Selecting the Best San Diego Premarital Counselor for You
Finding the best Premarital Counselor in San Diego can be tough. There are so many choices: Biblical Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, etc. With Counseling, one size does not fit all. The type of professional you see matters. It will impact your ability to obtain your goals. Premarital Counseling is an opportunity to strengthen your relationship and prevent disconnection throughout your marriage. The right Counselor will help you build on your relationship strengths and give you the tools you need to bolster your growth areas. Premarital Counseling is an investment into a lasting happy healthy marriage. So, you will want to make sure you are investing in the best way possible.
If you are looking for a Premarital Therapist, here are some questions to ask that will help determine who is right for you:
- Does the Therapist specialize in Relationships? Not all therapists specialize in marital work. Individual and family therapy is different than Premarital Counseling. A few good questions to ask a Counselor is: What percentage of your clients are couples? What specialized training do you have in working with Couples?
- What Kind of Therapy is provided? Each Therapist uses what is called a Theoretical Orientation. This Orientation is important because it tells you how the therapist will view your issues and attempts to help you. Some types of Therapy have been shown to work better for relationships than others. For Premarital and Marriage Counseling, I recommend finding a therapist that uses Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Today, EFT is one of the most empirically validated types of couple’s therapy. In short, it has been proven to work.
- Are you Comfortable? One of the most important factors in getting effective Premarital Counseling is your relationship with the Therapist. Studies show that the therapeutic relationship (how comfortable you feel with the Therapist) plays a big part in reaching your goals. It makes sense; you have to feel non-judged, open and trusting towards your Counselor in order to open up.
Selecting a Premarital Counselor is an important decision you’ll make to ensure a lifelong happy marriage. By asking the right questions, you are more likely to find the best fit for you and your fiance. If you would like more support in finding a Pre-marriage Therapist, feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to talk with you about questions and concerns you may have regarding Premartial Counseling. If you’d like to learn about the other relationship resources I offer, visit me at Chappell Therapy.
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