Can Couples Therapy Fix a Broken Relationship? Here's What You Need to Know
Relationships are one of the most meaningful parts of life—but they can also be one of the most complicated. When things begin to fall apart, it’s natural to wonder: Can couples therapy fix a broken relationship? For many couples, therapy offers a second chance—not just to survive, but to grow.
In this article, we’ll explore how therapy works, when it helps, and what couples can realistically expect from the process.
Understanding a Broken Relationship: What Is a Broken Relationship?
Not every argument or rough patch means a relationship is broken. But when emotional distance replaces closeness, communication turns into conflict, and trust begins to crumble, something deeper may be happening. A broken relationship is often one where the core connection has been damaged—whether emotionally, physically, or both.
It doesn’t necessarily mean love is gone. In fact, many couples in broken relationships still care deeply for each other. What’s often missing is the ability to connect in a healthy, safe, and fulfilling way. That disconnection can show up through repeated arguments, lack of intimacy, or feeling more like roommates than partners.
Signs Your Relationship Might Be Broken
If you're unsure whether your relationship is going through a rough patch or facing a deeper rupture, here are some common signs to look for:
You feel emotionally distant or disconnected from your partner
Conversations are avoided or frequently escalate into conflict
Physical intimacy and affection have noticeably declined
Trust has been damaged, and efforts to rebuild it feel unsuccessful
You no longer feel heard, understood, or emotionally supported
There’s growing resentment that hasn’t been addressed
Time apart feels more peaceful than time spent together
Long-term goals or visions for the future no longer align
Communication often involves criticism, defensiveness, or silence
You regularly question whether the relationship is still worth saving
Recognizing these patterns doesn’t mean your relationship is doomed—but it does suggest that support may be needed. For many couples, therapy provides the space and guidance to rebuild what’s been lost.
What Is Couples Therapy and What Does It Aim to Do?
Couples counseling is a type of talk therapy designed to help two individuals better understand and strengthen their partnership. Led by a licensed professional, these sessions provide a neutral and supportive environment where both partners can express themselves openly and work through challenges together.
The goal isn’t to assign blame, but rather to uncover patterns that may be damaging the relationship and to build healthier ways of communicating, resolving conflict, and reconnecting emotionally.
Depending on the therapist’s approach, sessions may draw from established methods like Emotionally Focused Therapy or cognitive-behavioral techniques—each aimed at helping couples improve trust, communication, and emotional safety. While the path may not be easy, many find that with guidance, clarity and progress become possible.
How Does Therapy Help Improve a Relationship?
Therapy offers more than just a place to talk—it’s a guided process that helps couples uncover what’s not working and learn new ways to reconnect. From rebuilding communication to healing past wounds, therapy helps improve a relationship by focusing on the underlying issues that block connection, trust, and emotional intimacy.
Improving Communication Between Partners
Clear and respectful communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship. Many couples struggle not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know how to express themselves or truly listen. Therapy teaches partners how to speak and listen with empathy, rather than defensiveness or blame.
Teaches active listening skills
Encourages the use of “I” statements instead of accusations
Helps identify and break negative communication patterns
Creates a space where both voices can be heard equally
Rebuilding Trust After It’s Been Broken
Whether trust has been damaged by dishonesty, emotional neglect, or infidelity, it can be one of the hardest parts of a relationship to repair. Therapy helps partners understand the root of the breach and guides them in rebuilding a sense of safety and accountability.
Creates a neutral space to explore what led to broken trust
Supports both partners in expressing their hurt without judgment
Encourages consistent, trust-building behavior moving forward
Helps set new boundaries to prevent future damage
Restoring Emotional and Physical Intimacy
When a relationship is strained, affection and closeness often fade. Therapy addresses the emotional disconnect that can make physical intimacy feel forced or absent. With guidance, couples can begin to rebuild emotional safety—often the key to restoring affection and desire.
Explores emotional needs and unmet expectations
Helps each partner understand and respond to the other’s love language
Reduces emotional barriers that affect physical closeness
Encourages gentle reconnection without pressure
Resolving Longstanding Conflicts
Every couple argues—but when the same issues keep coming up without resolution, resentment can build. Therapy helps identify the root causes behind recurring conflicts and gives couples practical tools to manage disagreements more constructively.
Teaches conflict-resolution strategies
Identifies emotional triggers that fuel arguments
Helps separate current problems from past baggage
Promotes compromise and shared problem-solving
Helping Couples Make Informed Decisions About the Future
Some couples come to therapy uncertain about whether they want to stay together. Rather than forcing a decision, therapy supports clarity by exploring what each partner wants, needs, and is willing to work on.
Encourages open conversations about values and goals
Supports respectful exploration of staying together vs. separating
Clarifies individual readiness for change
Helps couples set realistic expectations for the future
Can Couple Therapy Fix a Broken Relationship? What the Stats Say
While every relationship is unique, research indicates that couples therapy can be highly effective in helping partners repair and strengthen their bond. When both individuals are committed to the process, couple therapy offers a structured path toward understanding and growth.
Here’s what recent studies reveal:
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), over 97% of couples surveyed reported receiving the help they needed through therapy, and 93% said they had more effective tools for dealing with relationship issues.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an evidence-based approach grounded in attachment theory, has shown that 70–75% of couples move from distress to recovery, with 90% experiencing significant improvement in their relationship.
