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 Rhode Island, marriage counseling or couples therapy is a service that couples may voluntarily seek to address and resolve issues in their relationship. While it can be a helpful step for couples looking to save their marriage, it is not a mandatory requirement before filing for divorce. Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island do not typically require couples to undergo marriage counseling before granting a divorce. However, if both parties are open to counseling, they may choose to pursue it on their own. It's important to note that even though the court generally does not order mandatory counseling, it may be considered in certain circumstances, especially if it pertains to issues regarding child custody and the best interests of the children involved.