Is Premarital Counseling Right for Us as a Couple?
Making the decision to get married is one of the biggest decisions we make in our lives. It's a decision we make with our hearts, one which brings much happiness and joy. But, we don't always know where to go after saying, "YES!" to our partner.
For some couples, premarital counseling is a great next step! Premarital counseling allows you and your partner to learn more about each other and your relationship. During this time you will also learn important skills that will help you communicate more effectively, navigate your differences, and build a strong foundation for your marriage.
Why Might Couples seek Premarital Counseling?
You want the absolute best for your relationship, and you are ready to take the necessary steps to build a strong marriage as you enter this next stage in life.
You're preparing to embark on a new chapter in your life and you want to make sure you're doing everything you can to set your relationship up for success. You're both thrilled to take this next step and start a life together. However, you want to build an even stronger relationship to prepare for a fulfilling future.
Perhaps you have been married before and have some reflection on what it takes to create a lasting marriage. Or, you and your partner may have children of your own and are navigating blending your families together. You want what’s best for not only your partner, but for your family too.
These feelings are all normal and natural. However, it can be tough to know what steps to take next.
Premarital Counseling in Portland, Oregon Is Here To Support You
Premarital counseling is a great way to navigate this new stage in your relationship and become more prepared for the future. Working with a therapist can help you and your partner develop the tools you need to build a strong foundation for your life together.
What is Premarital Counseling?
Premarital counseling is an opportunity for you and your partner to explore your relationship in a safe and supportive space.
I can tell you've been thinking a lot about your marriage and you want this to work. This relationship and your commitment are important to you. You're ready, but you want to make sure you're doing everything you can to prepare for your future together.
Having support during this time can make all the difference.
Premarital counseling helps you prepare for a strong, happy marriage so that you can feel confident and ready for your lifelong commitment together.
Through premarital counseling, you will gain support from a therapist as you create a deeper and more connected relationship. You will learn intimacy-building exercises, effective communication skills, and conflict-resolution strategies. You will also have the opportunity to explore your expectations for marriage as a couple. This may be looking at decision-making, finances, family planning, and more.
Premarital counseling can help strengthen the safety and trust in your relationship and help you navigate your differences. For instance, different religious beliefs, or different views on finances. As your therapist, I will help you plan ahead and iron out some of the important topics together so that both you and your partner can feel confident going into marriage.
How Can Premarital Counseling Help?
Marriage is precious, and you want this to go well. You may be wondering how you can make the joy and love you are currently feeling last a lifetime. So, you're considering premarital counseling as one option for support.
Premarital counseling can help you both learn how to relate in a way you've never known before.
It will help you find a way to navigate any obstacles that come your way and feel more connected emotionally. During this time, you'll learn about each other's strengths and weaknesses and gain a deeper understanding of one another.
But, it will also help you and your partner to feel seen and heard when making decisions that will affect your relationship. With the support of your therapist, you will both explore the "template" of marriage you have both learned from your families and how that can affect your relationship as well.
As a new couple, you may still be learning to navigate the responsibilities of marriage, and possibly parenthood.
Premarital Counseling can help lay a foundation for how you can communicate and make decisions that feel right for each of you. You will learn how to best support one another while honoring your own unique values.
Premarital counseling can help you and your partner develop a deeper level of trust and intimacy so that you can feel confident going into your marriage. As your therapist, I will help you explore the different areas of your relationship and provide guidance on how to strengthen your bond.
Maybe you have been married before, or are blending two families.
Remember, you have a lot of wisdom. You will bring your own unique set of skills, knowledge, and experience to this relationship. Working together with your partner and your therapist in counseling can help you use the knowledge you've gained to create a stronger relationship.
For example, you may have experienced firsthand the effects of divorce on children. You can use this knowledge to help you and your partner build a healthy and secure relationship. Both for your partnership, and your family.
Premarital Counseling Isn't For Everyone
Premarital counseling is an opportunity to invest in your relationship and learn more about yourself and your partner. It can be a wonderful opportunity for couples who are ready to build a strong foundation for their marriage. However, it's not the right fit for every couple.
If you're experiencing individual struggles that are causing issues in your relationship, you may want to seek out individual counseling first. Or, if you and your partner are not on the same page about attending counseling, it may not be the right time for you. This doesn't mean you won't benefit from counseling in the future, it just may not be the right time for you right now.
Are You Ready to Begin Premarital Counseling?
If you and your partner are interested in premarital counseling, please feel welcome to reach out. I’d be happy to answer any questions that you may have and give you more information on my services. I have worked with countless couples at various points in their relationships, and I would be excited to be a part of your journey toward a strong and fulfilling marriage.
Four Steps to a Stronger, Long lasting Marriage, Through Online Premarital Counseling in Portland, Oregon,
1) Request to Talk to a Therapist
Fill out our brief contact form and one of our therapists will contact you within 24-48 hours ( except for holidays). In the meantime, explore FAQs and prepare for any additional questions you may have.
2) Talk to a Therapist and Schedule an online couples counseling session
One of our expert relationship therapists will contact you by phone for a free 15-minute consultation to make sure we're a good fit. Then you'll be able to schedule an online couples counseling session.
3) Share with Us a Little more Background on Your Relationship
We will send you and our partner a secure in-take link to give us some more background information on your situation to help your therapist understand you a bit more so that they can make your first session as effective and helpful as it can be.
4) Have your First Online Couples Counseling Session
Your first session will mostly be assessment in nature, but we do want you to have a good experience and to start learning effective communication tools right away. Most couples experience a sense of relief that they have taken the first steps together towards a better relationship, and feel hopeful to have found a therapist who can help.
Premarital Counseling Services Online in Oregon, Washington, and Illinois.
Since I offer online therapy, I can work with anyone living within the states of Oregon, Washington, or Illinois. Online Premarital Counseling is a very convenient form of therapy for many couples. Though if you have questions, I would be happy to share more information with you.
Other Mental Health Services Offered at Spark Relational Counseling
Online Premarital counseling can be a valuable resource in setting a solid foundation for your relationship. In addition, we understand your needs for support don’t usually fit into one box. At Spark Relational Counseling, we offer a variety of mental health services. For individuals with struggles in anxiety, we offer anxiety treatment at our Portland anxiety clinic. For individuals with immigrant parents, and/or trans-racially adopted adults, we offer culturally sensitive individual counseling, helping you address issues around identity and cultural differences. For professional working women with concerns around dating, we offer Individual therapy for loneliness that helps you feel more confident in building a strong romantic relationship. If you are looking for support for a loved one, we also specialize in couples/marriage counseling. If you are a small business owner, we offer therapy for entrepreneurs to help you navigate the ups and downs of owning a business. Whatever your mental health needs may be, we are here to help.
