The question is, will these couples invest in premarital therapy? Statistics for first time marriages that end in divorce are 45-50%. The percentage increases to 60-67% of second time marriages and even greater for a third time marriage at 70-73%. When the likelihood of divorce is so great, especially for second and third time marriages, the need for relationship planning and enhancement is even more crucial. Why wouldn't you engage in premarital therapy when the decision to marry is such an important, life altering one?
The benefits of premarital or relationship enhancement therapy are numerous. Couples learn skills to help prevent major stressors from getting in the way of building a satisfying and healthy relationship.
We use PREPARE/ENRICH, an online assessment tool, with our couples (this is an optional feature in couples therapy). It not only is used with engaged couples, but any couple wanting relationship enrichment. The tool helps identify strengths and growth areas within the relationship focusing on the following areas:
- Communication skills
- Conflict resolution
- Ways to identify and manage major stressors
- Financial planning and budgeting
- Personal, couple, and family goals
- Family of origin issues
- Understand and appreciate personality differences
Using PREPARE/ENRICH will not necessarily guarantee your relationship for a lifetime of happiness; however, getting support for your relationship is a worthwhile investment and will increase your ability to handle issues that are inherent in any relationship. Therapy, in general, allow couples to learn about themselves and one another through a variety of exercises and discussions which are aimed to help improve relationship skills. If you have recently become engaged or just need a boost to your relationship, consider couples therapy.
