You do need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that with rising divorce rates couples might benefit greatly from marriage counseling.

(Now, it is much better if a couple seeks premarital counseling before tying the knot as this creates a stronger marriages by preparing them for major situations such as raising children, financial issues, and the role of religion in the family, etc.)

Although there are many books on relationship and marriage advice, meeting with a trained counselor yields the best results.

A marriage counselor helps couples to face conflict in healthy ways, understand each other, and helps to restore at least a measure of harmony to the relationship.

Although finding a marriage counselor is easy, finding the right one is not. So take great care in choosing whom you will allow to give you and your spouse relationship advice.

Here are 4 tips to make sure that you get the best marriage counselor in your effort to save your marriage:

1. Acknowledge the primary reasons why you are seeking marriage counseling.

It is easier to work through marriage problems when you and your spouse are on the same page by being aware of what is causing the conflict.

Often times couples are aware of the root causes but are unwilling or unable to talk about it. So verbalizing the root causes is a major step toward finding the best counselor.

If nothing else, being able to clearly articulate the problems will give you a strong start when first meeting with your counselor.

2. Choose a counselor you feel comfortable talking to.

This is so important. You must find a person that you BOTH feel comfortable with — someone you know in your heart you can trust and who will give trustworthy relationship advice. Theoretically speaking, if your marriage counselor is on their third or fourth marriage, then how comfortable would you be with their advice?

3. This goes without saying but make sure that your counselor has the necessary credentials and is credible and reliable.  Try to find a counselor who is highly esteemed and referred by many people.

4. Ask relatives and friends if they know of any good marriage counselors.

5. Bonus Tip: Find a counselor who shares and supports your values.

This one is so important, too. If you and your spouse have decided to save your marriage no matter what and have taken divorce off the table, then you do not want a counselor who believes divorce is a viable option and insists on keeping it on the table. Make sense?

Also, if you are a Christian who believes that your marriage should be founded on Christian values, then you really do not want to go to a marriage counselor who does not believe in Christian values.

These 5 tips will help you to find the best marriage counselor for you and your situation.

Whether you need premarital counseling or need to save a struggling marriage, be determined.

You are doing the right thing.

So do not stop until you find a marriage counselor who can give you the kind of help that your relationship needs and deserves.