Pre-Marriage Counselling Tysons Corner, VA
Admitting that you and your partner need help in your relationship can be difficult to come to terms with. Experiencing challenges in a relationship should not be taken lightly. Sometimes, people wait far too long before they seek help from a professional. Experienced, licensed therapist in mental health and pre marriage counseling Tysons Corner VA couples need at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates with many years of experience can work with you and your partner. They can help you and your partner develop the skills needed to begin to repair your relationship, and effectively communicate with one each other.
What Should We Expect?
Although the strategies of a therapist may differ, you can expect couples therapy sessions or pre marriage counseling Tysons Corner VA residents trustto involve both you and your partner meeting with a therapist. Your therapist will approach working with you from an unbiased and objective point of view by not taking sides in your relationship. You can expect that your therapist will help you and your partner build skills to aid in repairing and strengthening your relationship. You and your partner will be asked to examine unhealthy patterns in your relationship and create a plan or strategize with your therapist regarding the changes you and your partner will make.
Work Goes Beyond Your Sessions
You cannot expect your relationship to change overnight. It can take time to identify and repair unhealthy patterns in your relationship. Both you and your partner will be expected to not only participate in sessions with your therapist, but to do some work outside of the office as well. Your therapist may give you homework or strategies to work on in your own time. This is vital to making changes as working on your relationship takes intention and commitment.
The Benefits of Going to Sessions for Pre Marriage Counseling in Tysons Corner, VA
Pre marriage counseling in Tysons Corner, VA is becoming a popular form of couple counseling as it prepares a couple for long term commitment and can increase the chances of marital satisfaction. Premarital counseling helps both people to identify various issues in their relationship and equipping them with the tools and skills needed to work through, and resolve, current and potential future conflicts. Each person will be encouraged to discuss their needs and expectations regarding the marriage. Indifferences may also be identified; after which, a couples counsellor will help each person to address and resolve them in a way that is satisfying for both people.
Pre marriage counseling in Tysons Corner, VA is typically conducted by a licensed therapist; however, some religious leaders will also offer counsel. In general, premarital couples counseling sessions will last for 5-8 weeks, with one session per week being held.
Why You May Want to Consider Couples Counseling Before Marriage
Premarital counseling can prepare you and your future spouse for the demands of marriage. Guided by a professional therapist, and held in a comfortable, supportive environment, these sessions encourage healthy dialogue that may explore topics that might otherwise find it difficult to talk about.
Pre marriage counseling in Tysons Corner, VA can also draw attention to each person’s weaknesses in the relationship. These weaknesses may then be addressed in a way that is constructive and conducive to the relationship. Future problems may also be anticipated, so when and if they do arise, each person will have a better understanding about how they can be handled.
Questions that May Be Addressed During Couples Counseling Sessions
It is possible for common marital problems to be avoided when a couple puts in effort for planning out their marriage. Although it is not possible to anticipate every scenario that could arise, there are common issues that can be addressed before the marriage.
How Will Family Stress Be Handled?
Stress is a natural part of life. In marriage, stress will almost certainly occur. Although every person handles stress in their own way, it is beneficial for each person to understand how they manage stress and how these methods compliment one another. For example, what happens if both people tend to get upset and lash out when stressed out? Or, what if one person prefers to talk about things while the other one would rather deal with their stress privately? A couples counsellor for pre marriage counseling in Tysons Corner, VA can encourage healthy dialogue about how to handle family stress when it arises.
How Will Finances Be Handled?
Money can create conflict. A difference in income, spending habits, and behaviors towards debt can affect a marriage. Issues regarding money and whether to keep finances separate, who will pay for expenses, whether a prenuptial agreement should be signed, and so forth may arise. If these issues are not thought through, they can lead to a conflict.
Will We Have Children?
It is common for people to enter into a marriage without discussing the idea of having children, and how many. Furthermore, when this subject is discussed before marriage, these preferences can, and often do, change. Once children are involved, how will they be raised. What are the expectations of each parent? What happens if natural conception is not possible? How does one another feel about adoption? These questions are important to address, especially before marriage.
