Why High Conflict Couples Fail In Therapy

The Reasons Your Time, Energy, And Money Are Going Nowhere

Have you ever found yourself thinking, damn, maybe Dr. Marina could help us? If so, maybe a couples therapy intensive is your right next step! I'm currently booking intensives for late summer 2026...take a peek to see if an intensive is right for your complex or high conflict (but safe, loving, and worth saving) relationship.

Not all high conflict couples stay together, and that's as it should be. I don't believe that simply staying together is enough, and some couples simply can't get to a stable, healthy place together. Even if you try couples therapy, your relationship might still end.

But some high conflict couples go to therapy and struggle or fail out for reasons that are preventable. With a different approach, attitude, or therapist, you might get much better results.

Today, I'm walking you through the most common couples therapy road blocks high conflict partners experience. Some of these are internal to the relationship and others are more about the therapist. But they will all keep you stuck right where you are—swirling in a cycle of intense conflict that blocks your relationship from happiness and health.

Let's get right into it.

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