The document provides information about premarital and remarriage counseling services offered by Family Room Services. It describes the typical structure of premarital counseling sessions, including exploring relationship history, expectations, strengths and weaknesses, communication, finances, family backgrounds, and providing a framework for how the relationship may progress. The goal is to inform couples about potential issues and unrealistic expectations to prepare them for marriage.

1. The counselor is not there to approve or disapprove the relationship. He or she is there to
inform the relationship. He or she should
Family Room Services
inform the couple about possible pitfalls
Premarital
& Remarital
Counseling
within their relationship and unrealistic
expectations. A skilled counselor will be
able to guide the couple in recognizing
their strengths and weaknesses. Premarital counseling provides couples with a
framework about how their relationship
may progress.
FRS
300 Garrisonville Rd, Ste 302
Stafford, VA 22554
Phone: 540-300-1973
E-mail: drdave@familyroomservices.com
Tel: 540-300-1973

2. Premarital &
Remarital Counseling
Reactions from
Sessions
Premarital counseling should be between six to
the family should
eight sessions. Administrative issues should
be explored. The
Premarital counseling is not the same as post-
be addressed prior to the first session. This
counselor will
marital therapy. Premarital is educational and
should include fees, materials supplied, time,
discuss family
preventive while post marital is reparative. The
and location. The structure and boundaries
types and geno-
skills of this type of work are not tuned on looking
should be address.
grams. Sometimes parents are invited
for a problem. Re-marital counseling addresses
Session one should be
into the session to share their pearls of
the specific needs of couples working their sec-
about building rapport
wisdom and pass on their legacy to the
ond or more marriages.
and establishing a
young couple. Previous marriages and
working relationship.
relationships will also be addressed in
This session explores
this session.
Traditionally, premarital counseling has been
conducted by clergy. Too often, clergy members
are inadequately trained in counseling and therapy. They may skip the tough subjects of premarital counseling, opting to focus their attention on
the wedding.
The counselor's
role is more
than guidance.
Within premarital counseling,
this role is vital
to the understanding of the
relationship. He
or she should
be knowledgeable and competent in counseling and should have some level of training and
recognize any educational limitations.
the relationship his-
The following session addresses the area of
tory, how it was
finances, insurances, savings, and budg-
formed, current is-
eting skills. This session may also in-
sues, expectations, and level of involvement.
The next session should discuss a premarital in-
clude the wedding preparation and concerns. Topics and issues may include
strument such as the PREPARE. Ideally, the
type of ceremony (civil or religious), reli-
instruments should be fills out prior to this
gious beliefs regarding the wedding and
session. The results are discussed and feed-
if necessary remarital and cultural is-
back provided to the couple.
sues.
The last session is the post wedding session.
The following session deals with communication
and conflict management, finances, leisure
activities, religious practices, friends, selfesteem and power intimacy and sexuality.
This section may include multiple sessions.
The next session addresses family of origin issues.
It should be about 6 months after the
wedding. Counselors should review of
the previous session, gather feedback,
and suggest a marriage enrichment program.