Premarital Counseling in Bethlehem, PA—Counselors and Therapists at Thriveworks (Lehigh Valley)
Many people dream about getting married their entire lives. At just 13 years old they’re thinking about their ideal wedding destinations, picking out potential dresses, and even daydreaming about what song they’ll have their first dance to. And when the time eventually comes to set these wedding plans in stone, excitement overrides all—even pre-marriage preparations that prove important to the foundation of a relationship moving forward.
“Many people spend more time in planning the wedding than they do in planning the marriage.” -Zig Ziglar
Premarital counseling is designed to help couples prepare for this life-long commitment. It helps couples to address any current problem areas, learn how to address problems that may arise in the future, and develop effective communication skills. This form of counseling is typically sought out during the engagement phase, but it can also prove beneficial to those still considering marriage.
If you fit into either of these categories, and you’re interested in working with a premarital counselor (or hearing more about this service), Thriveworks Bethlehem can help. Our providers are qualified, as they possess the proper skills as well as the compassion that makes for a successful counseling experience.
What Are the Benefits of Premarital Counseling?
As mentioned above, premarital counseling can help those who are engaged, as well as those who are still contemplating getting married. In fact, research shows that this intervention can help to lessen divorce rates and control those nerves many experience before getting married—whether there’s a problem the two of you would like to resolve, or you’d just like to further sustain the health and longevity of your relationship.
Premarital counseling equips couples with many effective tools, of which include communication strategies. Additionally, it can help to open up discussions that are otherwise uncomfortable to have. Some topics that are commonly addressed in premarital counseling include:
- Role expectations
- Budgeting and financing
- Common interests/hobbies
- Marriage dynamics
- Sexuality and intimacy
- Children and parenting
- Visions for the future
What Does Premarital Counseling Look Like?
A premarital counseling session can vary from counselor to counselor, couple to couple. Some counselors like to first see each individual separately, so they can best observe and understand individual concerns and goals for counseling. Other therapists prefer to focus on the two as one unit from the very beginning. Either way, as the sessions continue, the couple identify problem areas, talk about their hopes and expectations for their marriage, and determine an effective plan for prioritizing the condition of their relationship.
Oftentimes, tools like Couples Resource Maps supplement premarital counseling. These assist each partner in determining resources as well as a healthy plan for dealing with conflict. Their action plan may involve going to counseling, sitting down to have a calm and productive conversation, or reviewing the resources they’ve determined can help during times of conflict.
Schedule a Premarital Counseling Session at Thriveworks Bethlehem Today
While it’s fun and important to get all of the wedding details down to a tee, it’s imperative that you take the necessary steps to preserve your relationship with your partner—as marriage brings with it new challenges. One way to get ahead of these challenges is to seek out premarital counseling; as this approach to counseling is designed to help you build a solid foundation for your marriage, before your marriage even begins! It will essentially act as a safety net for your relationship.
If you’re interested in premarital counseling and want to experience the benefits first-hand, schedule a session with a counselor at Thriveworks Bethlehem. All you have to do is give us a call at 484-241-2848 to get all set up with one of our experts. A scheduling specialist will greet you and assist you through this quick and easy process, as the following is guaranteed:
- Punctuality: Many clients have their first session within 24 hours of speaking with a scheduling specialist. We want to get you started as soon as possible!
- Flexibility: If daytime or weekday appointments don’t work for you, that’s okay. We offer evening and weekend appointments as well because we understand that sometimes “the norm” just isn’t practical.
- Dedicated, professional care: You don’t have to worry about whether or not your provider has the proper skills or experience to help you. The professionals at Thriveworks are experts in their field, and they’re also completely dedicated to providing you with the care you deserve.
Let’s get started! Give us a call at Thriveworks Bethlehem to schedule your session. We’re looking forward to working with you.
