In India, relationships are rarely just about two people. They are about families, expectations, traditions, and the invisible weight of “log kya kahenge” (what will people say). When things get difficult in a marriage or partnership, the default response for many Indian families is to either “adjust” or consult elders. Professional counselling often comes last, if it comes at all.
A recent study published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy confirms that couples therapy is an effective, well-established method for reducing relationship distress and enhancing relationship quality. Meta-analyses, that is systematically conducted research that combine data from multiple independent studies to identify overall patterns and strengthen conclusions, have consistently affirmed this across diverse populations.
But in India, the unique dynamics of joint families, in-law involvement, gender role expectations, and the cultural weight placed on marriage as an institution make couples therapy a very different experience from what is practised in the West. Therapists working in India report that couples therapy frequently involves discussions about in-law dynamics, family allegiances, and the tension between individual needs and collective expectations.
Relationship Counselling for Young Couples: Building a Strong Foundation Early
You don’t need to be married for decades, or even married at all, to benefit from relationship counselling. In fact, young couples in dating relationships or new marriages often benefit the most from early intervention because they haven’t yet developed entrenched negative patterns.
Young couples in India face unique pressures that previous generations didn’t navigate: balancing career ambitions with relationship expectations, managing long-distance relationships due to job relocations, negotiating modern gender roles while dealing with traditional family expectations, and the stress of deciding whether to move forward with marriage under family pressure. Many young couples also struggle with essential conversations they’ve never been taught to have- about money, intimacy, future planning, or what happens when individual dreams conflict with couple goals.
Premarital counselling, in particular, is one of the most underutilized but valuable forms of therapy. It’s not about “fixing” a broken relationship, it’s about building communication skills, understanding each other’s expectations, and creating a roadmap before marriage, not after things fall apart. For couples already in committed relationships, therapy can help navigate the transition from “us as individuals” to “us as a partnership” while maintaining healthy boundaries with families and managing the inevitable conflicts that arise when two people build a life together.
The stigma around therapy makes many young couples think, “We’re too new to need help” or “Therapy is for people whose marriages are failing.” But the opposite is true: seeking help early is a sign of relationship maturity, not weakness. It shows you’re both invested in building something that lasts, rather than waiting until resentment has calcified into something harder to heal.
When Should You Consider Couples Counselling? (Hint: Much Earlier Than You Think)
Here’s the sobering truth: Research indicates that the average couple is unhappy for six years before seeking therapy. That is a long time to carry resentment, miscommunication, or loneliness. Early intervention typically yields better outcomes because patterns that have been reinforced over decades are harder to change.
Common reasons Indian couples seek therapy include:
- Communication breakdowns (“We don’t talk anymore, we coexist”)
- Conflicts around in-laws or extended family (the classic Indian marriage challenge)
- Differences in parenting styles
- Emotional distance after years of marriage (“We’re roommates, not partners”)
- Infidelity and trust issues
- Difficulties navigating life transitions like relocation, career changes, or becoming parents
The question isn’t “Is our relationship bad enough for therapy?” It’s “Why are we waiting until it gets worse?”
Making It Affordable and Accessible: Breaking the Cost Barrier
One of the biggest barriers to couples counselling in India is cost. Traditional therapy in metros can run into thousands of rupees per session, making it accessible only to the privileged few. But relationship health shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for those who can afford expensive clinic visits in South Delhi or South Mumbai.
At PsychLine.in, we believe that the health of your relationship should not depend on the size of your wallet. Our sessions are priced at INR 2,000 per session, and we offer financial assistance for those who need it. The online format also eliminates travel costs, the awkwardness of being seen entering a therapist’s office, and the time commitment of physically visiting a clinic. Whether you’re in Bangalore or Bhopal, Pune or Patna, quality couples counselling is now just a video call away. If you want to talk to us for a free 15min consult to understand how this works, fill out our short intake form here and we will reach out to you within 48 hours.
➤ At PsychLine.in, we offer affordable, culturally sensitive online therapy with qualified professionals who understand the Indian context. Sessions are available in multiple languages. Reach out to us on WhatsApp at +91 9993954009 or visit www.psychline.in to book a session.
References
Lebow, J. L., & Snyder, D. K. (2022). Couple therapy in the 2020s: Current status and emerging developments. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48(1), 89 106.