Couples Therapy Statistics in the United States
Couples therapy helps partners address relationship problems such as communication difficulties, recurring conflict, emotional distance, and trust issues. According to a 2025 YouGov survey, 15% of U.S. adults said they had attended couples therapy with a current or former partner.
Research suggests that couples therapy can improve relationship satisfaction for many participants. In the same survey, 71% of people who attended couples therapy reported a noticeable improvement in their relationship, while clinical studies have also found measurable improvements in relationship satisfaction after treatment.
At The Renew Center of Florida, our couples therapy program provides a supportive space for partners to work through relationship challenges, strengthen communication, rebuild connection, and develop healthier patterns together.
Key Takeaways:
15% of U.S. adults surveyed in 2025 had attended couples therapy with a current or former partner.
71% of U.S. couples-therapy attendees surveyed in 2025 reported noticeable relationship improvement.
45% of couples-therapy attendees surveyed in 2025 said ongoing or unresolved conflict was a reason for seeking therapy.
General Couples Therapy Statistics:
Here are some general statistics about couples therapy in the United States:
15% of U.S. adults in the 2025 YouGov survey said they had attended couples therapy with a current or former partner.
16% of U.S. adults in the 2025 survey had considered couples therapy without attending.
66% of U.S. adults in the 2025 survey had neither attended nor considered couples therapy.
26% of divorced U.S. adults surveyed in 2025 said they had tried couples therapy.
20% of married U.S. adults surveyed in 2025 said they had attended couples therapy.
22% of U.S. parents with children under 18 surveyed in 2025 had attended couples therapy.
45% of couples-therapy attendees surveyed in 2025 cited ongoing or unresolved conflict as a reason for attending.
43% of couples-therapy attendees surveyed in 2025 cited communication problems as a reason for seeking therapy.
417 U.S. couples studied in 2026 attended an average of 11.73 couples-therapy sessions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported approximately 76,300 marriage and family therapist jobs in the United States in 2025.
Couples Therapy Success Rate Statistics:
Couples therapy success is commonly measured through improvements in relationship satisfaction, communication, emotional connection, and conflict resolution. Research and survey data provide several measurable outcomes showing how couples respond to therapy.
71% of U.S. adults who had attended couples therapy reported noticeable relationship improvement in a 2025 YouGov survey.
34% of couples-therapy attendees surveyed in 2025 reported better communication after therapy.
30% of couples-therapy attendees surveyed in 2025 reported having a stronger overall relationship.
26% of couples-therapy attendees surveyed in 2025 reported an increased emotional connection with their partner.
19% of couples-therapy attendees surveyed in 2025 said therapy helped them recognize that their relationship was not sustainable.
A 2020 meta-analysis involving 2,092 couples across 58 studies found a relationship-satisfaction effect size of Hedges' g = 1.12 after couples therapy.
Couples placed on waitlists in the same 2020 meta-analysis had a relationship-satisfaction effect size of only Hedges' g = 0.12.
A 2023 U.S. study involving 85 couples found an improvement in relationship satisfaction of Cohen's d = 1.43 one month after a brief relationship intervention.
Couples Therapy Among U.S. Teens:
Teen relationship statistics in the United States highlight common challenges linked to dating, communication, safety, and relationship health. CDC data provides insight into the relationship-related risks experienced by high school students across the country.
10.4% of U.S. high school students who dated reported physical dating violence during the previous 12 months in the 2023 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
5.9% of U.S. high school students who dated reported sexual dating violence in the 2023 CDC survey.
11.4% of female U.S. high school students who dated reported physical dating violence in 2023.
9.3% of male U.S. high school students who dated reported physical dating violence in 2023.
9.3% of female U.S. high school students who dated reported sexual dating violence in 2023.
2.9% of male U.S. high school students who dated reported sexual dating violence in 2023.
Together, these statistics highlight dating-related safety and relationship challenges experienced by U.S. high school students and provide insight into some of the serious issues that can affect teen relationships.
Couples Therapy Statistics by State:
CDC data show that relationship breakdown and serious intimate partner problems vary considerably across U.S. states. Divorce rates provide one measure of relationship dissolution, while the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey provides state-level insight into serious problems within current or former intimate relationships.
Divorce and Relationship Breakdown by State:
CDC divorce rates measure the number of divorces per 1,000 residents and provide one of the clearest state-level indicators of relationship breakdown.
Nevada recorded 3.8 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2023, according to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics.
Idaho recorded 3.4 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2023, according to the CDC.
Wyoming recorded 3.4 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2023, according to the CDC.
Oklahoma recorded 3.3 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2023, according to the CDC.
Alaska recorded 3.1 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2023, according to the CDC.
Utah recorded 3.1 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2023, according to the CDC.
