Are you and your partner looking to take your relationship to the next level?

Did you just get engaged?

Are you a newlywed?

When you’re considering marriage, planning your wedding day, deciding on your honeymoon or figuring out where you want to live are among the first things you start to think about. Premarital counseling might be last on your list, if it’s there at all. While it’s not an engagement topic that’s very fun or romantic, premarital counseling can set your marriage up to succeed and survive long-term, in spite of the odds.

Premarital counseling can help you and your significant other improve your relationship by helping you develop better communication skills, learn conflict management, uncover your shared core values as well as identify differences that could create future conflict. Working with a therapist, you can discuss expectations with your partner that will help better prepare both of you for marriage.

So if these sound like you:

•   You and your partner have arguments that don’t get resolved
•   You feel like you’re always the one who has to compromise to keep the peace
•   You’re concerned about how your partner’s financial situation will affect you as a married couple
•   You’re worried about losing affection or having a diminished sex life after marriage
•   You want to find healthier ways to resolve conflict
•   You want to resolve religious or financial differences
•   You want to define your marital roles and expectations

… Then premarital counseling can be a great benefit to both you and your partner.

The intimate nature of marriage requires talking to your partner about everything, no matter how awkward or uncomfortable. Premarital counseling will help you learn how to be a better listener, and how to make your voice and needs heard in a productive and positive manner.

Premarital counseling will also help you learn how to manage differences in your marriage. When you live with someone, you will have disagreements ranging from the very mundane to more serious issues. How you manage these will be a part of the story of how you are as a couple. Learn how to de-escalate arguments and how to fight fairly, so you don’t cause emotional pain from things you said that you’ll never be able to take back.

In pre-marital counseling, topics that you’ve discussed with your partner previously, as well as subjects you hadn’t considered before will come up. With fresh perspectives from an objective third party you will uncover new details from your partner. This is also an excellent time to find unexpected areas where you disagree, and learn tools to handle possible future conflict.

Getting married is one of life’s most treasured experiences. Premarital counseling can help you and your partner turn that momentous occasion into a loving, lasting relationship. For guidance and support to strengthen your future marriage, please contact us today so we can schedule an appointment.