A study was conducted of the effectiveness of marriage counseling with respect to marital status and the long-term stability of relationships. Data were gathered from clients of approved Australian marriage counseling agencies (n=540) who took a pre-counseling survey during a 4-week period in October-November 1987 and a post-counseling survey 8 months later. To determine effectiveness, the study concentrated on the following outcomes: change in relationship status; change in level of commitment to relationship; satisfaction with counseling; and improvement in problem area, personal life, and viability of relationship. This book reports in detail the findings of this study. After an executive summary and introduction, part 1 provides an overview of marriage counseling in Australia, with chapters on: (1) the role of government in providing counseling services; (2) the role of marriage counseling agencies; (3) a definition of marriage counseling; (4) a review of the literature on the effectiveness of marriage counseling; and (5) the demographies of the users of marriage counseling. Part 2 delineates the pre-counseling survey results, including research design, procedures, and response rates; characteristics of participants; why clients came to counseling; expectations of counseling; and pathways to marriage counseling. Part 3 likewise delineates the post-counseling survey results, with chapters on the effectiveness of marriage counseling, client satisfaction, counseling outcomes, predictors of perceived counseling effectiveness, assistance from counseling, number and type of interviews, and perception of marriage counseling services. Part 4 discusses the cost-benefits of marriage counseling, while part 5 concludes the study with implications for policy, government departments, and marriage counseling agencies. References are included and instrumentation is appended. (TE)