There are many other questions to consider before getting married. If you are interested in pre marriage counseling in Tysons Corner, VA, please call Lindsey Hoskins & Associates.
When Your Partner Refuses
One of the biggest barriers a couple may experience when it comes to couples therapy, or pre marriage counseling Tysons Corner VA couples turn to, is when one person in the relationship does not want to participate. This can certainly present a huge problem when trying to take steps to make healthy changes in your relationship. As frustrating as this may be, you can’t force a person to do something they don’t want to do. It may be helpful to ask your partner the reason behind their resistance. The reason may be easily addressed, making it a possibility to get buy in from them. There are a number of reasons a person may refuse therapy that include:
Fear of being vulnerable
Believing that a therapist will be judgmental about the relationship
The mindset that therapy won’t work
Believing that you can work through your issues without a therapist
Contending with such barriers can make it especially difficult when trying to encourage your partner to go to therapy or pre marriage counseling Tysons Corner VA relies on. In some cases, when a partner is willing to at least give the process a try, they will see the benefit. If your partner is still not willing to go to therapy, it may make sense for you to try individual counseling instead.
Pre Marriage Counseling in Tysons Corner VA
Many couples may be unsure about what to expect when signing up for their very first therapy session for pre marriage counseling in Tysons Corner, VA. They may not know what they are supposed to do, and what the experience may be like. Some couples may worry that talking about problems will only make things worse. However, the intention of pre marriage counseling in Tysons Corner, VA is to provide a safe space for each partner to feel like they can express their thoughts and feelings. Here are some of the most prevalent questions couples have when considering booking their first appointment with Lindsey Hoskins & Associates.
What is the role of a couples therapist?
During counseling sessions, a therapist is there to help guide partners through difficult discussions. These topics can include things like trust issues, loneliness, betrayal, infidelity, money, sex, passion, resentments, anger, children, and more. A therapist is to be unbiased, neutral, and never take sides. Couples may be able to communicate in a considerate way when things are going well, but it is key that they are able to do this during the hard times too. A therapist commonly works with couples who have communication obstacles at pre marriage counseling Tysons Corner, Virginia trusts.
What are the goals of couples therapy?
The overall goal of therapy is to grow as individual people, and together as a couple. Sessions often involve self-reflection, in addition to an increased awareness of why you and your partner may engage in the same cycle of arguments repeatedly without achieving resolution. Therapy can entail learning new communication skills, and applying them in everyday life during interactions with our partner. Couples may find they gain more clarity about:
- What may be blocking them from becoming the partners they want to be
- Fears that could be stopping them from sharing true trust and intimacy
- The kind of life they envision in the future within the relationship/marriage
- How to heal from past hurts in order to have a more blissful relationship
Are there any changes I may have to make?
Some partners may feel nervous about being coaxed out of their emotional comfort zone in Tysons Corner, VA pre marriage counseling. Your therapist may encourage couples to try new approaches such as listening without interrupting, communicating vulnerably without defenses, taking an emotional risk instead of being protective, and confronting hidden parts of themselves. While this may sound scary, it does not happen all at once and one of our therapists at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates is there to help guide this transformation.
What is a good way to think about therapy?
It is not uncommon for couples to avoid therapy out of fear of the unknown. But, therapy can be a useful tool to improve yourself so you can be better together. In some instances, one partner may be hesitant to attend therapy out of concern they will be cornered due to past faults or mistakes. While painful experiences may have to be worked through, it is not to punish either partner for flaws but heal from them so you can be happy together. It is important to note that you cannot change your partner, and they cannot change you. Becoming the best version of yourself is the most effective way to change your relationship dynamic.
We are here to help you work through the complexities that may arise in your relationship. It can be hard to admit that it is time for couples counseling, at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates, you can feel confident in knowing that we will approach your particular situation with compassion, openness and kindness. Call a professional in pre marriage counseling Tysons Corner VA trusts today at 703-951-6409; we are here to help you.
Client Review
“Dr. Hoskins and her team have been nothing short of a Godsend for my family and I. Always patient, always ready to help however she can. Her assistance has been a cornerstone in our surviving one of the worst tragedies imagineable for a family to bear.”
Rod S.
