DU Couples Clinic offers help to couples regardless of ability to pay

DENVER - Recent media stories have focused on trends for couples who want to divorce and/or separate, but cannot because of the high expense. Dr. Howard Markman, director of the University of Denver's (DU) Center for Marital and Family Studies and head of the DU Couples Clinic says it's an ideal time for these couples to decide to work on their marriage.

"We want to open our doors to couples hard-hit by the recession and financial issues," Markman says. "One of the things you do have control over in these difficult financial times is the quality of your relationship with your partner."

As of part of 10 session couples therapy program at DU, couples will go through an assessment of relationship problems and relationship well-being. If accepted for the program, couples will learn how to improve their ability to talk without fighting about important issues, to solve problems as a team, to have more fun, be better friends and restore sensuality and romance.

"Research shows that many marriages can be saved and couples who have thought about divorce and do not do so are happier with their marriage years later," Markman says.

The counseling program used at the clinic is based on Markman's best-selling book "Fighting for Your Marriage," based on 30 years of research with couples at DU as well as new research being conducted at the psychology department at DU.

The Couples Therapy Clinic can be reached at (303) 871-3306 or psyclinic@psy.du.edu or look for them online at www.du.edu/psychology/child_and_family_clinic.