New Service at The Grove: Inclusive Premarital Counseling

Premarital Counseling Program For Couples

The Grove now offers personalized, open-minded counseling to support couples embarking on commitment.

Now Offering Premarital Counseling at The Grove!

Successful long-term relationships require effective communication skills and mutual understanding—both of which do not always come easy, even with those we’re closest to. Investing in premarital (or pre-commitment) counseling can help you and your loved one build a strong foundation and work through any difficult issues before committing to one another. Some couples may be apprehensive to sit down with a counselor and discuss their relationship prior to marriage.

But research shows that couples who complete some form of premarital counseling have a 30 percent increase in marital satisfaction compared with those who hadn’t undergone such counseling. Other studies indicate that premarital counseling can decrease the likelihood of divorce by up to 50 percent.

So why doesn’t everyone do this?

One big barrier to premarital counseling for a lot of people is a lack of open-mindedness and acceptance in the location, provider, and even the information offered in the premarital counseling sessions. The majority of pre-marital counseling sessions take place through a religious setting, and many programs are Bible-based. This is due to the fact that many religions recommend or even require these counseling sessions before allowing couples to marry. While this can be a great fit for couples of the same faith who both feel that their religion is a cornerstone of their relationship, it isn’t the best path for everyone. Today, many couples are looking for less-traditional, more personalized, and non-religious alternatives for beginning their lives together. Even the label “pre-marital counseling” can be limiting for some clients, such as co-habitating couples, same-sex couples, or second marriages.

Why is an inclusive approach important in pre-marital counseling?

The goal of an inclusive approach is to make each person feel welcomed, respected, valued, and supported. If a couple does not feel recognized by their counselor or the practice itself, these types of programs are unsuccessful. Studies have shown that the most important factor in successful counseling is the level of comfort, acceptance, and confidence in the counselor. Therefore, it is essential for clients to feel an ability able to open up, be their true selves, and trust their counselor in order to have a successful outcome. This is especially true in premarital counseling. If a couple feels that their counselor understands their perspective, supports their views of their relationship or commitment, and understands their unique challenges, it becomes easier for real learning and growth to happen.

Ready to invest in your relationship? Give us a call to enroll in our Premarital Counseling Program with Dr. Diane Allen.