Florida recorded 3.0 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2023, according to the CDC.
Arkansas recorded 3.0 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2023, according to the CDC.
Tennessee recorded 2.9 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2023, according to the CDC.
Texas recorded 2.1 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2023, according to the CDC.
These CDC statistics show clear differences in divorce rates across the states listed, with Nevada recording 3.8 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2023, followed by Idaho and Wyoming at 3.4 per 1,000 residents.
Relationship Problems and Intimate Partner Issues by State:
The CDC's 2023–2024 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey provides state-level data on lifetime contact sexual violence, physical violence, and stalking by an intimate partner among women across the United States.
48.1% of women in Arkansas reported lifetime contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the CDC's 2023–2024 survey.
47.3% of women in Missouri reported one or more of these intimate-partner experiences in 2023–2024.
47.1% of women in Alaska reported one or more of these intimate-partner experiences in 2023–2024.
44.2% of women in Oregon reported one or more of these intimate-partner experiences in 2023–2024.
44.1% of women in West Virginia reported one or more of these intimate-partner experiences in 2023–2024.
43.3% of women in Maryland reported one or more of these intimate-partner experiences in 2023–2024.
42.2% of women in Washington reported one or more of these intimate-partner experiences in 2023–2024.
42.0% of women in Maine reported one or more of these intimate-partner experiences in 2023–2024.
30.4% of women in Texas reported one or more of these intimate-partner experiences in 2023–2024.
24.6% of women in Florida reported one or more of these intimate-partner experiences in 2023–2024.
These state-level figures highlight differences in serious intimate partner problems across the United States and provide additional context on relationship health and challenges experienced within intimate relationships.
Effects of Couples Therapy in the U.S.
Couples therapy can affect communication, relationship satisfaction, emotional connection, and decisions about whether a relationship should continue.
71% of U.S. therapy attendees surveyed in 2025 reported noticeable relationship improvement after couples therapy.
34% of attendees reported improved communication in the 2025 survey.
30% of attendees reported having a stronger overall relationship in 2025.
26% of attendees reported increased emotional connection in 2025.
19% of attendees reported that therapy helped them determine their relationship was not sustainable in 2025.
A 2020 meta-analysis of 58 studies involving 2,092 couples found substantial improvements in relationship satisfaction following couples therapy.
A 2023 U.S. study involving 85 couples found a relationship-satisfaction improvement of Cohen's d = 1.43 one month after treatment.
U.S. Divorce Rate Trends and Couples Therapy
Divorce trends provide useful context for understanding why some couples seek therapy for communication problems, recurring conflict, trust concerns, and relationship dissatisfaction. CDC data show that the U.S. divorce rate rose after 2020 before leveling off in more recent years.
In 2019, the U.S. divorce rate was 2.7 per 1,000 people, with 746,971 divorces and annulments recorded.
In 2020, the divorce rate fell to 2.3 per 1,000 people, with 630,505 divorces and annulments.
In 2021, the divorce rate increased to 2.5 per 1,000 people, while divorces and annulments rose to 695,509.
In 2022, the divorce rate was 2.4 per 1,000 people, with 673,989 divorces and annulments.
In 2023, the divorce rate remained at 2.4 per 1,000 people, with 672,502 divorces and annulments recorded.
The largest recent year-over-year increase occurred between 2020 and 2021, when the divorce rate rose by about 8.7%. These figures add context to couples therapy statistics, as many partners seek professional support when facing ongoing conflict, communication difficulties, emotional distance, or uncertainty about the future of their relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How common is couples therapy in the United States?
Couples therapy is used by a minority of U.S. adults. A 2025 YouGov survey found that 15% of U.S. adults had attended couples therapy with a current or former partner, while another 16% had considered it but had not attended. Usage was higher among married and divorced adults.
What types of couples therapy are commonly used?
Several couples therapy approaches are supported by research. A 2026 review identified seven models with empirical support, including Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman Method therapy, Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy, strategic therapy, and insight-oriented therapy.
Do relationships relapse after couples therapy?
Research shows that relationship improvements can continue after couples therapy. A 2020 meta-analysis of 58 studies involving 2,092 couples found that improvements in relationship satisfaction were generally maintained at both short- and long-term follow-up after treatment.
How does couples therapy compare with other mental health services?
Couples therapy is a more specialized area of mental health care. In 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 66,740 marriage and family therapist jobs, compared with 491,930 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor jobs, showing the larger workforce available for broader mental health services.
Data Sources:
Get Support for Your Relationship at The Renew Center of Florida
If communication, trust, or ongoing conflict is affecting your relationship, The Renew Center of Florida offers couples therapy services designed to help partners understand challenges, improve communication, and build healthier relationship patterns together.
