When you and your partner begin premarital counseling, your counselor will want to get to know you both as well as your relationship. In order to accomplish this, they will ask questions around the following:
- Common interests and activities
- Marital expectations
- Budget and Finance
- Children and parenting
- Intimacy
If there is a particular area that they feel needs to be explored further (for example, you note that you and your partner have very different spending habits and views on money), they’ll guide the conversation in the given direction.
Premarital Counseling and Therapy – Counselors and Therapy in Charlotte
Discussing your relationship and your future is never a bad idea, and it can only reveal truth and topics for deeper discussion. In some states, those wishing to get married under the age of 18 must conduct premarital counseling by law. While it is not required by law for most of us, it is always beneficial.
If you require or could benefit from premarital counseling, reach out to Thriveworks Charlotte today for help. We offer evening and weekend sessions, provide same-week appointments, and accept most major insurances.
When Should We Start Premarital Counseling?
Whether premarital counseling is required or not, it is always helpful. Whether you have a week before the wedding, or you haven’t set a date yet, we can help your marriage begin in the most healthy way possible. In fact, some couples seek “pre-engagement” counseling in order to determine whether that next step of wedding planning should even be considered.
If you or your partner is uncertain of the next step in your relationship, seeking counseling is a wonderful way to explore these feelings and help your relationship move forward. Being scared of commitment seems to almost be an epidemic today. Premarital counseling can help you discover what the blocks to commitment may be, and what personal issues and fears a partner is bringing to the relationship.
Common Topics in Premarital Counseling
Many couples are unprepared for the number of compromises and decisions that will have to be made in a marriage. There are many issues to discuss, whether a couple is in their first or thirtieth year of marriage.
A professional at Thriveworks Charlotte Premarital Counseling will help you and your partner discuss many of these in advance, such as:
- Common interests and leisure activities
- Role expectations
- Communication styles
- Religion and worship attendance
- Household duties and expectations
- Budget and finance
- Children and parenting styles
- Public or private education
- Sexuality and intimacy
- Needs for space and privacy
- Where the family unit will reside
- Finances and debt
- Occupations and careers
- Holiday expectations and travel
- Relationships with extended family and in-laws
This is a long list, but it is not even close to exhaustive! Blending two lives together is not easy, and requires compromise and change of both spouses.
Benefits of Premarital Counseling
Many studies have shows that premarital counseling is beneficial for the relationship and can help minimize fears and anxiety. Being in an open and honest environment where communication is encouraged and expected can help foster growth and emotional health for both members of the relationship.
As with most types of therapy and counseling, some of the benefits include:
- Confidence and assertiveness
- Patience
- Avoiding dependency and co-dependency
- Having realistic expectations of others
- Contentment
- Developing coping skills
- Creating healthy communication skills
- Uncovering past hurts and pain
- Identifying serious underlying issues or difficulties
Schedule Thriveworks Charlotte Premarital Counseling
Thriveworks premarital counselors are ready and willing to help you achieve your goals for your upcoming wedding. We believe that it is important to have appointments available and be ready when you are ready to contact us. We pride ourselves on not having a waiting list, and on getting new clients in for their first appointment within the week of scheduling. We have extended hours and can work around your busy life and schedule.
We understand that calling us may not be an easy decision for you. You may be reluctant to put one more thing on your wedding planning schedule. You have a lot of commitments in your life; a lot of responsibility. Make a commitment to your future and your marriage. We are ready to help.
To reserve your initial session, call us at 980-581-3061. We look forward to hearing from you!
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