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 Michigan, marriage counseling or couples therapy is a voluntary process where spouses work with a trained therapist to address issues in their relationship. While Michigan law does not require couples to undergo marriage counseling before filing for divorce, courts in Michigan have the discretion to order couples to attend counseling. This is particularly true in cases involving minor children, where the court may order counseling to assist the parties in resolving issues related to custody and parenting time. However, since Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, a spouse cannot be forced to remain in the marriage if they desire a divorce. Therefore, even if marriage counseling is ordered or undertaken, it does not prevent a spouse from obtaining a divorce on no-fault grounds.