Since this article on pre marriage counseling has attracted your attention, I'm going to assume that you are in a very serious relationship with someone. Now you and your soulmate are thinking about ramping it up a bit on the committment scale. You're very much in love with this person, and the feeling is mutual. What more do you need? Why would you even consider sharing your private thoughts and feelings with some counselor- a total stranger?

Well, it may be that you and your partner are just too close to the situation to be objective. Having learned from many years of interpersonal behavioral research, professional counselors are quite knowledgeable about what makes people do what they do, and how they respond to stressful situations and crises. Their arsenal includes methods by which couples can find a higher level of satisfaction and better communication in their marriages. Before you tie the knot, you really should consider taking advantage of pre marriage counseling. This will not only help you and your partner get to know each other better, but also will show you about the challenges and rewards that lie ahead for you as a married couple.

Extensive research has proven that pre marriage counseling helps decrease the likelihood of divorce. Couples who have gone through pre marital counseling usually have stronger skills for tackling problems they may face together. Pre marriage counseling increases your awareness of potential issues that could impact your relationship. It also helps you to know whether or not you are really ready to take the plunge. Counseling may be a single, intensive session, or it might be in the form of a course that lasts a few weeks.

Once you've made the decision to go to pre marriage counseling, you now must make a choice. You can choose between secular and religious counselors. Pre marriage counseling is offered by private practice counselors, colleges, non-profit organizations, churches and various other religious groups.. You might even find that online marriage counseling suits your needs. Secular counselors work primarily from a psychological perspective, whereas religious counselors also try to provide spiritual guidance as a foundation for your relationship.

Pre marital counseling courses typically discuss questions for couples such as developing conflict resolution skills, beliefs and values, intimacy and sexuality, effective communication, family goals, marriage expectations, raising children, role relationships, and, of course, finances Also, some pre marriage counseling courses include the sharing of group experiences, outside reading and homework assignments These activities are all designed to help couples build a solid foundation for their life together.

Before you pick a counselor, be sure to check their educational background, license or certification, references, and professional affiliations. Remember, pre marriage counseling is an investment in your future happiness.