I went to couples counseling with my ex. He wasn't AS bad as some others I have heard about but he was certainly manipulative and emotionally abusive in his own ways. In therapy, he did amazing, showed up early to every meeting, completed every assignment, participated and shared, and he would be great for a few days. But then he would go back to the way he was within a week or two before the next session. I don't know if people can change.