Chai Brady
There’s been a dramatic decrease in marriage counselling sessions provided by a Catholic agency, with the number of sessions halving in some areas according to new figures.
Accord, who provide marriage preparation and counselling services, revealed their 2018 figures this week which show a decrease from 38,881 counselling sessions delivered in 2014 to 24,180 last year – a 38% reduction.
Counselling in their south east region offices, which includes counties such as Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford, fell by a significant 49%. This aligns with the State’s decision to cut Accord’s funding for its two main services by about 54% from 2011 to 2015.
Accord counsellors high-lighted several common problems couples face including the use of mobile technology and social media, unresolved arguments, lack of trust, closeness and affection, finances, depression and more.
The agency report that 75% of couples felt their relationships had improved after the service, with clients who attend as couples improving more than those attending as individuals.
Attendance of sacramental marriage preparation remains relatively stable with 16,048 couples using the service in 2018 and 15,504 attending in 2014.