We oftentimes get requests from individuals seeking couples or premarital counseling prior to tying the knot. However, couples are not always sure what exactly they are looking for. In fact, some ask us – what is the difference between premarital counseling and couples therapy in North Carolina? Well, in this blog post, we are going to dive in to all things Premarital Counseling!
What is Premarital Counseling?
Premarital counseling is a transformative and proactive approach that folks who are pursuing marriage can take to build a strong foundation for a successful marriage. This practice involves seeking guidance from a licensed clinician, which may include a certified SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) facilitator, to explore and address various aspects of a relationship before tying the knot.
So, what can couples expect from premarital counseling? At its core, premarital counseling is a structured process designed to help couples prepare for the challenges and joys of marriage. Sessions typically cover a wide range of topics, including communication, conflict resolution, financial management, intimacy, family dynamics, and future goals. By delving into these areas, couples gain valuable insights and develop essential skills to navigate the complexities of married life.
Benefits of Seeking Premarital Counseling with a Clinician in North Carolina
One of the key benefits of premarital counseling is the opportunity for open and honest communication. Couples are encouraged to discuss their expectations, fears, and dreams in a safe and supportive environment. This process fosters a deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives and helps lay the groundwork for effective communication—a crucial element in any successful marriage.
Moreover, premarital counseling equips couples with practical tools to handle conflicts constructively. Learning how to navigate disagreements and find common ground is essential for maintaining a healthy and thriving relationship. The counseling process empowers couples to develop effective conflict resolution strategies that can be invaluable in the face of challenges.
Financial literacy is another crucial aspect addressed in premarital counseling. Discussing financial goals, budgeting, and understanding each other’s spending habits can prevent future conflicts related to money matters. This proactive approach allows couples to align their financial values and create a solid financial plan for their shared future.
Premarital counseling also provides a platform to explore and enhance intimacy within the relationship. By discussing physical and emotional needs, couples can foster a deeper connection and intimacy, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling and satisfying marital life.
How a Certified SYMBIS Facilitator May Be Right for Your Premarital Counseling Journey
Now, why is it essential to use a licensed clinician with specialized training in premarital counseling, such as a certified SYMBIS facilitator? A certified SYMBIS facilitator undergoes specific training to utilize the SYMBIS Assessment—a comprehensive tool designed to identify the unique dynamics of a couple’s relationship. This assessment covers areas such as personality, communication style, finances, spirituality, social support, and potential areas of conflict. A certified facilitator is adept at interpreting these results and tailoring counseling sessions to address the specific needs of each couple.
SYMBIS can be used by people from different backgrounds like mentors, mental health professionals, and church leaders, but it does primarily center around people having a professional mental health background. Couples are asked to complete the assessment, which takes a little over thirty minutes, on average. From there, the results are then reviewed and discussed in follow up pre-marital counseling sessions.
During those review sessions, the therapist and couple cover things like the couple’s well-being (individually and relationally), finances, social support, conflict, spirituality, and other topics that are important to review before marriage. Importantly, this review and conversation facilitation is not from the lens of always making sure that partners have the same approach, either. Instead, it helps them know more about themselves, their partner, and consider how their different approaches could mesh together or how they could lead to challenges for them to consider down the road. Facilitators are taught how to interpret the reports, share the results, and ask discussion questions (prompted throughout. Typically review and discussion takes seven to ten sessions – an excellent short-term, focused type of therapy.
Schedule with a North Carolina Premarital Counselor and certified SYMBIS Facilitator Today!
As you can see, a licensed clinician with specialized training in premarital counseling and who is a certified SYMBIS Facilitator ensures that couples receive guidance from a professional with a deep understanding of the intricacies of premarital dynamics. This expertise can make the counseling experience more personalized and effective, ultimately contributing to a stronger foundation for the marriage.
We would LOVE to help, and we have an amazing North Carolina Premarital Counseling therapist at Be BOLD! Shantell Carraway LMFT (She/Her) is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a certified SYMBIS facilitator with a wealth of experience in helping couples navigate the exciting journey of marriage preparation. She loves assisting couples at this exciting space in their relationship and life, working together to lay the groundwork for a resilient and fulfilling marital life. Shantell has immediate availability for premarital counseling, couples counseling, and single-day virtual couples intensives! Learn more about our couples and relationship therapy services for North Carolinians here!
In conclusion, premarital counseling is way more than a box to check before saying “I do.” It is an investment in the future of a relationship, providing couples with the tools, insights, and skills necessary for a successful and enduring marriage. By choosing a licensed clinician with specialized training, such as a certified SYMBIS facilitator like Shantell Carraway LMFT, couples can embark on this journey with confidence, knowing they are laying the groundwork for a strong and healthy partnership.
