Premarital Counselling
What is Premarital Counselling?
Marriage is an important event in a partnership, and that is why premarital counselling is essential. At Freedom Counselling, we believe in the power of marriage as a partnership that promotes commitment and longevity in a relationship between two people. When a couple decides to get married, it is usually with the best intentions. However, in Canada we see that roughly half of new marriages end in divorce or permanent separation. Beyond the sadness of a broken relationship, if not executed properly divorce can have negative effects on children and is often costly.
Why is Premarital Counselling Important?
Premarital Counselling is important because it lays the foundation for a healthy marriage. It sets couples up with the skills needed for open communication and expectations. There are many reasons why relationships fail, but in Canada it seems the ones most commonly listed are infidelity, a lack of commitment, and basic incompatibility. As we have discussed on our Infidelity and Affairs Issues page, infidelity is a symptom of larger problems in a relationship. This means that the majority of the reasons that cause divorce can be discussed and improved upon prior to marriage.
How Does Premarital Counselling Work?
Through premarital counselling, the couple will be lead through a four pre-marriage sessions and four post-marriage sessions. A myriad of items will be discussed, including personal compatibility, family history, financial planning, and marital expectations. Through this time the couple will be encouraged to discuss openly with their partner to create an open and solid foundation upon which to build their relationship. Following the marriage ceremony, the next four sessions review these topics in light of the new situation and discuss any emerging issues that may occur.
A Helpful Resource
Psychology Today
This article gives a nice overview of premarital counselling and the reasons that it should be considered essential to all couples considering a long-term relationship. Click here to learn more.