Premarital Counseling
Premarital Counseling offers engaged or seriously dating couples the opportunity to have an intentional discussion with a therapist to strengthen their relationship and address topics many couples avoid, yet that affect relational satisfaction. As PREPARE/ENRICH-certified Facilitators, our therapists use their extensively researched, reliable assessment to help committed couples gain a deeper understanding of their relational dynamics and individual personalities, which influence their relationship strengths, stressors, and growth areas.
Premarital counseling can be conducted either as a one-session intensive lasting several hours or as weekly couples therapy sessions, with each session focusing on a different topic. This counseling can take place in-person at our therapy offices in Lansing, MI, or via telehealth from the comfort of your home. Below, you will find some commonly discussed topics in premarital counseling, along with what to expect from a session.
What to Expect from Premarital Counseling
Premarital Counseling is an opportunity for you to talk about the unspoken topics or dynamics of your relationship.
Communication
Communication is the foundation of effective Premarital Counseling and overall relational satisfaction.
Finances
Because finances are a top relational stressor for couples, learning how to talk about and manage money together is a key step in preparing your relationship for success.
Intimacy
Intimacy involves both sexual and emotional connection, and the patterns a couple develops early in their relationship are often repeated throughout their marriage unless they are intentionally changed.
Family Boundaries
Navigating family boundaries is a common stressor for couples early in marriage. Discussing how to create healthy boundaries and relationships equips couples to handle these tensions more effectively.
Faith & Values
Our faith and values shape who we are and what matters most to us in life. Talking about them as a couple helps you better understand one another, especially when your values differ.
Your Questions, Answered
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Premarital counseling can be conducted in a variety of ways, depending on the needs of the couple. Some couples prefer weekly sessions for a couple of months to discuss topics throughout their engagement, while others prefer an intensive, meeting with their therapist for a couple of hours in a single day.
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Premarital therapy isn't solely for couples facing problems. It resembles a home inspection, helping you identify potential relationship issues early on so you can address them proactively. Instead of being caught off guard by challenges, couples can anticipate and manage them together using the skills gained from premarital counseling.
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The reality is that you and your partner likely already disagree on certain issues, whether it's about money, faith, or other topics. Premarital counseling can help couples work through their disagreements, providing a roadmap for navigating future conflicts together.
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Premarital counseling is beneficial for all couples, regardless of their faith or beliefs. It focuses on issues important to couples, drawing on research that highlights factors linked to declining relationship satisfaction or unhealthy dynamics. You do not need to be a Christian or be in a mixed-belief relationship to gain from premarital counseling.
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Premarital counseling can be conducted intensively over a few hours, so there is no strict timeline requirement. If your wedding date is approaching and you want to schedule something quickly, feel free to email Matt Levergood.
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Premarital counseling can be conducted in person, virtually, or through a hybrid approach. Simply inform your therapist of your preference, and they will do their best to accommodate.
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You can get started by scheduling a free 15 min consultation or by emailing Matt Levergood. Reach out to find out availability. If you want an intensive, reach out as soon as possible to ensure our therapists are available.