FAQ
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Q: Why do I need premarital education or relationship enrichment services?
A: Many people believe that if you have found your soulmate or if you are truly in love, then relationships will just work themselves out. This is a dangerous myth that has caused many potentially fufilling relationships to end. With the divorce rate remaining around 50%, the reality is that successful relationships don't just happen. The fact is that romantic relationships take hard work. By examining yourself and your partner before entering into a committed relationship, by learning relationship skills, and by continuing to nourish and strengthen your relationship through enriching activities throughout the lifetime of your relationship, you will increase the odds that you will have a stable, satisfying relationship. Please click the following link to see an article on the benefits of premarital education: /Documents/Making a Case for Premarital Education.pdf | | Q: How are your services different from what I would get from a therapist or my religious leader?
A: Our services are designed to be preventive in nature, meaning that you will be learning relationship skills and discussing important relationship issues before they become a problem. In contrast, therapists often see couples who have been experiencing relationship distress for several years. While some pastors may provide premarital services, many of them are not trained in understanding complex couple relationship dynamics or in teaching relationship skills. In addition, religious premarital counseling often focuses on preparing for the wedding ceremony or on spiritual aspects of marriage. Our premarital education program can be a good supplement to the services that your religious leader is already providing. We would also be happy to collaborate with your religious leader if that is something you would find beneficial. | Q: How much does it cost?
A: Our services cost significantly less than traditional therapy or counseling. While assessments and matierials are set costs, other costs can be based on a sliding scale. Regardless, for most couples, premarital education will represent only a very small portion of the total budget for the wedding. Similarly, relationship enrichment services should be considered part of the regular maintenence in the marriage. It is much cheaper to keep a good marriage going strong than to pay for intensive couples therapy or even a divorce lawyer. Look at these services as an investment in your future! Please, do NOT let cost be a factor. We want to work with you and will do our best to not let cost become a factor in whether or not you receive services. | Q: When and where do we meet?
A: We want you to feel comfortable while learning new relationship skills, so we will meet in your home, religious center, or other mutually convenient location. To accommodate working couples' schedules, most appointments will be held during the evenings or on weekends. | Q: What if my partner doesn't want to come?
A: This is a difficult, but not uncommon situation. First, I would try to find out what your partner's objections are. He or she may be concerned about cost, about having to reveal personal information to a stranger, or about being perceived as "weak" for obtaining educational or enrichment services. By addressing the root of the situation, you may be able to help alleviate some of those fears. In addition, we would be willing to consult with you and your partner either by phone or in person to discuss the services we offer and to address any concerns. If you are not already married and your partner refuses to attend premarital education with you after you have attempted to alleviate your partner's fears or concerns, you should seriously examine what implications this may have for your relationship in the future. If you still decide to get married, does this mean that your partner will refuse to attend counseling in the future should the need arise? Will he or she be willing to take care of your emotional and relationship needs? Do you both have the same views on what a relationship should look like and what it takes to have a successful marriage? You should seriously examine the answers to these questions before entering into a lifetime commitment to this person. If you have already entered into a committed relationship and your partner refuses to come with you for relationship enrichment services, then it is up to you to starting making the changes you wish to see in your relationship. I suggest that you read one or more of the many relationship enrichment books and start implementing those changes in your own life, or if you need to, go to individual counseling and let the counselor know that you want to learn strategies for improving your relationship. By creating positive changes in your own behavior, your relationship may start to improve without your partner's direct involvement in relationship enrichment services. | Q: When should we start looking into premarital education or couple enrichment?
A: Ideally, premarital education should begin AT LEAST six months before the wedding. After that time, couples often get consumed with wedding planning and have less time to focus on their relationship. If it is less than six months before your wedding, don't worry; with effort and persistence, you still have the time to learn the skills to make your marriage great from the very beginning. Couple enrichment can occur at any time. A relationship enrichment package would be a wonderful anniversary present. Or, if you're just starting to feel like your relationship has gotten in a rut, couple enrichment services can help you to get that flame going again. | Q: I would like to give a premarital education or relationship enrichment package for a wedding or anniversary gift. What should I do to make that happen?
A: First, it is very thoughtful of you to give such helpful gift to that special person in your life. Please email info@trianglerelationshipresources to discuss arrangements. We can provide you with a certificate to present to the couple.
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