British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy
This is the Therapy Talk: 8 Strategies for Persuading Your Partner to Attend Couples Counseling
It is impossible to compel someone to do anything. You can, on the other hand, make an effort to comprehend your spouse’s fears or concerns about marriage counseling and then work to address those fears or concerns in a win-win manner in your response to them. Most of the time, it is not a lack of love or concern that causes someone to reject marital therapy.
Inform your spouse of the type of counselor you are looking for, that you have done some research (if you have), and that you would like them to attend at least one session, if not more, to allow the counselor to hear both of their points of view. It is critical for a counselor to hear the issues and experiences of BOTH couples, rather than just one, in order to be effective.
You can, on the other hand, make an effort to comprehend your spouse’s anxieties or concerns about marital therapy and then work to address those fears or concerns in a win-win manner in your answer to them. Most of the time, it is not a lack of love or concern that causes someone to reject marital therapy.
You should explain to your spouse that you would like him or her to listen attentively without interrupting and that you will do the same when they answer. Inform your partner that he or she, as well as your marriage or relationship, are really important to you and that there are some/many things that are going well.