Preparing for Marriage or Long-Term Partnership

Photo by Tiago Felipe Ferreira

So you swiped right and found that special person that you want to spend the rest of your life with. Whether you are going the traditional route or just planning to cohabitate planning for marriage or long-term commitment requires careful consideration and thoughtful preparation. 

Even though marriage has long been regarded as a sacred institution, statistics reveal that the divorce rate in the United States hovers around 40 to 50 percent. Statistics on long-term unions of unmarried couples are difficult to source due to the evolving nature of relationships and the lack of a standardized tracking system. However, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of unmarried couples living together has increased significantly in recent decades. In 2019, there were approximately 7.5 million unmarried couples living together, compared to around 500,000 in 1960. The longevity of both of these relationship styles varies widely, with factors such as age, education, and socioeconomic status playing significant roles. Understanding the reasons why relationships dissolve is not as important as working toward ways to strengthen marriages and promote healthier relationships.

Photo by Ben Mater

Premarital/long-term union counseling provides a valuable opportunity for engaged couples to explore and discuss important aspects of their relationship, such as communication, conflict resolution, and shared values. By engaging in this form of counseling before tying the knot, couples can gain valuable insights, develop essential skills, and lay a strong foundation for their future together. It offers a safe space for couples to address potential issues, learn effective communication techniques, and identify strategies to navigate challenges that may arise in their marriage. The emphasis on proactive engagement and open dialogue in premarital counseling can significantly increase the chances of building a resilient and enduring partnership, thereby reducing the likelihood of divorce or separation.

As a couple and intimate partner therapist, some key subjects that are often not explored when relationships begin to become serious are ‘how do we fight’ (e.g. conflict resolution), feelings about money or financial planning, family and children, long-term goals or even what legal considerations might be of concern (especially around blended families or cohabitating partners with small children). By engaging in this form of counseling while preparing for a long-term commitment, you will gain valuable insights, develop essential skills, and lay a strong foundation for a future together. It offers a safer space for couples to address potential issues and come together for solutions that allow for a brighter future.

Getting Ready for Marriage/Long-Term Commitment Workshop

Purpose of workshop:

• Cultivating an opportunity for couples to learn essential relationship skills through structured curriculum covering various topics like effective communication, conflict resolution, problem-solving, financial management, intimacy, and more.

• Providing interactive activities, discussions, and exercises, couples can deepen their understanding of each other, improve their emotional connection, and build trust.

• Evaluating your relationship through assessments will assist couples in understanding their compatibility, identifying strengths and growth areas while uncovering potential areas of conflict. 

• Connecting with those are going through a similar life stage.

• Preventing future marital/relationship problems by addressing potential issues proactively with proven tools and strategies to uplift aliveness and connectedness. 

• Strengthening effective communication, conflict resolution, and financial management by developing the necessary skills to handle challenges when they arise.

This is for you if:

• There was a previous relationship that ended in divorce or other challenges.

• You are struggling in your relationship, and scared shitless for the upcoming nuptials. Or you’ve been living together and never talked about any of this stuff.

• Sometimes you don’t feel heard or understood by the love of your life.

• You hope to establish a strong foundation for your future life together in partnership.

• You and your partner come from different cultural, religious, or socioeconomic backgrounds, and understanding and respecting each other’s differences is important to you.

• You are seeking constructive dialogue about potential challenges and ways to overcome them.

• You have limited relationship experience but what to be equipped with essential skills and knowledge to enhance the long-lasting love you have found.

• You want to prepare yourself and your partner, to increase your chances of having a happy and successful relationship.

• You are 18 years or older in a committed partnership that is engaged, pre-engaged or have stated long-term commitment to each.

Limited to 8 couples per cohort for August. Waitlist Available for October cohort. Queer inclusive.

When:

• Cohort Engaged Couples: MONDAYS 6 PM - 7:30 PM ET

• Cohort Pre-Engaged Couples: WEDNESDAYS 6 PM - 7:30 PM ET

Where: Zoom link will be provided.

Contribution: $150 per week, NOW ONLY $100 per session

Total: $600

By: Tanisha Christie, LCSW (s/her)