ChristyShea – Shea Counseling ChristyShea – Shea Counseling

Premarital Therapy

Premarital couples counseling can be an important step on your journey toward marriage. We spend a large portion of our lives in school learning about subject matters such as English, Science, History, Math, etc. But, how many of us have taken a class on, “How to have a successful, happy marriage?” How do we begin preparing for marriage?

I offer premarital counseling as a means to help the couple learn:

  • Effective communication skills
  • Resolve conflict in a productive manner
  • Current strength areas
  • Parenting styles
  • Financial and spiritual beliefs
  • Sensitive areas that may become trouble spots in the future.

*Gottman’s research shows it is not about compatible interests, but more about how couples are talking to each other about their differences. Couples, who are more negative during conflict early in marriage, are more likely to divorce. It is not about emotions like anger, but more about whether the couple can keep a healthy balance of positivity and negativity in their marriage. They found that despite lots of variability, between the thousands of couples that were studied, there were certain things that happy couples had in common and certain things that unhappy couples had in common. (*Journal of Marriage and Family, (August 2000), Gottman and Levinson)

During our sessions you will discover:

  • What those unhappy, common areas are that lead to divorce
  • How to avoid them in your marriage.

Premarital or premarriage counseling creates a safe environment to discover the wonderful uniqueness of your relationship. I believe preparing for your marriage can create awareness, foster understanding, provide education and enhance your relationship.

With over 50% of marriages ending in divorce, why not invest in your relationship and work to beat the odds. See premarital couples counseling “investment package” for more information.
Feel free to contact me if you have further questions. I am happy to set up a free 15-minute consultation with you. This allows you to meet me, ask questions and ensure that I am a person whom you feel comfortable to work with.