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I have the privilege every day of working with couples who are newly partnered, partnered for 40 years and every number of years inbetween those two extremes.  The issues that newly partnered couples experience are very different than the issues that bring a couple married of +20 years of marriage, into therapy. 

I would highly recommend that all young couples seek counselling at least once a year, as a preventative measure.  This is by far a much better way to deal with challenges that surface, as opposed to at a later date when there are hurt feelings and the challenges are more difficult to repair.  I suggest that when a couple reaches gridlock on a particular issue, they seek assistance to deal with it then, not later.  Typically if couples wait too long, resentment starts to build and emotional, physical and sexual distancing follow behind. 

I use the analogy of taking your body and your teeth in for a check once a year, or taking your car or bicycle in for a check once a year.  These are preventative measures and I view relationships in the same way.  I have sat with many couples who waited way too long and the repair is not impossible, but it is much more difficult.

As a result, I encourage newly-partnered couples and couples who are planning on being married to seek counseling and pre-marital counselling.  This commitment to the health of your relationship will benefit you in the short-term and the long-term.

I would like to recommend the following book:  The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. 

Take care.  Be curious.  Stay open.  Have fun.

Barbara