Divorce rates are higher than ever today. Part of the reason for the increase in divorce rates is because many of these couples did not take time out to get premarital counselling. They were too busy planning their wedding, had too many things to get done, and couldn’t find the time, along with other such excuses.
Getting married is a major change in your lifestyle you need to be prepared for by taking advantage of the benefits provided by premarital counselling.
1. Helps Build a Strong Foundation
The key to a successful marriage is a strong starting foundation. Premarital counselling helps couples identify what issues are important to them as individuals and as a couple. The counsellor helps the couple explore future considerations as well, such as:
- Do you or your future spouse want children?
- How big of a family do you want?
- What religion, if any, does the couple want to follow?
- Does the couple want to keep their sexual intimacy monogamous or have a more open relationship?
- How would each person react if they discovered the other was cheating?
- Would they attempt to save their marriage if there was a break down in the future?
- How would they do this?
- What things are “deal breakers” and grounds for divorce?
Keep in mind this is just a sampling of questions, and questions to help guide the couple can be tailored to their specific needs, personalities, and objectives.
2. Address Financial Concerns
Most couples have their own individual debts when they get married. Being able to work out how these will be treated once married can avoid many of an argument. In addition, couples can learn how to openly talk about their financial situation in a constructive and productive manner, even when there are disagreements.
3. Learn Something New about Your Partner
Most couples think they know each other very well prior to marriage. However, many still discover they can learn something new about their partner through premarital counselling. Maybe your loved one had a hurtful experience in the past they haven’t talked about until now or have specific expectations about being married.
4. Help Face Premarital Stress and Anxiety
Planning a wedding can be stressful and make couples feel anxious. Having a counsellor to talk to can help alleviate most of the anxiety and stress couples experience leading up to their big day. Not to mention, couples can learn how to deal with their in-laws and when they need to step in and support their partner over their parents.
5. Lower the Risks of Divorce
No marriage is perfect and even couples that have been together for 20, 30 or 50 years have had arguments and disagreements. The reason these marriages succeed is because these people have turned to marriage counsellors for guidance and support both before and during their marriage to help them through difficult times.
To arrange premarital or marriage counselling in Toronto, please feel free to contact Ellen Starr Marriage Counselling at 416-488-3102 today!
