They therefore fear and avoid the discussion of issues. They therefore attempt to get couples to raise issues but inadvertently precipitate arguments. Arguments in the presence of a therapist are just as unlikely to result in the resolution of an issue as those held without one. They are just more expensive. Therefore, most marital or couple's therapy doesn't work.
Sessions tend to degenerate into arguments for which the therapist functions as referee.
The adversarial postures don't change. There is nothing to be gained from raising an issue unless a couple is willing and able to discuss it to a point of resolution. Couples unwilling or unable to discuss issues will not resolve them, but will rather grow increasingly angry and frustrated with one another. With great likelihood their relationship will deteriorate and fail. Afterwards, each person will blame either the other party or the issues for the failure of the relationship.