PREMARITAL
COUNSELING
Prepare for the journey of marriage.
What is Premarital Counseling?
Premarital counseling is a proactive and preventative approach for couples who are planning to get married or enter into a long-term committed relationship. This type of counseling helps couples identify and address potential issues that may arise in their relationship, regardless of whether or not they are currently experiencing problems. Its goal is to establish a strong and healthy foundation for couples' future together.
Each premarital counseling session is tailored to the couple's unique needs and concerns. Counselors work with couples to identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop a personalized plan to address any areas of concern.
Premarital counseling can be a valuable investment in a couple's future, helping them build a strong and lasting relationship. Studies have shown that premarital counseling can reduce the likelihood of divorce by as much as 30 percent. With this approach, couples are able to identify potential roadblocks, develop strategies for navigating them, and enjoy a smoother and more enjoyable journey through their married life.
“A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.”
— Dave Meurer
Premarital counseling takes a holistic approach to relationship health, addressing a wide range of topics. The topics covered in premarital counseling can vary depending on the needs and concerns of the couple. A personalized plan can be created that addresses their specific areas of concern. Some of the topics that can be addressed are:
Communication: Premarital counseling can help couples learn to communicate and listen openly, honestly, and effectively with one another.
Conflict resolution: Conflicts are inevitable in any relationship, but learning how to resolve them in a constructive and respectful way is crucial for a successful marriage. Premarital counseling can teach couples conflict resolution skills and strategies.
Financial management: Premarital counseling can help couples learn how to manage their finances together and develop a plan for their financial future.
Family planning: Premarital counseling can help couples discuss their expectations and values around family planning and child-rearing.
Sex and intimacy: Premarital counseling can help couples discuss their expectations and desires around sex and intimacy, as well as explore strategies for maintaining a healthy and fulfilling sexual relationship.
Values and beliefs: Premarital counseling can provide a space for couples to explore their individual values and beliefs, as well as discuss how those values may impact their relationship.
Roles and responsibilities: Premarital counseling can help couples discuss and define their expectations around household chores, careers, and other areas of responsibility.
Trust and commitment: Premarital counseling can help couples explore what trust and commitment mean to them, and develop strategies for building and maintaining trust over time.
Common Topics Covered in Premarital Counseling
Emotional intelligence: Premarital counseling can help couples develop emotional intelligence skills to recognize and manage one's own emotions, as well as understand and respond to the emotions of others to improve communication and conflict resolution in their relationship.
Cultural and religious differences: Premarital counseling can help couples explore and discuss their differences, and develop strategies for navigating them in a respectful and constructive way.
Expectations for the future: Premarital counseling can help couples explore and articulate their individual goals and aspirations for the future, as well as develop a shared vision for their life together.
Boundaries: Premarital counseling can help couples discuss and define boundaries around communication, personal space, and other areas of their relationship.
Family dynamics: Premarital counseling can help couples discuss their families of origin and any potential challenges or conflicts that may arise as they navigate their relationships with their families.
Decision-making: Premarital counseling can help couples develop decision-making strategies and learn to make choices that are in the best interest of their relationship.
Stress management: Premarital counseling can help couples develop stress-management strategies, as well as learn to support one another during challenging times.
Social support: Premarital counseling can help couples identify and cultivate supportive friendships and relationships outside of their partnership.
Don't leave the success of your marriage to chance.
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No, you don’t have to be engaged to attend premarital counseling. Premarital counseling for partners who are committed to investing in their relationship and are open to working together to build a strong foundation for their future together.
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Generally, premarital counseling can range from a few sessions to several months of ongoing sessions. The number of sessions can depend on the specific counseling approach used, as well as the level of commitment and participation from both partners.
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Yes, for 50 minute sessions. We will submit your insurance claims the same as marriage therapy.
Click here for more information on insurance and fees. -
it's never too late to start premarital counseling. The best time to start premarital counseling is when the couple has made a commitment to getting married or entering into a long-term committed relationship. Ideally, couples should begin counseling at least 6 months before their wedding or before making any major life changes together. This allows them enough time to work through any issues that may arise during counseling and to implement any strategies or changes.
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The success rate of premarital counseling is difficult to quantify, as it depends on various factors such as the specific issues addressed, the therapist's approach, and the couple's willingness to actively participate and apply the strategies learned in counseling. However, research suggests that couples who participate in premarital counseling are more likely to report higher relationship satisfaction and a lower likelihood of divorce compared to those who do not receive premarital counseling.