Premarital Counseling
Did you just get engaged?
Are you a newlywed?
Are you and your partner looking to take your relationship to the next level?
When considering marriage, deciding on your honeymoon or figuring out where you want to live, are among the first things you start to plan. Premarital counseling might be last on your list, if it's there at all? While it may not be an engagement topic that's very fun or romantic, premarital counseling can help you set your marriage up to succeed and survive long-term, in spite of the odds.
Attending a premarital couples workshop or a babymoon retreat at a romantic travel destination can be a great way to combine fun, learning, and connecting together! (Retreats coming later in 2024, please inquire to be added to my waitlist!)
Premarital counseling can help you and your significant other improve your relationship by helping you develop better communication skills, learn conflict management, uncover your shared core values, as well as identify differences that could create future conflict. Working with Dr. Dungate, you can discuss expectations with your partner that will help better prepare both of you for marriage.
So if these sound like you…
- You and your partner have arguments that don't get resolved
- You feel like you're always the one who has to compromise to keep the peace
- You're concerned about how your partner's financial situation will affect you as a married couple
- You're worried about losing affection or having a diminished sex life after marriage
- You want to find healthier ways to resolve conflict
- You want to resolve family, religious, or financial differences
- You want to define your marital roles and expectations
…Then premarital counseling can be a great benefit to both you and your partner.
The intimate nature of marriage requires that you talk to your partner about everything, no matter how awkward or uncomfortable. Premarital counseling will help you learn how to be a better listener, and how to make your voice and your needs be heard in a productive and positive manner.
Premarital counseling will also show you how to handle conflict in your marriage. When you live with someone, you will have arguments ranging from the very mundane to more serious issues. How you argue will be a part of the story of how you are as a couple. Learn how to de-escalate arguments and how to fight fairly, so you don't cause emotional pain from things you said that you'll never be able to take back.
In premarital counseling, we will likely discuss topics you've discussed with your partner previously, as well as subject you haven't yet considered.
The fresh perspective that an objective couples therapist can provide, often helps to uncover new aspects of our partner and our relational dynamics. Pre-marital counseling is also an excellent time to find blind spots in communication and understanding, and give you the tools to handle possible future conflict.
We will discuss goals and hopes for your marriage, including supporting you both to create a marriage mission statement.
With over 29 years of marriage experience herself, and 25+ years as a couples/family psychotherapist, Dr. Dungate is uniquely inspired and skilled to work with couples on their way to living, whole-heartedly, their vows and commitment!