Marriage counseling or couples therapy is the process of spouses working with a trained professional (usually a psychologist) to resolve problems in their relationship, with the goal of saving the relationship and marriage. Marriage counseling is generally not required before getting divorced, but in some states courts have the discretion to require couples seeking a divorce to engage in marriage counseling—although this is rare. And in some states the court may order the spouses to attend marriage counseling if one spouse requests it. But because a spouse is generally entitled to a divorce on no-fault grounds (without claiming or proving fault in the breakup of the marriage), marriage counseling is not usually a significant factor in the divorce process, and if one spouse wants a divorce, it will be granted.

In Pennsylvania (PA), marriage counseling or couples therapy is a voluntary process where spouses work with a trained therapist to address issues in their relationship. While it is not a mandatory step before filing for divorce, Pennsylvania law does allow courts to order marriage counseling in certain circumstances. For example, under 23 Pa.C.S. § 3302, the court may require up to a maximum of three counseling sessions if one of the spouses requests it and the court determines that there is a reasonable possibility of reconciliation. However, as Pennsylvania recognizes no-fault divorce grounds, a spouse cannot be forced to remain in the marriage if they desire a divorce. Therefore, while marriage counseling can be a tool for reconciliation, it is not typically a significant factor in the divorce process, and a divorce will generally be granted if one spouse insists on it.