What Is Premarital Therapy?
There are several things that can happen in premarital therapy. One of the first things it does is to help the couple see the positives in their relationship and to build a solid foundation. This allows trust to flourish, which in turn opens the door to honest communication.
One of the first things I do when talking to couples is find out the communication style that each prefers. I then use that information to help them talk in a way that their partner will hear and understand. Some people prefer to talk calmly, while others take a more intense approach. They simply need to learn how to communicate in a way that will get their words to be clearly heard by their partner.
There are couples who enter therapy feeling as though they have no issues. This may be because those problems are in the very early stages. Therapy can bring them to light and have them taken care of before they grow into something truly damaging. It’s healthy to bring up these topics before they are allowed to take root in the relationship.
One of the things that I love about premarital therapy is getting couples to see and hear each other in ways they normally wouldn’t. I see couples who have cold feet about getting married, simply because so much is still unknown about their spouse to-be. The sooner these things are uncovered, the sooner the relationship can flourish to the point where a solid, unbreakable bond is formed between the couple. That said, issues may arise that lead to a decision to part ways being made. While this is not necessarily the result that anyone wants, it can save the couple from moving forward with a relationship that was doomed to fail and cause unnecessary pain. Many differences can be solved by simply talking them out and working towards a compromise that works for both parties.
Premarital Therapy FAQ’s
How long will premarital therapy last? You can expect to take part in 2-4 premarital therapy sessions. More may be required if deeper issues are uncovered.
Where to go for premarital therapy in Long Beach? While some people are more comfortable in an office setting, others prefer online therapy sessions. I am happy to accommodate whichever option works best for you both.
Will my Insurance Cover Premarital Therapy Sessions? If couple’s therapy is included in your insurance plan, premarital therapy probably is as well. Usually, insurance companies require you to “meet medical necessity” which means that you or your partner have to qualify for a mental health diagnosis for any therapy (including couples therapy) to be covered. Talk to your insurance provider about preauthorization, so that you can find out if, and how much, you are covered for. We would be glad to give you a form so that you can get reimbursed from your insurance carrier, if they do approve therapy. You can also call my office if you need more information ahead of your first session.
If you live in California and are looking for a couple’s therapist, please give us a call at Long Beach Therapy: 562-310-9741.