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 South Carolina, 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. South Carolina is a state that allows for no-fault divorce, meaning that a spouse can file for divorce without the need to prove fault or wrongdoing by the other party. The state's family courts do not typically require couples to undergo marriage counseling before granting a divorce. However, a judge may recommend or order counseling during the divorce process if it is deemed beneficial for the couple or in the best interest of any children involved. It is important to note that even if one spouse is opposed to the divorce, the court will generally grant the divorce if the other spouse insists on it, as long as the legal requirements for divorce under South Carolina law are met.