Sometimes a couple know they want to break up, but are finding it impossible to manage the transition. It might be too painful, there might be too much conflict, trust may have been damaged. It's rare that a breakup is painless for everyone involved and that's a hard fact that has to be faced.
Working things out in couples counselling, with an impartial counsellor, can help to make sure that:
everyone gets heard
needs are addressed
agreement is reached