Marriage & Family Counseling

Marriage and family counseling is a vital service provided to people, especially when considering the high number of marriages that fail in this country.  Statistically speaking, the divorce rate appears to be declining in this nation, even though some at the Census Bureau still claim the rate is around 50% in America.  As you see in the statistics below, that claim has not been valid since the early to mid-1980's, as the rate has declined from its all-time high of 0.53% in 1981. 

Per capita divorce rates 1990-2004:
1991, 47%
1992, 48%
1993, 46%
1994, 46%
1995, 46%
1995, 43%
1997, 43%,
1998, 42%,
1999, 41%,
2000, 41%,
2001, 40%,
2002, 38%
2003, 38%
2004, 37%

The most recent statistical analysis of divorce rates in America were performed in 2005.  There were approximately 2,230,000 marriages in 2005 -- up from 2,279,000 the previous year, despite a small amount considering the total population increase of 2.9 million over the same period.  The divorce rate in 2005 (per 1,000 people) was 3.6 -- the lowest rate since 1970, and down from 4.2 in 2000 and from 4.7 in 1990. (The peak was at 5.3 in 1981, according to the Associated Press.) The decline in divorce rates in America is a positive note, some of which can be attributed to effective marriage and family counseling.  However, the need for effective marriage and family counseling is still great, as reflected in the following statistics: The State of Our Unions 2005, a report issued by the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University said that only 63% of American children grow up with both biological parents -- the lowest figure in the Western world.

Divorce rate statistics show that couples without children have a higher divorce rate in America. US divorce rates in couples who have children is slightly lower. The children of divorced parents are prone to divorcing 4 times more than the children of couples who are not divorced. Various studies on US divorce rate show significant differences when a comparison is made in 1st, 2nd and 3rd marriage, divorce rate in America:

• Divorce rate in America after first marriage is from 37% to 43%.
• US divorce rate after second marriage is from 60% to 67%
• After 3 marriages the US divorce rate is from 73% to 74%

Marriage and family therapy effects change from a systems approach by examining the interaction between family members.  Helping couples live in harmony is only one goal of marriage and family therapy. Helping parents assess the family dynamics and embrace positive changes is another.  This may include multi-cultural issues, blended families, family members who have been victims of domestic violence, substance abuse issues with family members, and other aspects that must be addressed as part of the process.  Sabine Scoggins, Ph.D., MSCP, LPC / LMHC, President & CEO of the Counseling Connection, has extensive experience in the field of marriage and family counseling, as well as her own personal experiences.  She has been happily married for more than 25 years - the first for her, but the second marriage for her husband - so statistically speaking, there was a two out of three chance that their marriage would end in divorce.  She entered into a blended family, with two step sons (4 years old and 6 years old) when she was married.  She had to overcome multicultural issues, as she was a German when she married her American husband, and the two cultures are quite different. She and her husband also had three daughters, which also presented challenging moments along the way.  Needless to say, she was able to see the principles she was taught in the extensive training she received as she earned her Master's and doctorate degrees put into practice in her very own home. 

The professional experience that Dr. Scoggins has acquired over the years is quite extensive.  In Oklahoma City, she served at the Parents Resource Center, guiding young teenage mothers in their new life changes ahead.  She taught a series of court ordered Men's Anger Management group sessions, many of whom attending were spouse abusers.  Dr. Scoggins has also worked as a counselor for the Family Reunification Program, determining when the court should allow children to be returned to their homes that were removed by court order.  She served for several years as a registered Marriage and Family Therapist intern at the Meier Clinic and at the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association Mental Health Clinic.  She served nearly four years as a counselor at the Anderson Family Counseling Center, in South Carolina, before moving to the Knoxville area in 2009.  We also connect people in need with other clinicians in the area and in other states, seeking that which is best for the clients. 

If we can be of assistance to you, please send e-mail to support@counselingconnection.us