Are You Looking for Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship Before Marriage?

• Are there concerns in your relationship that you want to work through before you tie the knot?
• Are you facing challenges in your relationship that make you second-guess your future as a married couple?
• Are your future in-laws incompatibility influencing your relationship with your partner?

It can be an exciting and stressful time as you and your partner are planning to spend the rest of your lives together. As you are making plans for the big day, you may realize things about your relationship that you were unaware of before. You may begin to see each other in different ways. It can be difficult balancing two different sets of values, beliefs, goals and expectations in a relationship that you are hoping will last a lifetime. When you reach these points of disagreement in a relationship, you may begin doubting whether marriage is the right step for you and your partner to take. You may be having difficulty maintaining stability in your relationship. When two people come together, they are also bringing their families together. When families from differing backgrounds combine, there can be rifts between families and between partners. The influence of family members or friends may hinder you and your partner’s ability to problem solve and work through the issues together.

Not All Couples Experience Smooth Sailing Before Marriage

Almost all couples hit difficult points in their relationship that challenge the strength of their commitment. Both partners are individuals who are trying to build a life together. There will be arguments and disagreements, but there will also be times of strength, success and happiness. Issues such as finances, communication, differences in beliefs and values, intimacy and extended family involvement can have a large impact on how you and your partner are able to manage conflict.

Some partners may begin to experience feelings of uncertainty and doubt whether marriage is the right path for them or for their relationship. This can trigger a variety of different emotions that can be hard to manage as you and your partner continue to make important decisions about your future as a married couple.

With the help of a premarital therapist, you and your partner will be able to explore the difficulties and the strengths of your relationship, getting you back on track to creating a happy and healthy life together.

Premarital Counseling Can Help You Prepare Your Relationship for the Long Haul

Couples at any stage face obstacles in their relationships and we at Alkira understand that these challenges can be difficult to manage. The Marriage and Family Therapists at Alkira are trained and experienced in working with couples who are ready to make the commitment of marriage. We utilize a comprehensive and optimistic approach to help you and your partner learn more about your relationship, each other and yourselves. With the help of a premarital therapist, your relationship can grow into a healthy and fulfilling bond to prepare you for your life together.

In our sessions, each partner will be given the space to address areas where they are struggling in the relationship as well as to highlight those areas where they believe they excel. As we explore each individual’s uncertainties, worries and needs, we will maintain a balance between you and your partner which will help you create a better understanding of how you function together. We will work together to identify where you would like your relationship to go as you prepare for marriage.

Premarital counseling will help you and your partner learn more about one another than you may have had time to explore previously. You will engage in exercises that highlight the strengths of your relationship and bring light to areas that have yet to be explored. At the end, you and your partner will leave with certainty about your relationship and will be able to enjoy the final months before you both say “I Do”.

Still feeling hesitant about premarital counseling?

I think premarital counseling will be helpful, but I’ve heard that it is religiously based?

It is assumed that because premarital counseling has its roots in Catholicism, religion must be a part of the counseling process. As true as that may be in some programs, at Alkira we work towards understanding the couples’ idea of their relationship and their marriage. As we work together, if religion happens to be a part of your view of your relationship and marriage, our therapists will help you gain an understanding of that important piece of your relationship. If religion plays a role in a couple’s relationship, that couple is encouraged to define how it fits into their view of marriage.

My partner and I already know everything about each other. How can premarital counseling help us?

Premarital counseling is not just for those who are experiencing difficulties or those uncertain whether their partner is the one. It can also be helpful for couples who feel they know everything there is to know about one another. Premarital counseling is also a good “refresher” and can help reignite the closeness, love and compassion in your relationship. Couples benefit from engaging in exercises that highlight their strengths and the things that are going well in their relationship. Additionally, premarital counseling offers tips and tools couples can use in the future if problems do occur. As time progresses in a relationship, obstacles are faced that challenge the strength of the bond such as having children, intimacy, and financial changes. Couples who have tools to utilize during those difficult times can often overcome the most difficult scenarios.

I think this would be helpful, but isn’t counseling expensive?

By engaging in premarital counseling, you are making a priceless investment in your relationship. You will gain new insight and tools that you can use throughout your life with your partner to constantly renew your relationship. If, however, you are worried about the cost, please contact our office to learn about the cost for 4 sessions, and possibility for reduced rate.

You Can Have a Strong and Happy Marriage

If you’d like to become a client, please click the “Request an Appointment” button at the top of this page.

Testimonials

We have better communication now than we ever had before in our relationship.  -Client

We are mostly able to remain calm even when arguing. -Client

We would not have gotten married if it wasn’t for our time here working on our relationship.  -Former Client