About half of marriages today end up in divorce – whether the issues were money, adultery, or parenting. Some of the details surrounding these issues could be simply avoided by practicing effective communication, while others are more complex. Can premarital counseling help you have a successful marriage?

Although it’s difficult to measure, some studies have suggested that those who participate in premarital counseling have a greater success rate. As someone who works with couples, I see the benefit of premarital counseling. It affords each person the opportunity to discuss and deal with problems early, before they turn into irreconcilable differences.

Each couple is different; some come to therapy at the first sign of a speed bump, others wait until there’s little to no hope left, and others still don’t come at all. Those couples that decide to participate in couple’s therapy at the first sign of trouble are generally the ones who gain the most.

Why is that?

These couples have decided that they need the help of an un-biased third party to help them determine the best way to fix their relationship. This is before the resentment has set in, making the couple more susceptible to making changes in their behavior. It’s important to take control of the issues in your marriage while they’re still relatively small before they turn into something that seems out of your control.

Why Don’t More Couples Seek Premarital Counseling?

Because I can’t answer for every couple in the world, it’s my educated opinion that many couples avoid this out of fear. No one wants to hear that how he or she does things is wrong, or how they communicate is ineffective. But, learning this early increases your chances of a successful marriage.

We all need help from time to time and there’s nothing shameful about that. Making your relationship work is important and should be treated as such. Couples therapy is a great way to get to know yourself and your partner better, and learn how to keep the little things from becoming big things.

Frequently Asked Question’s: 

What is pre-marriage counseling?

Pre-marriage counseling is a type of therapy that helps engaged couples prepare for marriage. It focuses on improving communication, identifying potential conflict areas, discussing core values and expectations, and building healthy relationship skills. The goal is to strengthen the foundation of the relationship before entering into a lifelong commitment.

How long before the wedding should you do premarital counseling?

Ideally, couples should begin premarital counseling 3 to 6 months before the wedding. This allows enough time to complete the sessions without the added pressure of last-minute wedding planning. Some couples start even earlier, especially if they anticipate needing more time to work through specific issues.

Is pre-marriage counseling worth it?

Yes, many couples find it highly beneficial. Pre-marriage counseling can help uncover unspoken expectations, improve communication, and give partners tools to handle challenges that may arise later in the marriage. Research shows it can reduce the risk of divorce and increase marital satisfaction.

How much is pre-marital counseling?

The cost varies depending on the provider, location, insurance and number of sessions. Contact us for an accurate quote. 

Take Care,

Dr. Nicole