. Conversely, ongoing marital and family problems can lead to depression. Depression must be treated first in order to give you the emotional where-with-all to address your marriage and family issues. Lipton, Ph. We so oftentimes feel if we could just get away from our spouse and find a nice, understanding, loving person, happiness and contentment would be ours for the taking. Marc B. Lipton, Ph. Sometimes they are right, most of the time they are wrong. You put in the extra time and effort for yourself and for your children. I have been providing treatment for step-families, step-parents. Conversely, ongoing marital and family problems can.