Analyzes information about callers, their problems, and the responses made by counselors at a Relate (Marriage Guidance) Helpline telephone service. An assessment of the value of the telephone service is made in light of its aim, to provide a prompt response to people whose relationships are in difficulty and are unable to wait for a counseling…

For mysterious reasons only a small proportion of couples with relationship problems seek counseling. This qualitative study included 36 women and 16 men in structured small group discussions. Questions concerned attitudes to relationship counseling. Both groups expressed denial of the problems in the relationship, the seriousness of these…