Assessment is a critical component of most professions but professionals working with couples or families. We often fail to take full advantage of these assessments. Physicians typically run a variety of diagnostic tests before they make their final decision on treatment. Teachers use examinations to determine a students achievement level. Police Officers use radar to determine the speed a car is driving. Engineers use stress tests to determine whether a structure will be functional for the task.

It is often argued that couples who choose to attend marriage education programs are mostly very happy and not many distressed couples attend.