Marriage guidance

Marriage guidance is a form of counselling for couples who are in a sexual relationship. Although nominally intended only for married couples, marriage guidance is now generally available for all couples, married or not. (At the time of the creation of the term, extramarital sex was generally considered to be scandalous, thus leading to the nominal restriction to married couples.)

Couples seek marriage guidance for a number of reasons, most notably for sexual problems or difficulties in sustaining the relationship. Although the original purpose of marriage guidance was to attempt to preserve relationships, marriage guidance now also often acts to help couples whose relationship has broken down to extricate themselves from the relationship with as little hurt as possible.