Research on the Gottman Method indicates that after undergoing therapy, couples experience notable improvements in relationship satisfaction, communication, and intimacy.
These findings suggest that, with dedication and the guidance of a trained therapist, couples can navigate challenges and foster a healthier, more connected relationship.
When Should You Consider Couples Therapy—and What Does the Process Involve?
Couples often wait too long before seeking therapy, hoping that things will work themselves out. But therapy isn’t just for relationships on the verge of collapse. It’s a proactive tool for any couple feeling stuck, disconnected, or uncertain about the future.
When to Consider Therapy
If you’re experiencing any of the following, it may be time to reach out for support:
You have the same unresolved arguments repeatedly
Emotional or physical intimacy has significantly declined
You feel more like roommates than partners
Communication is marked by tension, silence, or conflict
One or both of you is questioning whether to stay together
There’s been a betrayal, and trust has not been rebuilt
Important topics like parenting, finances, or future plans lead to friction
These challenges can become even more complicated when cultural, racial, or family dynamics add extra pressure to the relationship. If you're navigating those complexities, you may find this article on challenges in interracial relationships both relatable and helpful.
Starting therapy early can help prevent deeper hurt and rebuild the connection before more damage is done.
What to Expect in the Process
The therapy journey is structured but flexible, and tailored to each couple’s unique needs. Here’s what it generally involves:
Initial Assessment: Your therapist will gather background on your relationship—its strengths, challenges, and goals.
Goal Setting: Together, you'll define what success looks like: better communication, rebuilding trust, or gaining clarity on next steps.
Weekly or Biweekly Sessions: Each session focuses on targeted areas such as conflict resolution, emotional safety, or past pain.
Therapeutic Exercises: You may receive take-home work like practicing new communication strategies, journaling, or check-in routines.
Review and Reflection: Progress is regularly evaluated to adjust goals and ensure both partners feel heard and supported.
Therapy doesn’t offer instant solutions, but it provides a steady framework for healing, reconnection, and growth—if both partners are willing to participate.
FAQ: Common Questions About Broken Relationships Therapy
Can couples therapy still help if only one partner is willing to try?
Ideally, both partners should participate in therapy for the best results. However, even if only one person is ready to begin, progress is still possible. Individual therapy can help you reflect on your role in the relationship dynamic, develop better communication habits, and gain clarity on your needs. In some cases, when one partner starts making intentional changes, the other may become more open to joining the process later.
Can couples therapy fix a relationship that feels completely broken?
While no therapist can guarantee that a relationship will be “fixed,” therapy can offer powerful tools to address the root causes of disconnection. Many couples come to therapy feeling hopeless, but with professional support, they begin to understand each other’s pain, repair trust, and reestablish emotional safety. Success depends on both partners being open, honest, and committed to change—even if things feel distant or damaged at the start.
Is couples therapy only for relationships that are about to end?
Not at all. Therapy isn’t just for couples in crisis. It can be beneficial at any stage of a relationship—whether you're facing major issues or simply want to strengthen your bond. In fact, starting therapy early often prevents small problems from becoming unmanageable.
Many couples use therapy as a proactive way to improve communication, deepen emotional intimacy, and navigate life transitions more smoothly.
What if therapy makes us realize we’re not meant to be together?
Therapy doesn’t always end in reconciliation—and that’s okay. Sometimes, the most compassionate outcome is realizing that staying together may not be the healthiest choice. A skilled therapist can guide you through this process with care and respect, helping you part ways in a thoughtful, honest, and emotionally grounded manner. This is especially important if children or shared responsibilities are involved.
Will the therapist take sides during our sessions?
No. A well-trained couples therapist remains neutral and focused on supporting the relationship—not favoring one partner over the other. Their role is to facilitate understanding, guide difficult conversations, and ensure both individuals feel heard and respected. If at any point it feels like the space isn’t balanced, a good therapist will welcome feedback and adjust the process to meet both partners’ needs.
Conclusion
Can couples therapy fix a broken relationship? For many couples, the answer is yes—when both partners are willing to engage honestly, take accountability, and commit to the process.
Therapy offers a safe and structured space to rebuild trust, improve communication, and rediscover emotional connection.
Even when things feel distant or damaged, seeking professional help can be the turning point that leads to healing, clarity, and a stronger foundation for the future.
Talk to Andrea Bryant, LMFT, MDiv, PMH-C
If you’ve been wondering “Can couples therapy fix a broken relationship?”, the next step may be reaching out for support. Andrea Bryant, LMFT, MDiv, is a licensed marriage and family therapist at YouWell Collective, offering a warm, non judgmental space for couples facing disconnection, unresolved conflict, or trust issues.
Andrea specializes in working with individuals and couples to foster growth, self-awareness, and deeper emotional connection. With a focus on relationships, BIPOC clients, spirituality, premarital counseling, and LGBTQIA+ support, she helps partners identify harmful patterns, rebuild trust, and create healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
No matter where you are on your journey, Andrea meets you with compassion and clarity—helping you move from survival to reconnection, and from uncertainty to intentional healing.
Contact Today
Email: info@youwellcollective.com
Phone: 678-701-7640