Premarital Counseling
Our relationship has never been better. Do we really need premarital counseling?
You and your intended are deeply in love. As you enjoy planning your upcoming nuptials, everything in life seems perfect. You can’t imagine any reason why you should need premarital counseling.
After all, there could never be an obstacle too big or a mountain too high that could keep you from living happily ever after as you grow old together. Besides, you are already spending so much money. Do you really need to spend more?
Premarital counseling helps you attain a happy, loving marriage.
My name is Dr. Lonnie Bryant, and I want to let you in on the truth. You can’t afford not to experience all the benefits of premarital counseling.
I have assisted thousands of engaged couples achieve a solid marital foundation before saying, “I do.” The tools and techniques I teach help couples enjoy a more stable, satisfying marriage.
Because I want to do all I can to give engaged couples the necessary tools to enjoy a happy, fulfilling marriage, I took steps to create an affordable, unrivaled premarital counseling package that I then completely customize for each couple.
All couples benefit from my certification as a state of Texas Twogether Premarital Counselor. Those interested in even more personalized counseling can take advantage of the fact that I am a SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) facilitator. Keep reading and learn more about these.
Why do we need counseling when we are happy and in love?
Premarital counseling is about preparing you for a lifelong marriage that is loving and fulfilling. The sobering, well-known fact is that over 50 percent of marriages end in divorce.
I get it. You firmly believe divorce could never happen to you.
But the fact is, if you asked any divorced person, the majority would say they believed the same thing before getting married. They were just as in love as you are. The problem is, couples often enter into marriage with unrealistic expectations or differences in certain beliefs. Issues such as these can dramatically reduce the joy you experience as you do life together.
Premarital counseling improves communication and reduces future conflicts.
Studies have shown premarital counseling drastically reduces divorce rates and strengthens marriages. It encourages important conversations and teaches skills that help your marriage thrive.
Premarital counseling is the biggest contributor to ensuring a happy marriage that doesn’t end in divorce. It builds a solid foundation and prepares couples for marriage and the challenges that come with it while building a strong, healthy relationship.
Premarital counseling fosters important discussions.
Premarital counseling offers couples the opportunity to discuss the issues that most often lead to separation or divorce. It’s important to understand each other’s feelings about “hot topics” before walking down the aisle.
“How many kids do we want?”, “Where will we live?”, “Will one of us take the main role in parenting issues?”, and “Who is responsible for what?” are only a few of the discussions you should have.
During premarital counseling with me, we will explore your expectations and beliefs.
Did you know that while infidelity is a common reason for divorce, it rarely occurs in happy marriages? Cheating on a spouse is usually a symptom of something else. Like problems with finances, communication, or conflict resolution.
And many engaged couples, while happily in love, do experience frustrations or complaints about “little issues.” By not working toward an understanding, change, or acceptance, the couple is in danger of the “little thing” festering into something big.
Premarital counseling allows couples to remove the “blinders of love,” so they can discover and address potential “hot” issues before they arise. It allows you to come up with a plan of action to handle differences of opinions, so you can avoid future altercations.
In fact, given the importance of premarital counseling, most pastors require it before they will marry you.
Don’t just plan your wedding. Prepare for your marriage.
Preparing for marriage involves more than an engagement party, wedding showers, and planning all the details for the big day.
Let’s face it – there is a LOT to planning a wedding. But after all the expenses, time, and effort, what endures? The rented tux? The gorgeous dress you will never wear again? The flowers that will die?
While people may gush over the beautiful cake or tasty buffet, how does that contribute to your marriage?
Sure, the memories live on. The pictures will last a lifetime and beyond. Your rings will be a constant reminder of your commitment.
But which is more important – the perfect wedding or the ideal marriage? One lasts a day. The other is meant to last until “death do you part.”
As you plan your wedding, don’t neglect the most powerful thing you can do to prepare for your life to come – your marriage and future family.
What should you expect from premarital counseling?
During premarital counseling, I encourage discussions that improve your relationship and help build a stronger marriage.
It is helpful to understand that each person brings their own history, opinions, values, and beliefs into a relationship.
You may believe you know everything about your fiancé, but every couple I have counseled has learned at least one new, interesting, and revealing fact about their partner.
Many engaged couples grew up with different relationship role models and family systems. Maybe he grew up with divorced parents and three or four different stepparents, while her parents have been happily married for 30 years. This can impact views on marriage stability and commitment.
A lot of people go into marriage with the belief it will fulfill their emotional, financial, social, and sexual needs, but this is not always the case.
I will help you understand and discuss your expectations and differences, so you can better support and understand each other during your marriage.
Another benefit to premarital counseling is that it establishes a positive attitude about counseling, which makes it easier to seek any needed help from others down the road.
I will customize your premarital counseling, but some specific topics we will discuss include:
- Learning Your Love Languages
- The Different Types of Love
- Roles in the Marriage
- Decision Making
- Dealing with Anger and Emotions
- Sex, Affection, and Intimacy
- Expectations Regarding Children and Parenting
- Communication Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Life Goals
- Prioritizing Quality Time
- Values and Beliefs
- Dealing with In-Laws
- Expectations, Fears, and Desires
- Finances and Money Management.
What is SYMBIS?
SYMBIS is an acronym for Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts. For interested couples, I offer an opportunity to enhance the premarital experience through a SYMBIS assessment.
This powerful assessment tool provides individualized insight to help prepare you for a loving, passionate marriage.
It allows for ultra-customized counseling based on your personal situations. For instance, there are different questions for those who have been married before or who will be entering a blended family.
The assessment can be accessed on any device and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Once I receive and analyze your results, I will have a much better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as areas you have in common and where you differ.
This information is a roadmap that guides your premarital sessions and allows us to focus on what is important to you.
The assessment also will allow me an opportunity to “dig deeper” to see if any red flags or warning signs are revealed. For instance, if her results reveal she is a big spender, but his results show he is a strict saver, money management would be a topic to discuss in detail.
What is a Twogether in Texas Premarital Counselor?
In addition to my being a doctoral-level counselor and SYMBIS facilitator, I also am a certified Twogether in Texas premarital counselor.
Upon completion of your premarital counseling, you will receive a Twogether in Texas certificate. This certificate entitles you to a $60 discount off your marriage license fee and allows you to waive the 72-hour waiting period.
Call me today!
Are you ready to learn how to prepare for your future marriage?
Does having a fulfilling, stable, loving relationship with your life partner excite you?
If so, call me at (682) 365-2099 today!