{"id":80318,"date":"2022-09-04T05:29:59","date_gmt":"2022-09-04T05:29:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=80318"},"modified":"2025-07-03T10:04:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T10:04:40","slug":"pre-engagement-counseling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/pre-marriage\/pre-engagement-counseling\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Need to Know About Pre-engagement Counseling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Couple<\/p>\n

You’ve heard of marriage counseling and <\/span>pre-marriage counseling<\/span><\/a>, but what about pre-engagement counseling?<\/span><\/p>\n

While it may sound strange to go to therapy with a person you’re only dating, the idea itself is quite brilliant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pre engagement therapy acknowledges that asking someone to marry you (or saying yes to someone asking you to marry them!) is a huge decision that shouldn’t be made lightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

It helps couples structure their relationship in a way that is suitable for a long-lasting, <\/span>happy marriage<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The advantages of pre-engagement counseling are endless. It allows couples to avoid taking past baggage into an engagement, discusses important family matters before you’ve truly committed to one another, and creates a realistic idea of what a married partnership really means.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is before marriage counseling for you? Keep reading to find out.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Why do people seek pre-engagement counseling?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Studies show that<\/span> serious breakups<\/span><\/a> can cause <\/span>post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span><\/a> in the broken-hearted. Not to mention the current divorce rate is not exactly encouraging for couples.<\/span><\/p>\n

But why should people who aren’t even engaged be hopping into therapy together? Shouldn’t they still be in the throes of puppy love?<\/span><\/p>\n

Pre-engagement counseling isn’t necessarily for couples who are having problems. It’s for couples who see a serious future together and want to ensure they have all the necessary tools in place to <\/span>create a marriage that lasts forever<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many religious couples go through engagement counseling to ready themselves for a serious relationship. Of course, you do not have to be religious to benefit from couple counseling before marriage or engagement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Engagement therapy can help couples learn proper conflict resolution skills, boost communication efforts, and <\/span>manage expectations<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch this video to learn about how long should you date before getting engaged.<\/span><\/p>\n