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PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING SUPPORTS A HEALTHY MARRIAGE
Summer is a popular time of year for couples to vow
their eternal love to one another. Unfortunately, many couples spend more
time planning for their wedding than they do for their future as husband
and wife.
An estimated 90% of Americans will marry, but nearly half of those
marriages end in divorce because
of frequent arguments, dishonesty
and infidelity. Every couple has as many as 10 areas of “irreconcilable
differences,” but they need to learn how
to identify and accept them as part of their relationship.
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists recommends
couples seek pre-marital counseling to develop the communication skills and training
before committing to marriage. A
successful marriage is based on both partners nurturing each
other handling conflict in a productive manner and facing the everyday challenges and opportunities
that may arise.
When you should seek pre-marital counseling:
•When you are young and never been married. California law requires
that individuals under age 18 complete pre-marital counseling before
they can file for a marriage license.
• When you need to discuss mutual expectations, cultural and religious
differences and feelings about children and finances.
• If you have been engaged or dating for more than nine years, plan on
marrying, but have not, it may be time to analyze what is going on.
• When one partner is “commitment-phobic.” Find out what
lies at the root of the fear so you can move forward in your relationship
or move on.
• When you can not resolve significant issues. The number one predictor
of divorce is the habitual avoidance of conflict.
• If you are not married yet and already radically disagree about issues
related to money, children, chores, work and sex, it may be
time to learn how to address differences.
For pre-marital counseling, contact a California Marriage and Family
Therapist by visiting www.TherapistFinder.com. With its listing
of more than 7,500 licensed mental health professionals, TherapistFinder.com
is an online directory that is user-friendly and searchable by name, location, and
area of expertise.
About CAMFT
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, with
27 chapters throughout the state,
is an independent professional
organization, representing the interests of licensed marriage and
family therapists. CAMFT provides therapistFinder.com as a resource
to the public looking for marriage and
family therapists located
in California. For more information about CAMFT, please call (858) 292-2638
or visit www.camft.org or www.therapistfinder.com.
Media Contact: Tricia Whittemore
Porter Novelli
Phone: (619) 687-7018 or (603) 219-6088
E-mail: tricia.whittemore@porternovelli.com
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