Some people believe relationship counseling is a waste of time, because - regarding marriage, for example - "when it's over, it's over".  That's only true because the parties waited too long, their hurts have become too painful, and they no longer love or respect each other.  The same holds true for parent-child relationships.

Let's face facts.  People don't "grow out of" relationship problems.  For example most men don't suddenly change when they become dads.  In difficult relationships resentment and bitterness can fester and slowly erode the love that used to be.  As one writer puts it, "emotions are not bio-degradable".  The anger, tension, and sadness that go with bad relationships don't go away if they are ignored.

The best strategy is to address problems before they become unmanageable.  Then it's not a waste of time.