Premarital Counseling in Conway, AR—Premarital Counselors, Therapists
Is a wedding in your future? Are you spending time discussing seating arrangements, menus, and flowers? Are you watching the response cards come in, without even knowing for sure that you want to go through with the wedding? Or perhaps you are not quite to this point yet. You and your significant other are contemplating engagement and marriage, but you have a lot of things to discuss first.
Whatever the reason that has brought you to this page, we are glad you have found us. The professionals at Thriveworks Conway premarital counseling are ready and able to help you prepare for your wedding and more importantly, your marriage.
Some officiates, such as pastors or priests, require that couples go through premarital counseling before they will perform a wedding ceremony. This is commonly done to provide a firm foundation for the beginning of a wedding. Marriage is a serious endeavor, and should not be entered into without serious consideration. In some states, those wishing to get married before the age of 18 must undergo premarital counseling as required by law.
Preparing for a wedding is an exciting time, but it can also be very stressful. There are a great many details to coordinate, and decisions to be made. In addition, choosing to spend the rest of your life with someone is not an easy decision either.
A wedding can be one of the most joyful events in your life, but it can also be one of the most fearful, and one of the most important. Taking the time to prepare for this momentous decision by participating in premarital counseling is a wise and mature decision. This is true of any couple, whatever their age or socioeconomic status.
Premarital Counseling: Occasionally Optional, Always Helpful
Planning a wedding can be very stressful with all of the family members to deal with, preferences to sort out, and decisions to make. There are budgets to consider, complicated relationships to navigate, and new people to meet. This may be the most time you have spent with your new in-laws. This can be a lot to deal with alone. Even the happiest and most stable couples can experience challenges when planning and preparing for a wedding. An experienced premarital counselor can help you navigate these challenges.
We have all heard the statistics about the failure of marriage. There is no need to let you and your fiancé turn into one of those failures. Starting out with the most preparation is the safest way you can begin a marriage. We will all experience hardships in our relationships and in our marriages. This is part of the package of a relationship. The key is to be prepared and have communication tools to deal with the problems that will arise.
Marriage is not easy. Relationships require hard work and commitment. Choosing to engage in premarital counseling is an excellent first step in making your marriage work. You and your fiancé do not have to be just another statistic.
Why Choose Thriveworks Conway Premarital Counseling?
If you are considering premarital counseling, Thriveworks counselors are the right choice. Through premarital counseling, couples will definitely learn to create vital abilities to connect in the marital relationship, recognize potential dispute areas, as well as discover the best ways to navigate their way through life’s challenges.
The clinicians at Thriveworks Conway premarital counseling and therapists are experts in their field. They are respected leaders in their community and have been published in leading publications, such as the Chicago Tribune, Prevention, Psychiatric Times, Atlanta Journal Constitution, and the Journal of Mental Health Counseling. We are ready to put our expertise to work for your relationship.
Premarital Counseling: Good for the Couple, Good for the Individual
Studies have shown that premarital counseling can actually minimize separation fears and pre-marriage anxieties. While undergoing counseling, we also believe that each member of the relationship also seems to gain a lot of insight from the counseling sessions. Better understanding of their partnership, and also into one’s self has been mentioned, as well as discovering skills helpful in various other relationships in life.
As with most types of therapy and counseling some of the benefits include:
- Confidence and assertiveness
- Patience
- Avoiding dependency and co-dependency
- Having realistic expectations of others
- Contentment
- Developing coping skills
Therapy or counseling does not imply you have a problem. Rather, it indicates that you are prepared and wise in trying to prevent future problems. Whether it is required by the person officiating your wedding, or you and your partner have decided to participate on your own, it is an excellent decision.
When Should Couples Begin Premarital Counseling?
Premarital counseling is usually sought “pre-marriage,” during the official engagement period. However, it is also useful when you are thinking about popping the big question. There is a trend to call this “pre-engagement” counseling, although that term has not yet become very popular. Premarital therapy could be useful for those that are unsure of the next step in their relationship, feeling as if they are floundering without direction. If one of the partners in a relationship is feeling uncertain of the future with their partner, it can be very unsettling and stressful for the other person. It will be very beneficial to discuss this in the safe and open environment of the counseling office. Many clients find that it is much easier to express certain things in the comfort and safety of the therapist’s office. Having a trained mediator in the room can help navigate difficult subjects and topics.
Thriveworks premarital counseling can also assist and educate couples on just what to expect in their 1st, or 10th year of marriage.
Naturally, pre-marital counseling will cover the big life choices such as:
- Common interests and leisure activities
- Role expectations
- Communication styles
- Religion and worship attendance
- Household duties and expectations
- Budget and finance
- Family planning
- Education and parenting of future children
- Political beliefs
- Sexuality and Intimacy
- Needs for space and privacy
- Where the family unit will reside
- Finances and debt
- Occupations and careers
- Holiday expectations and travel
- Relationships with extended family and in-laws
Do not fear that undergoing a type of therapy called “premarital counseling” means that you absolutely have to get married after finishing your sessions. In fact, some couples discover through the course of counseling that it is best if they do not take their relationship to the next level. The choice will be up to you and your partner, after you have explored your relationship in a deep and meaningful way.
Begin Preparing for Your Marriage Today
Thriveworks counselors are ready and able to help, starting right away. Most offices operate with long waiting lists, hard to contact therapists, and short hours. At Thriveworks, we pride ourselves on being different. We recognize that it may have been very difficult for you to make this first call. For that reason, we want to ready when you are.
Prepare for your wedding today. More importantly, give your marriage the best start possible. Call Thriveworks premarital counseling at 501-404-9737.
