5 Benefits of Premarital Counseling
Deciding who you will spend the rest of your life with is one of the most serious decisions you will ever make. Planning a wedding requires a lot of time, energy, and money to get all of the details for your big day just right. However, planning for an actual marriage goes far beyond the wedding day. If you and your future spouse would like to build a love that lasts a lifetime, consider the following benefits to seeking premarital counseling:
Provides an Opportunity to Address Issues
Oftentimes, having necessary conversations about serious marriage topics can be uncomfortable and challenging for couples to navigate alone. Premarital counseling is a great opportunity to discuss various issues that could impact your future marriage, such as handling finances, plans to have children, roles and expectations, and sex and intimacy. Discussing these topics before saying “I do” prepares you for what to expect and helps foster longevity in your marriage.
Builds Communication Skills
Successful marriages need strong communication skills. It is important that each partner be able to express their own needs and desires while being active listeners to their spouse’s needs and desires as well. Premarital counseling helps couples learn the skills to better communicate and understand each other, which leads to fewer misunderstandings and less frustrations in the marriage.
Teaches Conflict Resolution Skills
Conflict is a normal part of every marriage. Since no two people will agree on everything, disagreements are inevitable. Premarital counseling provides couples with effective tools for navigating conflict in healthy and productive ways.
Resolve Past Issues
Unresolved issues from the past can bring unhealthy baggage into a marriage. Keeping secrets hinders trust and intimacy in the relationship, which is why it is best to be open and honest with one another. Premarital counseling gives couples the opportunity to openly discuss any past issues, trauma, fears, or hurt that would otherwise go unspoken.
Lowers the Chance of Divorce
Studies show that 50% of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Some of the top reasons for divorce are infidelity, lack of intimacy, financial troubles, and poor communication. Premarital counseling decreases the chance of a marriage ending in divorce by 31%. Research also shows that couples who engage in premarital counseling report higher levels of satisfaction in their marriage.
Premarital counseling provides a safe space for couples to have the necessary conversations before marriage. With the help and guidance of a trained counselor, couples are able to build a strong foundation for a happy, thriving marriage. Begin your journey together and schedule your appointment today!
About the Author
Sharletta Tennie is a counseling intern at Be Inspired Counseling and Consulting. She is pursuing her M.A in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. After graduation, she plans on pursuing her LPC licensure. Sharletta is also a certified SYMBIS assessment facilitator.
Other Services Offered at Be Inspired
Couples therapy isn’t the only service provided at our Alexandria, LA and Natchitoches, LA locations. We also offer online therapy, trauma therapy, grief counseling, and anxiety treatment. In addition, we also offer couples counseling and teen counseling. Feel free to visit our consulting services, FAQ, or blog pages for helpful info!