PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING SUPPORTS A HEALTHY MARRIAGE

Summer is a popular time of year for couples to vow their eternal love to one another. Unfortunately, many couples spend more time planning for their wedding than they do for their future as husband and wife.

An estimated 90% of Americans will marry, but nearly half of those marriages end in divorce because of frequent arguments, dishonesty and infidelity. Every couple has as many as 10 areas of "irreconcilable differences," but they need to learn how to identify and accept them as part of their relationship.

The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists recommends couples seek pre-marital counseling to develop the communication skills and training before committing to marriage. A successful marriage is based on both partners nurturing each other handling conflict in a productive manner and facing the everyday challenges and opportunities that may arise.

When you should seek pre-marital counseling:

- When you are young and never been married. California law requires that individuals under age 18 complete pre-marital counseling before they can file for a marriage license.

- When you need to discuss mutual expectations, cultural and religious differences and feelings about children and finances.

- If you have been engaged or dating for more than nine years, plan on marrying, but have not, it may be time to analyze what is going on.

- When one partner is "commitment-phobic." Find out what lies at the root of the fear so you can move forward in your relationship or move on.

- When you can not resolve significant issues. The number one predictor of divorce is the habitual avoidance of conflict.

- If you are not married yet and already radically disagree about issues related to money, children, chores, work and sex, it may be time to learn how to address differences.

For pre-marital counseling, contact a California Marriage and Family Therapist by visiting www.CounselingCalifornia.com. With its listing of more than 7,500 licensed mental health professionals, CounselingCalifornia.com is an online directory that is user-friendly and searchable by name, location, and
area of expertise.

About CAMFT
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, with 27 chapters throughout the state, is an independent professional organization, representing the interests of licensed marriage and family therapists. CAMFT provides CounselingCalifornia.com as a resource to the public looking for marriage and family therapists located in California. For more information about CAMFT, please call (858) 292-2638 or visit www.camft.org or www.CounselingCalifornia.com.  

Media Contact: Amber Albrecht
Porter Novelli
Phone: (619) 687-7015 or (949) 500-2535
E-mail: amber.albrecht@porternovelli.com