Premarital Counseling
Premarital Counseling
Premarital counseling is a type of therapy or counseling that couples engage in before getting married. It is designed to help them prepare for a healthy and fulfilling marriage by exploring their values, beliefs, goals, and expectations.
I remember the buzz of excitement and anticipation leading up to our wedding. Choosing a location. Sampling dishes from a local farm-to-table catering company. Asking our loved ones to play music, sew table runners, and brew cider. We made a pact to focus on our relationship first and to take breaks if wedding planning ever became too stressful. Things were going pretty well, so when my parents proposed the idea of premarital counseling, we felt taken aback, slightly offended, and closed off to the idea.
I imagine we were not the only engaged couple who thought about premarital counseling. For many decades, the dominant narrative in our culture was that premarital counseling was something you needed to do if you wanted to get married in the Catholic Church or if you had obvious relationship issues.
As a bride-to-be and a Marriage and Family Therapist in training, I was aware of these different influences on my opinion and chose to purposefully set them aside. Although we didn’t have serious issues or religious reasons, we decided to give premarital counseling a shot. After all, if I was going to work as a couples therapist and wanted to break down any stigmas around relational health, I better be willing to do some work of my own.
Elevate Your Relationship: Premarital Counseling at Vivi Luxe Hall
Premarital counseling at Vivi Luxe Hall is a powerful process designed to proactively strengthen your relationship during the ideal time of marriage preparation. Instead of waiting until serious issues arise, we encourage couples to use the momentum of this joyful season to deepen and elevate their relationship. Research shows that couples who engage in premarital counseling experience higher relationship satisfaction and greater resilience to stress later on. Additionally, going through premarital counseling when things are going well is a much more enjoyable experience.
At Vivi Luxe Hall, we view premarital counseling as preventative relational healthcare. It’s a powerful tool for building a better relationship and contributing to a happier and healthier life.
Communi
cation
Skills
Conflict resolution strategies
Financial Manage
ment and Planning
Emotional intelli
gence and empathy
Intimacy and sexuality
Family planning and parenting goals
Roles and responsi
bilities in the relation
ship
Cultural and religious differ
ences
Personal values and goals
Building a strong foundation for a healthy marriage
Some common topics we cover in premarital counseling include:
Should You Consider Marriage Counseling?
Take a moment to think about how long you and your partner have been together. While some couples have been together for years, others may have only dated for a few months before getting engaged. Even if you believe you know your partner on an intimate level, many emotionally challenging situations will arise as you spend the rest of your lives together. Since research estimates that 40 to 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce, premarital counseling services may be a wise choice for some couples.
What to Expect
Initial Consultation
During the first meeting at Vivi Luxe Hall, we aim to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for both partners. The initial consultation is an opportunity for us to get to know you as a couple and understand your unique relationship dynamics. We will discuss your relationship history, individual backgrounds, and expectations for the counseling process. This session helps to identify any specific concerns or areas of focus, and it allows us to tailor our approach to meet your needs. By the end of this meeting, you’ll have a clear understanding of how premarital counseling can benefit your relationship and the structure of the sessions to come.
Session Breakdown
Our premarital counseling sessions cover a range of important topics designed to strengthen your relationship and prepare you for a successful marriage:
Communication Skills
Effective communication is the cornerstone of a healthy relationship. We teach techniques for active listening, expressing needs and desires, and resolving misunderstandings.
Conflict Resolution
Every couple faces disagreements. We provide strategies for managing conflict constructively and respectfully, ensuring that disagreements don’t harm your relationship.
Intimacy
Building and maintaining physical and emotional intimacy is essential for a lasting connection. We discuss ways to foster intimacy and keep the romance alive.
Family Dynamics
Understanding each other’s family backgrounds and navigating relationships with in-laws is crucial. We address how to blend family traditions and manage family expectations.
Financial Planning
Money matters can be a common source of stress in marriage. We help you discuss financial goals, budgeting, and managing finances together.
Each session is designed to be interactive and engaging, with practical exercises and real-life scenarios to help you apply what you learn.
Duration and Frequency
At Vivi Luxe Hall, we recommend a series of premarital counseling sessions to provide comprehensive support as you prepare for marriage. Each session typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes, allowing ample time to explore each topic in depth. We suggest scheduling sessions on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to maintain momentum and ensure continuous progress. The total number of sessions can vary depending on your needs, but most couples find that 4 to 5 sessions provide a solid foundation for a successful marriage. The fee for each session is $150.
