Couples therapy can be a complex process, due to the fact that there are essentially three clients in the room --- you, your partner, and your relationship.   Part of couples therapy is to identify where the issues are coming from, such as from childhood, or from other sources of stress, such as financial, etc.  Another part is to help both parties feel understood and accepted enough to trust the therapeutic process, which facilitates learning of communication techniques, etc.  I firmly believe that whether couples choose to stay together or part ways, both parties will come away with a deeper understanding of themselves and relationships in general that will help them with practically all their future relationships.