Is Pre-marital Counseling Necessary?

Before we answer that question, it would be good to talk about what pre-marital counseling is exactly. Maybe a lot of people would not really know what it is all about. Based on the term itself, though, you would get a rough idea – obviously it is a counseling or guidance session that a couple undergoes before they get married. The main focus of a pre-marital counseling session is the period AFTER the wedding.

I know what you are thinking, you have been together for so long that you practically know each other in and out. You complete each other’s sentences! You do stuff for your partner without him or her saying it out loud! Maybe so, yet the truth of the matter is that not everyone can boldly state the same thing. More so, even if you think that you know each other very well, there are some things that would be fleshed out in pre-marital counseling that might be of good help to you when you get married.

For many secular couples, pre-marital counseling is just an option. It is not really a requirement. For certain religions, though, it is part of the whole wedding arrangement. Catholics, for example, cannot be married without having to go through marriage classes. Some Protestant and Evangelical churches also require their members to undergo counseling before getting married.

So, is pre-marital counseling really necessary? Unfortunately, there is no clear cut answer to this question. Pre-marital counseling exists to guide a couple in talking about their future. One important issue that is tackled during sessions is the expectation of both partners. What do they expect of each other as a married couple? Financial issues and responsibilities are also touched upon.

Personally, I think that it would be a good idea to undergo at least one pre-marital counseling session. Whether you ask a priest, a pastor, or a secular guidance counselor to conduct it for you, it does not matter. Take it from the experience couples – they will tell you that no matter how much you think you know each other and no matter how ready you think you are to get married, you will meet a lot of surprises along the way. It is way better to be equipped and prepared for the changes that you will be encountering than to just feel your way around the situation. Then again, it is completely your decision whether or not to undergo counseling before you get married.

[tags]wedding, pre-marital counseling, pre-marital guidance, religious wedding, secular guidance counselor[/tags]