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 Dakota, marriage counseling or couples therapy is a service that couples may voluntarily seek to address issues in their relationship. While it can be a helpful step for those looking to improve or save their marriage, it is not a mandatory requirement before filing for divorce. South Dakota, like many states, allows for no-fault divorce, which means that a spouse can file for divorce without the need to prove fault or wrongdoing by the other party. Consequently, even if one spouse is interested in marriage counseling, it will not prevent a divorce from being granted if the other spouse wishes to proceed. Courts in South Dakota do not typically order mandatory marriage counseling as a prerequisite to divorce. However, a judge may recommend or suggest counseling during divorce proceedings, especially if it appears that reconciliation might be possible or if it could assist in resolving specific disputes related to the divorce.