Premarital Counseling
You’re right on track.
The venue, the caterer, the photographer, and the DJ have all been booked. You have beautiful wedding rings and wonderful music selected for the ceremony.
The dress is stunning, and the flowers have been ordered. You also have plane tickets to a fantastic place for your honeymoon.
You have been waiting for this day your whole life, and it has been planned down to the finest detail.
But have you forgotten something? Oh yes, the marriage!
Being prepared for a wedding is not the same thing as being prepared for marriage.
Research conclusively shows that couples who succeed gain the knowledge they need before they settle into destructive patterns that often lead to divorce.
Couples are 31% less likely to get divorced if they get some pre-marriage training before they marry. In addition, couples who participate in premarital counseling experience a 30% increase in marital success and fulfillment over those who do not.
76% of married couples say they wish they had done premarital counseling. 86% of Americans over 18 say all couples considering marriage should get premarital education.
Couples who do not receive premarital counseling are more likely to see their problems as atypical and unsolvable. 41% of divorced couples claim that the lack of premarital preparation contributed to their divorce.
Why is premarital counseling necessary?
- Improves Communication: It helps couples develop healthy ways to express feelings, resolve conflicts, and understand each other better. It also encourages discussions about finances, values, expectations, and other essential topics that may cause tension later and teaches couples how to handle disagreements constructively.
- Sets Realistic Expectations: Encourages honest conversations about roles, responsibilities, and challenges in marriage, helps couples build emotional connections, discusses expectations for intimacy, and prepares them for life changes by helping them learn how to address transitions like merging finances, living together, career changes, or starting a family.
- Reduces Risk of Divorce: Research suggests that couples who receive premarital counseling are less likely to divorce. It also provides a safe space to discuss concerns while receiving guidance to work through fears, doubts, or differences before marriage.
How does premarital counseling work?
Using the SYMBIS assessment, I will work with you to gain insight into the unique challenges that you may face in your marriage. This assessment catalyzes personalized insight and explores how you can leverage your unique combination of personalities for lifelong love.
The SYMBIS assessment contains more than 12 question types and nearly 300 questions. Each partner should take it separately, it takes approximately 35 minutes, and it can be completed on virtually any device.
Some topics that we will cover include the following:
Marriage mindset, Well-being & self-concept, Maturity/Independence, How stress affects each of you and how it is handled, Psychological caution flags, Expectations, Family histories & baggage, Social support, In-law relationships, Cultural context, Spiritual beliefs, Finances, Roles/Personalities/Love/Sex, Attitudes & happiness, Communication, Bridging the gender gap, Conflict management, Re-marriage (if relevant), and Blending a family (if applicable).
You got this!
Together, using the SYMBIS assessment and therapy personalized for you, we will create a foundation on which you can build a satisfying and lifelong marriage.
For more information on premarital counseling, contact me today.
