples therapy suggests couples wait an average of six years before seeking help.
This notion implies many couples present with issues too severe for successful intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the actual delay between the onset of serious relationship problems and seeking couples therapy.
To challenge the widely cited but unsupported 'six-year wait' hypothesis.

Main Methods:

Large-sample study analyzing the time interval for couples therapy entry (N=270).
Analysis also included individuals seeking therapy for relationship issues (N=101).

Main Results:

The average interval from problem onset to couples therapy was 2.68 years.
The majority of couples initiated therapy within two years of experiencing serious problems.
Similar timelines were observed for individuals seeking therapy for relationship concerns.

Conclusions:

The common assumption of a six-year delay is not supported by empirical data.
Therapists can be more optimistic about treatment outcomes, as couples generally seek help much earlier than previously thought.
Early intervention in couples therapy may improve prognosis for relationship recovery.