Premarital Counseling
In the midst of all your wedding preparations, have you forgotten to prepare for your marriage? Our premarital counseling in the Birmingham, AL area could be for you!
Research shows that premarital counseling reduces the likelihood of divorce by up to 30%.
In a culture where 50% of marriages end up in divorce, an investment in premarital counseling is vital.
Our therapists provide counseling to couples who wish to marry in order to best prepare them for the union of marriage. This focused counseling experience can help you resolve any differences before the marriage is sealed, thus preventing future conflict and strife.
How Does Premarital Therapy or Counseling Help?
Many couples avoid difficult topics until after their wedding, assuming that the seal of marriage will offset conflicts. However, addressing difficult topics – money, sexual expectations, children – before marriage can assist you in building a relationship that is satisfying to both of you for a very long time. While it may be challenging to highlight difference right before a union, the short-term lack of comfort will far outweigh the potential hurt of postponing addressing difficult topics until the future.
Counseling Helps You Understand Each Other’s Communication Styles
One of the most important benefits of premarital counseling is in improving communication. It is important to identify the communication style similarities and differences between you and your partner. Great skill in communication will allow you to weather the inevitable storms of marriage. Great communications skills will hasten resolutions in the future and give you and your partner the skill of knowing when to compromise. Communication skills are a focus in marriage counseling as well.
Confront Fears About Marriage
Fears about marriage and what it may involve are common. Counseling prior to marriage will allow you to approach your fears with confidence and knowledge that a third person is there with you and your partner to help you navigate difficult topics. Topics usually dealt with in therapy include sex, children, finances, in-laws, dealing with disagreements, spirituality, and household organization.
What is discussed in premarital counseling?
Premarital counseling and therapy focuses on learning how to improve your communication. It broaches many not yet discussed topics and explores how you and your future spouse would handle those topics.
In premarital counseling, you can expect to discuss things like:
- Finances
- Children
- Roles/responsibilities in the home
- Sex
- Religion and other values
- Decision making processes
- How you’ll deal with conflict
- Time you will spend together
Discussing expectations can help bring to light any misconceptions and essentially clear the air before taking the plunge. This allows for a greater support and understanding between you and your partner as you embark on this journey.
Enter your marriage with joy and confidence by contacting us today to schedule an appointment!
Resources
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the prevention, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders.
Freedom from Fear
Freedom From Fear is a national not-for-profit mental health advocacy association who seek to impact the lives of people affected by anxiety, depression, and related disorders.
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead Federal agency for research on mental and behavioral disorders. NIMH works to improve mental health through biomedical research on mind, brain, and behavior.
Premarital & Couples Counseling Articles
Marriage Counseling vs. Couples Counseling: Is there any difference?
Marriage counseling and couples counseling are closely related therapeutic approaches aimed at addressing relationship issues. They do, however, differ in their scope, goals, and methods.
How long does couples counseling take?
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Couples counseling is an exciting and evolving form of therapy
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