From my perspective, existing marriage counseling alternatives are far too expensive, for a middle income person. Living on $37,000 a year and caring for two teenagers makes my budget balancing difficult enough, as it is. Not receiving any support from my former husband, who is a well earning professional, makes it even more difficult. The fact that he gives his children expensive gifts, makes me looking even poorer.
Anyway, have been told by my family to seek marriage counselor, while in separation. They probably hope, that my ex and I can get back together. Slim chances... That's how my local church counselor sees it, when I told her the whole background of our marriage's break-down. She's quite well versed in the legal issues of divorce, and as her advice comes free, my only alternative.
When enquiring about licensed divorce counselors, the cheapest one I could find was one in downrown Phoenix, charging $120 per hour; and he was booked out for the next two months. I couldn't afford to pay this kind of money, anyway. What we need is a kind of affordable marriage counseling services. perhaps those free counselors would get extra training, financed by the social services, and also some small fee for their voluntary time. This would make their services more accessible, while keeping them very affordable, or free.