What an exciting time!
Congratulations! You and your partner are in love and experiencing all the joy and excitement that lies between your engagement and wedding. Chances are you’re not giving a lot of thought to any of the issues you’re likely to face once married – issues centering around money, families, children, jobs, or where to live – to name some of the more obvious ones. Premarital Counseling can help you set realistic expectations and develop conflict-resolution skills that will ensure you meet them.
A great investment and a wonderful gift
It’s much more beneficial to explore these issues before you get married than waiting until they’ve become painful misunderstandings. Premarital Counseling also helps couples establish a positive attitude about seeking help down the road. Research shows couples who’ve had Premarital Counseling experience much lower divorce rates than those who have not. It’s a great investment of your time and energy, and a wonderful gift to give each other.
FIVE REASONS TO CONSIDER PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING
1. It will build your communication skills
Premarital Counseling offers you ways to better understand one another. You will each learn how to more clearly express your needs and desires, with compassionate communication skills that will get you through the inevitable tough times.
2. It will provide you with early opportunities to identify issues
Addressing issues before marriage is the best way to ensure a solid foundation for the future. Premarital Counseling provides an opportunity to identify and confront issues before they become serious problems.
3. It will help you plan your future
Premarital Counseling can help you proactively plan for your future by setting financial or family planning goals and then find ways to accomplish those goals. It is the perfect place for you both to express your expectations for married life and your desires for your individual futures as well.
4. It offers you the wisdom gained from the experience of others
When you talk to a marriage counselor, you benefit from a voice of wisdom. Someone sharing what they’ve learned from real-life – in both their practice and their own marriage. In fact, many premarital counselors have struggled with the same issues that plague young couple. Issues like trust, intimacy, and financial matters. They can provide tested advice and essential encouragement.
5. It will help you to discover new things about yourselves
Premarital Counseling offers a great opportunity for you to learn more about yourselves. It’s a safe space for you to share with each other things that they are nervous or upset about with their partners.
PREPARE/ENRICH© Premarital Assessments
Couples often complete a premarital assessment as part of their premarital counseling. Doing it at the outset of your premarital journey can provide each of you with a clear view of your relationship.
I offer PREPARE/ENRICH© to my pre-marital clients. It’s an online assessment tool for couples who want to better understand and improve their relationship.
Premarital assessments can quickly:
- Identify what you do well
- Zero in on what is hard
- Highlight areas that you have not yet discussed
- Provide a format for discussion and practice in skill areas
Learn More About PREPARE/ENRICH© ASSESSMENTS