Happily ever after is not a fairy tale. It’s a choice.
– Fawn Weaver

Are You And Your Partner Approaching Marriage?

Are you and your partner engaged to be married? Do you find yourself excited, yet sometimes overwhelmed by the thought of the upcoming change? Are you happy with your relationship, but want to make sure that you and your partner have a strong foundation for your marriage from the very beginning? Have you and your partner communicated and agreed on important topics like the management of finances, parenting philosophies, and life goals?

Perhaps you are engaged, but are already having some trouble communicating effectively. You and your partner may have a relationship built on love, but struggle to find common ground with day-to-day issues. You may find yourselves establishing unhealthy patterns and are unsure of how to get out of them.

Do you want to make sure that you and your fiancée are prepared for the changes that marriage brings? Are you concerned that your relationship is not strong enough for this next step? Do you want to start your marriage with a strong foundation in your relationship?

Premarital Counseling Helps Couples Build A Strong Foundation

Making the transition from an engagement to a marriage is a big adjustment, even if you and your partner feel you are ready for it. Many couples find that transitioning into day-to-day life with their partner can be more difficult than expected. Seeking premarital counseling can help make this transition more smooth by building a strong foundation of understanding, respect and shared values.

At Crossroads, we are passionate about working with couples who are committed to making the most of their relationship, which is why we offer premarital counseling. We understand the significant changes that accompany the transition to married life and have experience helping couples make that transition smoothly. Our therapists first work to get to know you as a couple in a safe and open environment, then help you pinpoint areas of your relationship that can benefit from change. We believe that with counseling and the right therapist, we can help you and your partner improve your emotional connection, communication, level of intimacy, and overall bond before you enter into marriage.

One of the signature approaches that Crossroads offers is a program that we call “Prepare-Enrich.” This program starts with you and your partner filling out a comprehensive questionnaire about your relationship. The online questionnaire generates a report that is sent to your Crossroad’s counselor. Your counselor then uses the questionnaire to compile a strong understanding of your relationship before proceeding with counseling. This allows your counselor to personalize your sessions specifically to your relationship’s needs from the beginning.

We have seen couples experience incredible success through the “Prepare-Enrich” program because it covers some of the most essential foundational aspects of a relationship: communication, conflict resolution, and expected roles. Overall, its function as a comprehensive assessment tool shows your strengths as a couple as well as your areas for growth. The combination of this tool along with emotionally-focused therapy (EFT) helps you and your partner understand deeper aspects of your relationship as you take the step forward toward marriage.