Why Premarital Counseling?

Why Premarital Counseling?

Because.........

it reduces the risk of divorce by thirty percent.
it is like a marriage insurance policy.
it is a five week intensive that is designed to increase the intimacy in your relationship.
getting married without premarital counseling is like starting a trip without an itinerary or starting a business without a plan.
premarital counseling gives your marriage some of the skills you will need to have a successful and happy marriage.
it reduces the stress of the prewedding period.
it provides a solid foundation for a healthy, happy marriage.

The research shows that there is a window of opportunity during the year before the wedding and the six months or so after when couples get the optimum benefit from marriage preparation. Later, under stress, negative habits and relationship patterns may become established and be much harder to resolve.

While marriage preparation classes can be helpful and a wonderful addition to premarital counseling, the indepth work that you will do in this type of premarital counseling should not be replaced with a marriage course or seminar.

Where ever you choose to get premarital counseling be sure that your counselor covers all of these topics:

Marriage Expectations
Personalities
Communication
Conflict Resolution
Familites of origin
Intimacy
Sexuality
Finances
Long Term Goals

Kerrin Houser, MAPS, MA, NCC

Professional Counselor

Hopetree Counseling

Offices in Portland & Vancouver

503-819-4859

kerrin@hopetree.net

Premarital Counseling in Portland, OR & Vancouver WA