Build a Solid Foundation With Premarital Counselling in Vancouver

Give Your Relationship a Fighting Chance with Counselling Before Marriage

Whether you’re getting married for the first time, have found a second love, or are beginning a new marital journey with kids in tow, investing in premarital counselling can start your marriage on the right foot. Foreseeing future difficulties can be challenging during the blissful pre-marriage stage, but it’s crucial for you and your partner to prepare for real life beyond the “honeymoon phase.”

Every relationship will experience stress from time to time. You may communicate differently, have varying ideals based on your upbringing, or struggle with how to handle disagreements without causing hurt.

As a registered clinical counselor, I can help you and your partner explore the preconceptions and expectations you both bring to the relationship. With my structured and caring guidance, you can lay all your cards on the table, discuss important topics, and learn more about one another before you tie the knot.

Why Premarital Counselling in Vancouver is So Beneficial

Preparation is key in many aspects of life. Taking the time to genuinely understand your partner and identify your relationship’s strengths and areas for growth sets you up for lifelong success.

Research has shown several benefits to premarital counselling. Through this process, I can help you and your partner:

  • Achieve higher levels of marital satisfaction
  • Develop a greater capacity to withstand stressful seasons
  • Remain respectful during difficult discussions
  • Be more likely to seek help during challenging times
  • Feel a deeper commitment to one another at the five-year mark

The reality is that marriage isn’t always easy. There will be struggles, times when you hurt each other, and difficult situations to navigate. However, investing in premarital counselling is an investment in your relationship, both now and for the future.

Topics Often Covered in Premarital Counselling

Your relationship is unique, and so are the challenges you face. During therapy for couples preparing for marriage, we’ll address issues and concerns that specifically apply to you and your partner.

There are many common topics of discussion in premarital counselling, including, but not limited to:

  • Money and finances
  • Expectations about children and family
  • Parenting
  • Sex and intimacy
  • Family of origin exploration
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Values and spirituality
  • Boundaries with extended family
  • Blended family dynamics
  • Career goals
  • Respectful communication during conflicts
  • Ruptures and repairs
  • Stress management and self-care
  • Leisure and quality time

Exploring these topics without professional guidance can be challenging. Premarital counselling sessions provide a safe space to discuss deeply personal matters, learn, grow, and evolve both individually and as a couple.

What to Expect in Premarital Counselling With Me

One of the benefits of enrolling in counselling before marriage is that it gives you valuable time, separate from the hustle and bustle, to truly focus on your relationship. During our sessions, I will present structured questions designed to identify your relationship’s strengths and areas needing more attention.

Here’s what you can expect when you enroll in premarital counselling with me:

  • Complete separate questionnaires to reveal your strengths and growth areas.
  • Come together to discuss and create an action plan to strengthen your relationship.
  • Engage in at-home practice exercises using strategies learned in our sessions to address areas of conflict.

Attend eight to twelve weekly or bi-weekly sessions lasting 75-100 minutes.

The ideal time to begin counselling before marriage is at least six months to a year before your wedding, during the excitement of engagement, and before you dive into the details of wedding planning. However, if your wedding date is approaching sooner, investing in therapy for couples before the big day is always a wise choice.

We get together based on our similarities; we can grow from the basis of our differences.

“Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us.”

— VIRGINIA SATIR —