Marriage is a huge commitment a couple has to face for a lifetime. Expect to feel a lot of stress pressure and challenges along the way. Planning your wedding, for example, can be stressful, especially for the bride. The stress of getting married does not end in choosing the perfect bridal gown to wear in Provo, for example. You likely have to deal with more significant issues after you tied the knot.
You and your partner should be ready for a big commitment. You may consider having a meaningful talk before you walk down the aisle. Forty-four percent of couples do this through premarital counseling, a type of therapy that prepares you for marriage.
Increasing the Chances of Having a Happy Marriage
Data show 10.9 percent of all Americans age 15 and older are divorced. Couples decide to end their marriage for different reasons, including a lack of commitment. Having premarital counseling may help couples maintain a happy marriage, which is what 93 percent of Americans want. Couples who undergo premarital counseling increase their marital success rate by 30 percent.
Premarital counseling aims to help improve your relationship before marriage. Your therapist will encourage you and your partner to discuss marriage-related topics, including finances, beliefs and values, communication, and desire to have children.
This type of counseling will also help you and your partner to improve how you communicate with each other. It can also teach you how to set realistic expectations for marriage and develop skills to resolve conflicts. You may learn how to establish a positive attitude about seeking help during your married life.
Receiving Premarital Counseling
Some couples choose to skip counseling before marriage because of money issues. Experts, however, encourage them to think of the long-term benefits this therapy offers to you as couples. Marriage should be a lifetime commitment, so you must be ready to commit to it.
You may ask your friends or relatives to recommend a reliable therapist. Consider asking the person marrying you for recommendations, as well. Officiants and clergy often offer these services. But a psychologist or a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) is an ideal option.
To determine if the therapist is what you need, ask specific questions like education, experience, treatment plan, and fees. You may also ask if the therapist would accept your insurance.
During the session, you and your partner are likely to answer a written questionnaire separately. This questionnaire helps determine how you feel about each other and your relationship. Your answers will also help the therapist identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential problem areas in your relationship. You and your therapist will discuss these matters together. You will have to set goals with your partner to help overcome conflicts.
Since marriage is a lifetime commitment, preparing yourselves is crucial before you give your vows at the altar. Although this is optional, couples should still consider it to help them enjoy a happy marriage. It will benefit your relationship with your partner. It can also save your children from the pain caused by an unhealthy relationship between parents or in some cases, divorce.
