Understanding the Benefits of Premarital Counseling in Keller, Texas

Getting married is perhaps one of the most significant commitments we can make in life. There is often a lot of excitement and joy as soon as you pop the question, or as soon as you say, “Yes.” Rose-tinted visions of what the future will be like as you and your partner journey through it together will often come to mind unannounced.

You and your future spouse should also recognize that planning and effort should not merely be applied to the marriage day but should extend far beyond it. This is so that you are better equipped for the future challenges that will invariably arise.

Why consider premarital counseling in Keller, Texas?

It may be that as the good news that you are going to get married spreads, someone in your church invites you to consider premarital counseling, or you know about it already and it is something you are curious about.

Being invited to discuss difficult questions or scenarios in a safe space with a trained facilitator often turns out to be quite useful. And this is no different in premarital counseling sessions taking place before the big day.

These premarital counseling sessions will give you the space to develop and practice problem-solving skills and healthy coping skills. During sessions, the couple will explore and discuss topics that may become a concern.

Discussing difficult and seemingly hypothetical topics allows you both to process potential concerns and become familiar with techniques that you can use to recognize their early signs of development. These techniques can also assist with habit forming to prevent the development of whatever these concerns may be.

At Keller Christian Counseling in Texas, premarital counseling services are offered in person and online and can be used by any couple, even those going through a difficult time.

Practice makes progress

It is fairly common knowledge that no one is perfect, and this is one of the reasons that premarital counseling may well assist both you and your partner, especially as the sessions may help you understand your future life partner better.

Many couples have different answers to questions such as if and when to become parents, how to recognize the love and support of your spouse, or whether you should live in debt or debt-free.

Many times the tools and techniques taught in premarital counseling will help prevent the couple from behaving in a way that will add fuel to the flames should the challenges discussed arise in their relationship.

Review the following list of premarital counseling discussion topics and reflect on how you and your future spouse think about them, and whether you are largely in agreement or not.

• The use and benefit of having joint or individual finances.
• Styles of parenting.
• Style of communication.
• How conflict resolution was modeled while growing up.
• Your decision-making styles.
• Your views on the roles of the wife and husband.

How can you recognize and achieve a healthy marriage?

If you think that having a healthy marriage is an important goal in life, you are not alone. Millions of people share your view, but in our world, the rate of divorce is high.

When a couple attends private premarital counseling sessions studies find that the likelihood of achieving a successful marriage increases by almost a third. It is thought that the process of navigating the hard and unexpected twists and turns of married life is greatly helped by the realistic expectations and healthy communication skills that are taught during premarital counseling.

Some of the ways that you can recognize a healthy marriage are to notice these signs and characteristics:

• Love.
• Respect.
• Honesty and openness.
• Clear communication.
• Healthy boundaries.
• A sense of humor, the joy of fun, laughter.
• Emotional closeness and vulnerability.
• Steadfast commitment and loyalty.

Common therapy styles used in premarital counseling

You and your future spouse are distinct individuals, with different backgrounds and personality types. You will be interested to know that there are a variety of therapy styles a counselor can use when conducting premarital counseling.

Below is a short list and some descriptions of various styles and formats of premarital counseling. After reviewing these approaches, you may be in a better position to select a counseling style that will work for you both and increase the benefits received.

Faith-Based Premarital Therapy in Keller It is possible to run faith-based sessions in a variety of ways – including courses for groups and individual meetings for each person with a religious advisor. As a Christian practice, at Keller Christian Counseling we align our counseling with our faith. Your religious belief will be a significant part of how you approach marriage.

Importantly, if you and your partner differ in your religious beliefs (or even non-beliefs) then it is vital to address these differences during premarital counseling, as this may be a significant warning sign.

Should you enlist a faith-based counselor outside of our practice, it is important to ensure they have a professional qualification, relevant experience, and a license to practice in that state. For example, a particular religious leader may offer premarital counseling and support on a personal level, but may not provide mental health advice. It is a quick process to check your therapist’s license status by contacting your state licensing board.

One-On-One Premarital Counseling By going through one-on-one premarital counseling you will be equipped to handle common barriers to long-term commitment. For example, these barriers could include the fear of commitment, old emotional wounds, lack of self-understanding, personal triggers, or ignorance about your listening style.

Despite the naming convention, one-on-one premarital counseling consists of you, your partner, and the counselor. In this closely facilitated setting, resolving issues where there is conflict, understanding how to set goals together, and being able to identify and avoid future problems are just a few of the many benefits.

How To Ensure That Premarital Counseling Is Successful

Once you and your fiancé decide that professional support is something you both want and will benefit from, there are many ways to make sure you can make the most of the experience. Here are just two:

Accept that premarital counseling may be difficult Do not suppress thoughts and opinions to try to make it appear that both you and your spouse-to-be are completely compatible. Giving the counselor a clear understanding of who you and your spouse are will enable them to give the most suitable advice and support. This will be especially important when you are alone with your spouse and able to use the tools the premarital counseling process has provided.

No winners or losers As someone who is prepared to be vulnerable in front of your future spouse and therapist, you will also need to respect the vulnerability of your spouse. By carelessly bringing up sensitive topics that were discussed in premarital counseling and using them to score points during future arguments, you do both yourself and your partner a disservice.

By focusing on developing relationship skills, you will help your marriage partner and yourself. Do your best to create and enjoy a healthy relationship with both sides of the family. A healthy level of family involvement is often beneficial to a couple as they build a foundation for their marriage.

Are you looking for premarital counseling in Keller, Texas?

Are you looking for excellent, experienced, and licensed premarital counseling in Keller, Texas? If so, browse our online counselor directory or contact our office at Keller Christian Counseling to schedule an appointment. We would be honored to walk with you on this journey.