You can Save your Marriage

This is National Marriage Week, as well as the week we celebrate Valentine's Day. So how successful are marriages here in the state of Michigan?

In 2011, there were 56,159 marriages.  There were 33,940 divorces.  The average length of marriage ending in divorce in Michigan was 9 years.  (the 2012 figures have not yet been released).

How can you read those numbers and not be discouraged?  Why are our marriages failing and in so short of a time?

One thing that couples can do is commit to counseling--particularly couple's marriage counseling.

Back in 2011, in order to understand the effectiveness of marriage counseling, even with couples who are going through a divorce, I spoke with Dr. Gail Majcher, a Northville psychologist.

Wendy Alton: “Dr Gail, what are your thoughts on marriage counseling before a couple files for divorce?”

Dr. Gail: “Marriage counseling is a good idea for the majority of cases. In fact, many of my couples have already filed for divorce when they first come in. I think the downfall is that it should not be implemented for abuse cases. Sometimes abuse in a marriage is well hidden and difficult to discover.”

Wendy Alton: “Dr. Gail, how common is marriage counseling and is there any sort of success rate?”

Dr. Gail: “I have a masters degree in marriage counseling as well as a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Over the last 30 years of my practice, marriage counseling constitutes about 30% of my cases. The marriage counseling that I conduct is intense and includes homework for the couple so the process can go faster. My success rate for married couples is at least 70%.”

As a divorce lawyer, I have to admit that the 70% success rate is surprising—but also very encouraging. So, from a professional who knows from experience, marriage counseling can absolutely save your marriage, even if you have filed for divorce.


For information, tips, tools and encouragement, visit the National Marriage Week website: http://www.nationalmarriageweekusa.org/


Dr. Gail is a local Northville psychologist, and you can learn more about her on her website: www.DrGail.com. Dr. Gail also published a book called “A Worthy Woman: Victory over Domestic Violence, a True Story and Self-Help Book.” She can also be heard on WJR as the co-host of “Sunday Sessions,” a psychological edu-taining show about mental health issues.

Dr. Gail can be reached at (248) 345-5050, and her office is at 114 Rayson, Suite One D, Northville.


If you are interested in learning more, please call Wendy Alton at 734-665-4441 or email her at walton@psedlaw.com. More information about her firm, Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can be found here: www.psedlaw.com.