A couple I saw years ago returned to couples counseling. They had made tremendous progress, but wanted to address the occasional skirmishes that arose. The skills they had built in couples counseling were still evident; however, the dynamics that now set off arguments were quite subtle. After years of practicing on their own, they were ready for more advanced training.

As the couple worked through an incident in couples counseling, the husband worried about their setbacks. I told him they had made way too much progress to return to the outbursts of their initial work. 

I told him it was like playing an instrument. At some point, you practice enough that you never forget how to play. In fact, they continued to practice since we last worked together. They were now ready for more advanced lessons.