I will never forget the delight on my husband’s face when our couples therapist said: “There is a beginning, middle and end in couples therapy.” And secretly, yes even as a therapist, I also felt relieved. It’s nice to know that a process has tangible timing. 
Although Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy is considered a short term therapy, the timing for each couple is different. I can usually make a ballpark prediction (supposing couples have been completely candid with me) after a few sessions. The standard amount of sessions is twenty; but if there are complicating factors counseling can take longer. The follow factors either in the past or present generally indicate that therapy will take longer:
- addictions
- affairs
- trauma
- inter-partner violence
Nevertheless, there is still a beginning middle and end. Yes – really!