What Is Premarital and Marital Counseling?

Marriage is one of if not the most important commitment in life. It's where you find your truest love and closest companionship. It’s also a decision that should be well-researched, planned for and tackled with care. Couples considering marriage should have realistic expectations of what married life will entail and they need to identify sources of conflict before they walk down the aisle together on their wedding day.  Ultimately, talking through these issues with a couples counselor regardless of you thinking about marriage or you've been married for a while can help strengthen your relationship and create a meaningful life together. 

Dr. John Gottman, a leading couples therapist and researcher, has studied thousands of couples over the last several decades and throguhout all of his data has discovered...

• Half of all divorces occur in the first 7 years

• The average couple waits 6 years before seeking counseling

• Some people think they should stay in unhealthy marriages, but there are consequences:

• There is an increase of contracting a serious illness by 35%.

• People in unhealthy marriages shorten their life span by 4 years. Why? We are not certain. It may be due to chronic diffuse physiological arousal with associated physical and emotional stress that puts wear and tear on the body. Stress can contribute to heart disease, anxiety, depression, violence, psychosis, and substance abuse. In healthy marriages, people are more health conscious. They are more likely to keep after each other to have medical check ups.

• 69% of all marital problems are perpetual. 31% are solvable (source)

What To Expect From Premarital Counseling

One of the main benefits of premarital counseling is that it allows couples to discuss and address potential issues before they become major problems alongside the guidance and support of a premarital counselor. This can include topics such as finances, parenting, sex, and communication styles. As a couple, you'll sit down with a couples therapist who is trained to help you navigate through these conversations. By discussing these issues beforehand, couples can develop a better understanding of each other and establish a stronger foundation for their relationship. One of the best assessments for couples who are considering premarital counseling or looking for marriage counseling is Prepare Enrich. 

Prepare Enrich Assessment

Prepare Enrich is a marital assessment tool that is designed to help couples prepare for marriage and strengthen their relationship. It is a comprehensive tool that covers a wide range of areas that are important for a successful marriage. These areas include: communication, conflict resolution, financial management, sexual intimacy, and family and friends. The assessment also covers personal and relationship strengths and growth areas.

The assessment is completed online, and takes around an hour to complete. Once both partners have completed the assessment, the results are analyzed by a Prepare Enrich trained facilitator that is often also a couples counselor. Once the report has been reviewed, the couples counselor or premarital counselor will provide a summary of the couple's strengths and growth areas, as well as specific suggestions for how to improve their relationship in the midst of their couples counseling. Zac Giparas is Sunshine City Counseling's Prepare Enrich facilitator and works with couples both in our office in St. Petersburg, FL as well as online therapy. 

What is Premarital Counseling and Marriage Counseling?

According to the data, premarital counseling isn't just a "nice to do" but rather should be a "requirement" for the longevity and health of your relationship. So, what is premarital and marital counseling? Premarital and marital counseling is a form of therapy that helps couples prepare for marriage and address issues that may arise within the relationship. It can be extremely beneficial for both individuals and the relationship as a whole. Marriage counseling, or couples counseling, similarly, is a way to ensure the longevity and health of your relationship once you begin to experience disruptions in your attachment and connection. 

Benefits of Premarital Counseling and Marriage Counseling 

Marriage counseling can be incredibly beneficial (and a lot of what we see) for couples who are experiencing difficulties within their relationship. This can include issues such as infidelity, communication breakdowns, lack of intimacy, and conflicts over parenting or finances. Dr. John Gottman states, in his research, that 69% of conflict in relationships is about unresolvable, perpetual problems. 16% of these perpetual issues involve gridlocked couple conflict (source). Premarital and marital counseling helps couples learn how to better communicate with each other, resolve conflicts, and build a stronger, more resilient relationship.

In addition to addressing specific issues, couples counseling and marriage therapy can also help couples develop the skills they need to maintain a healthy relationship. This is what we are all after, ultimately, isn't it? Premarital and Marital counseling will help you learn how to effectively communicate with each other, how to resolve conflicts in a constructive way, and how to maintain intimacy and connection in the relationship. It also is incredibly helpful on an individual basis in gaining a  better understanding of yourself and your needs, as well as how to effectively communicate those needs to your partner. 

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One of the unique features of Prepare Enrich is that it is tailored to the individual couple. This means that the assessment takes into account the specific needs and concerns of each couple, and provides personalized feedback and recommendations. It also includes a section on relationship dynamics, which helps couples understand how their communication and conflict resolution styles may be impacting their relationship. 

Another important aspect of Prepare Enrich is that it encourages couples to engage in open and honest discussions about their relationship. This can be especially helpful for couples who may be struggling with communication or trust issues. By discussing these issues in a safe and supportive environment, couples can develop a deeper understanding of each other and build a stronger, more resilient relationship.

Prepare Enrich is not just for engaged couples, it can also be used by couples who are already married. This can be especially beneficial for couples who are experiencing difficulties or looking to strengthen their relationship. In fact, a majority of what Sunshine City Counseling sees is that couples who have been  married for a few years find so much value in going through our Prepare Enrich course. 

In summary, Prepare Enrich is a comprehensive marital assessment tool that can be beneficial for couples at any stage of their relationship. It covers a wide range of areas that are important for a successful marriage and provides personalized feedback and recommendations. The assessment encourages couples to engage in open and honest discussions about their relationship and can be used in conjunction with couples counseling or therapy.

It is a valuable tool for couples who are looking to strengthen their relationship and build a more resilient and satisfying partnership. Whether you're thinking about marriage or you've been married for a while and looking to grow and strengthen your relationship, Prepare Enrich would be a fantastic next step in the growth and health of your relationship. Schedule your first free session with Zac Giparas at our St. Petersburg, Fl office or for online therapy!