Premartital Counseling

Premarital Counseling

Premarital Counseling Approach

Premarital relationships, or romantic relationships that occur prior to marriage, have become more common in recent years. Despite this, there are still some people who believe that premarital relationships are inappropriate, or even immoral.

However, there are many reasons why premarital relationships can be valuable and important, and here are some reasons to explore them.

Learning about oneself and one's preferences

Premarital relationships can be a valuable way for individuals to learn more about themselves, their likes, and dislikes. As one engages in relationships, they learn what they want in a partner and what they don't. Such relationships can provide a valuable opportunity for individuals to understand their preferences, needs, and priorities. This knowledge can be useful in finding a partner who is compatible with their needs and desires.

Building healthy relationships

Premarital relationships provide a safe space for individuals to learn how to build healthy relationships. They learn how to communicate effectively, deal with conflicts, and negotiate their wants and needs. These skills can be incredibly valuable in building successful long-term relationships.

Understanding the importance of commitment

In a premarital relationship, individuals can learn the importance of commitment. Commitment is a key element in any successful relationship, and a premarital relationship can provide individuals with the opportunity to learn how to be committed to someone else. This understanding can be carried forward into a future marriage.

Exploring intimacy

Premarital relationships provide individuals with the opportunity to explore intimacy in a safe and consensual manner. Through these experiences, individuals can learn about their own desires, as well as their partner's. This knowledge can be valuable in building a healthy sexual relationship in a future marriage.

Preparing for marriage

Finally, premarital relationships can provide individuals with valuable experience in preparing for a future marriage. Individuals learn about their own needs and desires, as well as how to build a successful relationship with another person. This knowledge can be incredibly valuable in building a strong and healthy marriage.

Prepare Enrich Program

PREPARE/ENRICH is a well-known premarital and marital counseling program that helps couples build strong, healthy relationships. The program was developed by Dr. David Olson and his colleagues in the 1980s and has been used by millions of couples around the world.

The PREPARE/ENRICH program is designed to help couples assess and strengthen their relationship. The program uses a variety of tools, including an online assessment, workbook, and counselor-led discussions, to help couples identify their strengths and areas for growth.

The program is based on over 30 years of research and is designed to be flexible and customizable to meet the unique needs of each couple. Here are the main components of the PREPARE/ENRICH program:

Assessment Tool: The program uses a comprehensive online assessment tool that covers a wide range of topics, including communication, conflict resolution, finances, and intimacy. The assessment tool is completed by both partners and provides valuable information on the couple's strengths and areas for growth.

Workbook: The program includes a workbook that is designed to help couples explore their results from the assessment tool and develop a plan to improve their relationship. The workbook includes exercises, discussion questions, and practical tips to help couples build their relationship skills.

Counselor-Led Discussions: Once the assessment is completed and the workbook is filled out, the couple meets with a trained counselor who helps them interpret their results and develop a plan to improve their relationship. The counselor provides feedback on the couple's areas of strength and growth and offers tools and strategies to help the couple work through their challenges.

Customization: The program is designed to be flexible and customizable to meet the unique needs of each couple. The assessment tool and workbook can be tailored to address specific areas of concern, and the counselor-led discussions can be adjusted to focus on the issues that are most important to the couple.

Follow-Up: The program includes a follow-up assessment that can be completed at a later time to measure the couple's progress and identify areas that still need work

In summary, PREPARE/ENRICH is a well-established premarital and marital counseling program that uses a comprehensive assessment tool, workbook, and counselor-led discussions to help couples identify their strengths and areas for growth.

The program is designed to help couples build strong, healthy relationships and can be used at any stage of a couple's relationship.

Call Blue Oak Counseling Services now to schedule a consultation.