by Carlene Lehmann, M.A., LMFT
Are you curious about premarital counseling?
If you’re engaged or thinking about getting engaged soon, it’s a good idea to consider premarital counseling. Many couples believe that they should only see a therapist if something is going seriously wrong in the relationship. The reality is, if you seek assistance once things are at a breaking point, you might just be too late. 
That’s why it’s such a good idea to schedule premarital counseling. Relationships Matter Austin provides compassionate, focused counseling that is designed to fit the individual needs of your partnership. In a series of sessions, you can lay the groundwork for a successful marriage and even decrease your chances of divorce in the years to come. Not sure how premarital counseling could benefit you?
Here are the top five benefits of premarital counseling:
1) Confront the Current Conflicts
Every couple has points of disagreement or areas of life where they don’t necessarily see eye to eye. The tendency in long term relationships can be to sweep these issues under the rug, in hopes that they will resolve themselves. Unsurprisingly, this rarely works. In premarital counseling, you can take the time to really sink into those issues in a safe environment. The sooner you learn how to have the difficult conversations with grace, the better your marriage will be.
2) Face the Uncomfortable Issues
There are also a few fundamental issues that can cause conflict and misunderstanding in the majority of marriages: money, sex, children, and religion. If you haven’t had big discussions about what your needs and desires are in all of those areas, you’ll want to take time to dig into them fully during premarital counseling. Once you address these core areas, you can know you’re both on the same page and have a stable foundation moving forward. 
3) Sharpen Your Communication Skills
The truth is, you cannot always anticipate what conflicts or issues are going to arise in your marriage. But what you can prepare for is the communication skills you’ll need to resolve any crisis. Positive and productive communication is one of the most important qualities of a marriage that is built to last. In premarital counseling, you can learn the latest approaches that can help you communicate in a positive way. By building these communication skills, you can be prepared when difficulties arise.
4) Recognize How the Past is Influencing Your Present
Another great opportunity that premarital counseling offers you is the chance to explore the frameworks for marriage that you were exposed to as a child and young adult. Your parents and social groups can have a powerful influence on the expectations and perspectives you currently take on how your marriage should work. Exploring what those expectations and perspectives are, and understanding your partner’s, is key to a successful and happy marriage moving forward.
5) Develop a Shared Vision for Your Future
In the challenges of day to day life, it can become easy get focused on the details and lose track of the big picture. This can become even truer when you’re in the midst of planning a wedding. Premarital counseling is a great opportunity to discuss your personal vision for the years ahead, hear what your partner imagines, and find the biggest points of connection. The sooner the two of you learn how to support one another in your personal goals and keep your ship pointed to your shared vision of the future, the more likely it is that your marriage will be a happy and healthy one.
Premarital counseling can help you build a strong foundation for a happy and close marriage
If you’re looking for a way to ensure that your marriage has a bright future, there’s probably no better step you can take than signing up for premarital counseling.
Carlene Lehmann, M.A., LMFT is a Marriage and Family Therapist at Relationships Matter Austin in Austin, Texas. Carlene is an experienced counselor who can help you calm any premarital nerves and build a solid foundation for your relationship in the years to come. To schedule your appointment with Carlene, you can reach her at (512) 994-0432 or request an appointment with her on the Relationships Matter Austin Scheduling Page to set your first appointment.
