REDUCE YOUR CHANCE OF DIVORCE BY 31% WHEN YOU TAKE MARRIAGE PREPARATION
Every year, millions of couples around the world walk down the aisle, exchanging vows and promising to stay together forever – for better or for worse. Unfortunately, not all these marriages last. With the infidelity rate hovering around 20% and rising and couples heading into marriages unprepared to navigate the ups and downs of a long-term relationship, divorce has proven to be the result for many.
“This has definitely been a blessing to our current relationship by bringing us even closer and [it] has helped prepare us both mentally and emotionally for our marriage.” ~ Shelsie and Dex (Christian Marriage Prep Course)
The best protection to reduce your chance of divorce is to be proactive, strengthen your relationship and learn valuable relational tools that will help to make your relationship stronger.
That’s where marriage preparation (also known as premarital counseling) comes in. This type of counseling is designed to help couples explore their relationship, identify potential challenges, and develop the skills and tools they need to build a strong and healthy marriage.
By addressing potential issues before they become major problems, premarital counseling can help couples navigate the ups and downs of married life with confidence and resilience.
So, whether you’re planning to tie the knot or just looking to strengthen your relationship, consider the role of premarital counseling to reduce your chance of divorce in your marriage and build a deep, long-lasting and emotionally intimate relationship.
DIVORCE RATES IN THE UNITED STATES
Divorce rates in the US have been steadily increasing over the years. According to the American Psychological Association, about 40-50% of marriages in the US end in divorce. This statistic is alarming, especially when you consider the emotional and financial toll that divorce can take on both partners and any children involved.
There are many reasons why couples may choose to end their marriage, including infidelity, communication breakdown, financial issues, and differences in goals and values. While some of these issues may be too difficult to overcome, others may be preventable or manageable with the help of premarital counseling.
Almost no one is foolish enough to imagine that they automatically deserves great success in any field of activity; yet almost everyone believes that they automatically deserve success in marriage. ~ Sydney J. Harris, American journalist
STUDIES SHOW PREMARITAL COUNSELING CAN REDUCE DIVORCE RATES BY 31%
“We were able to tackle some quite complex topics and I feel that we have grown closer together as a result.” ~Harriet and Sebastian (Roman Catholic Course)
Research has shown that premarital counseling can be an effective tool to reduce your chance of divorce. For example, a study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that couples who participated in premarital counseling were 31% less likely to divorce than couples who did not receive counseling. This may be because premarital counseling helps couples to identify potential issues early on, develop strategies for overcoming them, and build a strong and healthy relationship.
Additionally, premarital counseling can help couples to communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts in a healthy way, and develop a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and desires.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF PREMARITAL COUNSELING
In addition to the ability to reduce your chance of divorce, premarital counseling can offer many other benefits. One of the biggest advantages is that it allows couples to identify potential issues before they become major problems. By addressing these issues early on, couples can develop the skills and tools they need to navigate challenges and build a strong and healthy relationship.
Premarital counseling can also help couples to communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts in a healthy way, and set realistic expectations for their marriage. Additionally, premarital counseling can help couples to strengthen their emotional connection, increase their intimacy, and build a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and desires.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN PREMARITAL COUNSELING
Typically, premarital counseling involves a series of sessions with a licensed therapist or counselor who specializes in working with couples. These sessions may be conducted in person or online, depending on the counselor’s preferences and your location. During the sessions, the counselor will work with you and your partner to explore your relationship, identify potential challenges, and develop strategies for overcoming them. The counselor may also administer assessments or questionnaires to help you and your partner better understand your individual needs and communication styles.
COMMON TOPICS COVERED IN PREMARITAL COUNSELING
“The course was a lot of fun and really made us want to keep going to the next part, excited to hear what one another’s feelings were for each other.” ~ Samantha and Stewart
There are many topics that may be covered in premarital counseling, depending on the needs and goals of each couple. Some common topics include communication, conflict resolution, financial planning, sexual expectations, family dynamics, and religious or cultural differences.
The counselor may also work with you and your partner to identify any patterns of behavior or thought that may be hindering your relationship and develop strategies for changing these patterns. Ultimately, the goal of premarital counseling is to help couples build a strong foundation for their marriage, based on mutual respect, understanding, and love.
SUCCESS STORIES OF COUPLES WHO HAVE TAKEN PREMARITAL COUNSELING
There are many success stories of couples who have undergone premarital counseling and built strong and lasting marriages as a result. For example, one couple who participated in premarital counseling reported that it helped them to understand each other’s communication style and develop ways to express themselves more effectively. Another couple reported that premarital counseling helped them to identify potential areas of conflict and develop strategies for resolving these conflicts in a healthy way. Overall, couples who undergo premarital counseling report feeling more confident in their relationship and better equipped to handle the challenges of married life which ultimately decreases the likelihood that they will experience divorce.
Behind every great relationship are difficult and uncomfortable conversations we rarely get to see. ~ Vienna Pharaon – Author and Licensed Marriage Therapist.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH ONLINE MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSES
“We look forward to using the ‘Rules for Resolving Conflicts’ as a guide to more graciously navigate the tensions that may arise when we are married.” ~ Kellus and Charissa
Once you choose your course, you will receive step-by-step instructions including links to teaching videos and downloadable questions. Couples find it easy and even fun to engage in these ten guided conversations at their own pace and in the privacy of their own home.
As a bonus, some states offer a discount program and even waive the 3-day waiting period to get your license. Take the course today and get married tomorrow. Please check with the state where your wedding will take place. Check out these pages for details on the Twogether In Texas and Minnesota Premarital Education programs. Florida counties will waive the 3-day waiting period with proof of a 4-hour premarital education course, and we will provide that certificate for you. (Check the Florida county website where you plan to get married.)
Once complete – or after you have completed the number of hours required by your state – we will email you an electronic copy of the certificate of completion.
If you require a Catholic Certificate of Completion, we will email you the electronic certificate, as well as contact the church where you will be married. And if you need pre-approval for this course, we are happy to contact your church on your behalf with more information about the course.
The more you invest in your marriage, the more valuable it becomes. ~ Unknown
MARRIAGE PREPARATION IS EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING DIVORCE RATES
“It was a great way to prepare us for this next step in life together. Without it, we would not have taken the time to reflect on some of these big topics and ensure we are aligned on how we want to go through life together.” ~ Kelly and Alex – Basic (Non-Religious) Marriage Preparation Course
The journey to marriage can be both exciting and challenging. While it’s easy to get lost in the excitement of wedding planning and honeymoon fantasies, it’s important to remember that the real work begins after the wedding day.
If you’re considering marriage, it’s important to take steps to ensure that your relationship is built on a strong foundation of love, respect, and understanding. Premarital counseling can be an effective tool for achieving this goal, by helping you and your partner to identify potential issues, develop effective communication and conflict resolution skills, and build a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and desires. By doing so, you can reduce the likelihood of divorce and increase the chances of a happy, healthy, and lasting marriage.
Choose one of our 3 Online Marriage Preparation Courses to begin your journey to a better, stronger relationship.