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 Massachusetts, marriage counseling or couples therapy is a voluntary process where spouses work with a trained therapist to address issues in their relationship. While it can be a helpful step for couples looking to improve or save their marriage, it is not a legal requirement before filing for divorce. Massachusetts is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that a spouse can file for divorce without the need to prove fault or wrongdoing by the other party. The courts in Massachusetts do not typically require couples to undergo marriage counseling before granting a divorce. However, if both parties are open to it, they may choose to pursue counseling either privately or through programs that may be available in their community. It's important to note that if one spouse wants a divorce, the court will generally grant it, regardless of whether marriage counseling has been attempted.