I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that it's perpetuating the cycle. you can't tell from the information given. from what he's said he sounds genuine in trying to do what is right but I agree there is a cycle that happens in abuse situations. There is the honeymoon phase following a peak in the abuse where the abuser tries very hard to win the victim's trust back etc.

I was actually going to ask if he's been here before where he feels the way he does and wanted to fix everything since that typically happens repeatedly.

I don't know how I feel with the couples vs individual counseling but I do feel individual counseling regarding himself is definitely a priority tho.