Here is an excerpt from an article by marriage experts Patty & Greg Kuhlman from Stayhitched.com:
The short answer is a resounding YES. Getting married without pre-marriage prep is like starting a business or any important venture without preparing. Half of all marriages end in divorce, and only half of those that endure are truly happy in the long run. Many happy engaged couples assume that they won't be contributing to these statistics. But, if you just wing it and count on your luck to make your marriage a success, your odds are only one in four. There is another way.
Most couples just don't realize that good, skill-based pre-marriage counseling or classes can reduce the risk of divorce by up to thirty percent and lead to a significantly happier marriage, according to marriage research. It can also reduce the stress of the pre-wedding period. Just a little effort now can make your odds a whole lot better over the long run. You want to do everything you can to ensure that your dreams of a great marriage and a great life are realized.
Click here to read the full article
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Pre-Marital Counseling as a Wedding Gift
A new article in Time magazine deals with marriages and why they last or fail. Marriages are as different as the people who enter into them and can last forever or fail quickly for a nearly unlimited number of reasons. I found the article extremely interesting and found the following excerpt particularly illuminating:
"Couples who have attended premarital classes or counseling cut their odds of divorce by almost a third. We don't know if the classes actually change the couples, or if those couples are already realistic and savvy to the dangers (which is why they were smart enough to take the class). But premarital counseling might be the best wedding gift any newlyweds can receive. "
Click here to read the article on Time.com
"Couples who have attended premarital classes or counseling cut their odds of divorce by almost a third. We don't know if the classes actually change the couples, or if those couples are already realistic and savvy to the dangers (which is why they were smart enough to take the class). But premarital counseling might be the best wedding gift any newlyweds can receive. "
Click here to read the article on Time.com
Michigan Passes Laws Encouraging Premarital Counseling
The Michigan House passed laws encouraging couples to get premarital counseling by offering the incentive of getting their marriage license the same day if they received four hours of counseling. They also passed legislation requiring divorcing parents to complete a program on the effects of divorce on children.
To read more about this, click here to visit WLNS.com
To read more about this, click here to visit WLNS.com
Tips to Choose a Pre-Marriage Counselor
Basic tips on choosing a marriage counselor:
When seeking a marriage counselor or therapist, it is important that the couple view themselves as a consumer of a product. The couple needs to feel in control of the process and view themselves just as they would, if they were purchasing a car. The process involves careful research, consideration and consultation.
One of the first steps in seeking counseling is to decide as a couple if you would prefer a male or female therapist or marriage counselor. This will narrow down the selection process and the couple can proceed from there.
It is imperative that the couple inquires or asks the therapist or counselor the following before starting on the therapeutic process. Sample questions are:
Counseling fees: How much does each session run? Are there any discounts possible? Are insurance reimbursements possible?
Inquire about the counselor's training: How long have they been in practice? What experience do they have in working with couples?
What type of therapeutic style do they employ? (for details, click to see full answer)
Ask about the therapist’s license: not all states mandate that therapists hold a license, and one can always confirm a license by contacting the State Board of Licensing and/or Certification for that field of practice. If the therapist does hold a license, make sure that license is up to date and that the therapist is not sanctioned in any way.
Inquire as to the counselor’s cancellation policies. Both partners seeking marriage counseling need to feel comfortable with the counselor or therapist that they have selected. If one partner is reluctant to pursue therapy with a particular therapist, it is important that the couple find someone else.
Click to visit the source of these tips at Ammas.com
When seeking a marriage counselor or therapist, it is important that the couple view themselves as a consumer of a product. The couple needs to feel in control of the process and view themselves just as they would, if they were purchasing a car. The process involves careful research, consideration and consultation.
One of the first steps in seeking counseling is to decide as a couple if you would prefer a male or female therapist or marriage counselor. This will narrow down the selection process and the couple can proceed from there.
It is imperative that the couple inquires or asks the therapist or counselor the following before starting on the therapeutic process. Sample questions are:
Counseling fees: How much does each session run? Are there any discounts possible? Are insurance reimbursements possible?
Inquire about the counselor's training: How long have they been in practice? What experience do they have in working with couples?
What type of therapeutic style do they employ? (for details, click to see full answer)
Ask about the therapist’s license: not all states mandate that therapists hold a license, and one can always confirm a license by contacting the State Board of Licensing and/or Certification for that field of practice. If the therapist does hold a license, make sure that license is up to date and that the therapist is not sanctioned in any way.
Inquire as to the counselor’s cancellation policies. Both partners seeking marriage counseling need to feel comfortable with the counselor or therapist that they have selected. If one partner is reluctant to pursue therapy with a particular therapist, it is important that the couple find someone else.
Click to visit the source of these tips at Ammas.com
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