There are numerous reasons why engaged couples may hope to consider counseling, and it is vital to remember that attending counseling sessions does not point to a bad relationship. In reality, the eagerness to work through problems or examine diverse issues that will strike their marriage shows the level of commitment the couple shares and can help reinforce their tie even before they walk down the aisle. Counseling can also support couples to determine if they are prepared to get engaged, and it can aid them in deliberating concerns they may not have considered beforehand.
While relationship and premarital counseling is sensible for every engaged couple, those who face more grave issues may particularly want to ponder counseling or therapy. Couples who may be notably in need of counseling include:
* Remarkably young couples. There is no proper age to get engaged for every couple, but very young couples with fewer adult and relationship experiences may want to consider counseling to guarantee they are prepared for a lifelong commitment.
* Couples of opposite faiths. Obtaining religious or spiritual counseling can aid couples to bring their faiths together into a supportive religious relationship to nurture their marriage.
* Couples with abusive pasts or abusive family histories. Even if the abuse was finished long before the couple met, knowing that history and working through the old emotions can help couples know one another and learn how to be reassuring. Note: If couples have experienced abuse in their own relationship, they ought to search for extensive counseling before they get engaged to confirm their issues are resolved and they can move on without abusing one another.
* Couples with special life circumstances. Psychological disorders, medical concerns, long distance engagements, and other special circumstances can be unruly, and counseling can help couples hold their engagement without letting these circumstances be obstacles to their happiness. Additional types of counseling are handy for even more specific concerns, such as money, self esteem, substance abuse, and other issues that could be reflected in the couple's relationship.
Types of Couples Counseling
There are some types of counseling available to engaged couples, from fundamental premarital counseling to specialized sessions that can help them get support for any issues in their relationship.
Premarital Counseling
Premarital counseling may be required by law in some states or by the couple's faith. These two types of premarital counseling can be very opposite, but they are both worthwhile for couples planning a life together.
* Secular Premarital Counseling: If couples should attend counseling by law, the sessions usually incorporate primary advice on family planning, finances, communication, the legal definition and responsibilities of marriage, and other issues worthwhile to engaged couples. In various states that insist on counseling, couples may be able to elude the requisite if they have been previously married or if their nuptials are scheduled after a determined waiting period.
* Religious Premarital Counseling: Faith-based counseling may be necessary by different churches in order to have a lawful clergy perform the marriage ceremony. Counseling sessions often incorporate discussions of the role of religion in marriage, the responsibilities of married couples, the value of communication with one another and with God, and how to seek assistance from the church to settle conflicts.
Therapy Counseling
A few types of therapy counseling can be worthwhile to engaged couple if the issues addressed directly impact their relationship.
* Substance Abuse: This class of counseling may be for individuals who have abused drugs and alcohol or for their significant others. Ways to stay clean, how to handle the consequences, and different issues are frequently highlighted in supportive ways.
* Medical Counseling: If one person in the couple suffers from a physical circumstance, sickness, or handicap that requires therapy or unique care, the couple can attend counseling sessions to determine how to cope with the circumstance and how to work together as a loving, understanding couple.
* Emotional Counseling: Family abuse, disputes, deprivation, and other issues can lead to emotional problems that may demand counseling. If a couple attends this class of counseling together, they can help one another get support for these issues to lead a happy, complete life.
Specialized Counseling
Other specialized counseling that can be profitable for engaged couples include:
* Financial Counseling: These sessions examine creating a personal budget, directing debt, controlling credit cards, retirement plan, investing, and other monetary issues that can act upon the couple's marriage.
* Family Counseling: If either the bride- or groom-to-be has children from a past relationship, attending family counseling can aid the children to settle into the new family and help the couple learn how to be parents together. Ideally, couples need to resolve parenting issues before they walk down the aisle.
* Parenting Counseling: If the couple hopes to start their family right away or if they are already pregnant, counseling sessions for eager parents can help them prepare for adding a new family member to their relationship.
* Career Counseling: Planning career paths, selecting a new career, and additional issues can help couples feel safe not only in their relationship, but also in their professional paths as they start their lives together.
Arranging Counseling
If premarital counseling is necessary before a couple marries, their nearby church or marriage license office can often suggest accessible resources. For more secular counseling services, couples should ask doctors, therapists, and other resources to find the best services for their particular needs. Counseling sessions may be weekly or monthly continuing programs, one day workshops, weekend retreats, or other formats, but the end outcome is the same: helping them prepare for an enduring relationship.
Should engaged couples go to counseling? Only the couple can determine how to answer, but proper professional assistance for working out problems and plotting a stronger relationship can only help aid every couple willing to attend counseling before they walk down the aisle.