One of the sadder situations as a couples therapist is when couples get to couples counseling too late. It only takes one individual—who has lost the will to work on the relationship—to end a relationship.

Research shows that the average couple starts marriage counseling six years after identifying significant marital issues. This is a long time to be dealing with and not resolving significant marital issues. If one waits too long, and loses the motivation to work on the relationship, the relationship is likely to be over.

The earlier couples work on their relationship issues, the better; although couples can even be helped after filing for divorce or after a prolonged separation. As long as both partners are still invested in changing their relationship and revamping the status quo, there is still hope.