5 Important Reasons to Consider Premarital Counseling
July 4, 2025 | By Dana Harron
Thinking About Premarital Counseling? Here's Why It Matters
Getting engaged is an exciting, joy-filled time and also a season full of big decisions, shifting dynamics, and new realities. Amid the whirlwind of planning, it’s easy to focus on the details of the wedding day and lose sight of the life you’re building together. That’s where premarital counseling comes in.
Premarital counseling isn’t just for couples in crisis or those with major conflicts. It’s a proactive, supportive way to build a strong foundation for your future. Whether you're navigating communication styles, figuring out finances, establishing healthy boundaries, or just want to feel more prepared, working with a therapist before marriage can make a meaningful difference.
Here are five reasons to consider premarital counseling before you say “I do.”
1. You Are Getting Married
That’s right, this reason alone is enough. You are about to smash two completely separate lives, and it’s inevitable that there will be times where they don't go together easily. How much better it is to prepare for this completely predictable outcome, whether it’s full-blown conflict or just a cringe every time they put the toilet paper roll on the wrong way (for the rest of your life!) than to get blindsided by big and little problems when you have bills to pay and kids to raise?
2. You Need an External Perspective
If you're getting married, chances are you're in love. Love is associated with a neurochemical called oxytocin, which literally makes us think less clearly. There may be potential (preventable) issues within your relationship that, because you are so very deeply in love, you and your partner have difficulty seeing. A trained, objective professional therapist can address and help you plan for these small problems, so that they don't turn into big ones later on.
3. Cross Your T’s and Dot Your I’s
You need to make sure you discuss the big picture topics, like whether or not you want children, how you plan to handle finances, and long-term goals before tying the knot. A trained professional can walk you through the nuances of those topics and help address additional questions like:
Parenting styles
Views on financial autonomy
Household roles and responsibilities
Conflict resolution preferences
4. Buffer Against the Stress of Wedding Planning
Source- Unsplash.com
Wedding planning in itself is extremely stressful with a million different decisions to make, logistics, and expectations. On top of this, it’s often a time when family dynamics get played out. Whether a parent is overly involved, certain expectations begin clashing and you may find yourselves arguing about unimportant details. Premarital counseling can help navigate all of this more effectively before the wedding day even arrives!
5. Divorce Prevention
According to a huge meta-analytic study in 2003, couples that engage in premarital counseling reduce the risk of divorce by up to 30% and are more likely to have significantly happier marriage. An ounce of prevention, as they say, is truly worth a pound of cure.
Final Thoughts
Getting married is one of the most meaningful transitions in life, and it deserves thoughtful preparation, attention, and care. Premarital counseling isn’t about predicting doom or identifying flaws, it’s about building a strong foundation beyond the wedding day.
Premarital counseling can help couples develop the insight and tools to navigate future challenges by increasing awareness of things now. With that kind of insight and support, you’re better equipped to handle what life brings. Really, you are making an investment in your relationship’s future.
Reach Out
If you’re considering professional support, we’re here to help. Please reach out to schedule a free, no-commitment consultation. There’s no fee and no obligation—just click the button below to get started.
You can also call or text us at 202-656-3681, or email us directly. Give yourself the opportunity for the support you deserve.