Counseling Goals

   In premarital counseling, we aim to prepare couples for a lifelong commitment to a Godly marriage. By exploring temperaments, we delve into our God-given tendencies, understanding how our strengths and weaknesses complement each other. This journey reveals your fiancé's needs, providing insights on how to fulfill them. The SYMBIS assessment paints a vivid picture of your future household structure. At the conclusion of premarital counseling, you'll have a deeper understanding of both your fiancé and yourself. In this understanding, grace thrives.

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Premarital Counseling Strategies and Tools

       My Life Counsel's premarital and newlywed counseling utilizes two assessments to prepare couples for their next steps.

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1. Save Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS) assessment examines couples' compatibility and explores everything from your financial outlook to relational dynamics. Read more about SYMBIS here  

2. Temperament Assessment called the Arno Profile System (APS) measures your individual needs, natural traits, strengths, and weaknesses according to temperament. Read more about Temperament Therapy here

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Marriage  

      God intends for everyone to be in a relationship. Understanding God's designated roles for husbands and wives will benefit your future marriage. Read our approach to marriage here​​

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      Premarital counseling can benefit couples in various ways, even if they believe their relationship is strong. Here are several reasons why someone might consider premarital counseling:

 

Communication Improvement:

Premarital counseling provides a safe space for couples to discuss important topics, learn effective communication strategies, and understand each other's communication styles. This can help prevent misunderstandings and enhance overall communication.

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Conflict Resolution Skills:

Couples often face challenges and conflicts. Premarital counseling can teach them valuable skills for resolving disagreements healthily and constructively. Learning how to navigate conflicts early on can strengthen the relationship in the long run.

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Clarification of Expectations:

Individuals often enter marriage with certain expectations about roles, responsibilities, and future plans. Premarital counseling allows couples to openly discuss these expectations, ensuring that both partners are on the same page and reducing the likelihood of surprises later on.

Exploration of Values and Beliefs: Premarital counseling provides a structured environment for couples to explore and understand each other's values, beliefs, and goals. This exploration helps identify potential areas of compatibility or differences that may need attention.

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Prevention of Future Issues:

Addressing potential challenges before marriage can prevent more significant issues from arising later. By identifying and working through potential sources of conflict early on, couples can build a stronger foundation for their relationship.

Building Intimacy: Premarital counseling can help couples develop emotional intimacy by fostering a deeper understanding of each other's emotional needs, vulnerabilities, and desires.

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Preparation for Major Life Transitions:

Marriage often involves significant life changes, such as jointly starting a family or managing finances. Premarital counseling can help couples prepare for these transitions and establish a plan for navigating them together.

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Strengthening Commitment:

Going through the premarital counseling process can reinforce a couple's commitment to each other. It demonstrates a willingness to invest time and effort into the relationship, fostering a sense of security and trust.

Professional Guidance: A trained therapist or counselor can offer objective insights and guidance, providing tools and strategies to help couples navigate challenges. Having a neutral third party can be particularly useful in addressing sensitive issues.

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Legal and Financial Considerations:

Premarital counseling can also involve discussions about legal and financial matters, such as prenuptial agreements, financial planning, and other practical aspects of married life.

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Premarital counseling can be a proactive and positive step for couples, helping them build a strong foundation for a healthy and lasting marriage. It provides an opportunity to address potential challenges, improve communication, and deepen the connection between partners.