Marriage Counseling

Should I Get Married? 3 Questions to Ask Yourself

2025-06-28T06:55:28+00:00June 28th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues|

There was a time in history when the common reasons for marriage were procreation, social status, food, and economic and physical security. At that point in history, marriages were mostly transactional and parties to such marriages already knew their place in the ensuing marriage. Fast forward to today, there is no denying that there has been a huge shift in the dating and courtship arenas. Most people have more freedom to decide if they want to date, who they want to date, and why. The marriage institution itself, has not been spared from this glaring shift which is probably why you have been asking yourself, “Should I get married?” The question of whether one should get married cannot be answered by a mere yes or no. Most Christian marriage vows include the phrase “till death do us part,” to indicate the commitment the couple has toward each other and their relationship. Because a Christian marriage is ideally intended to be for a lifetime, due consideration must be taken before an individual or a couple commits to a marriage. Ideally, one should ask the question should I get married at two stages of their lives; when they are still single because asking this question when you are already in a relationship will likely cloud your judgment. Secondly, this question should also be asked when one is in a serious relationship with someone to try and determine whether they are the right partner. It is a question that requires deep introspection, regular consultation with scripture, and constant prayer. While counselors, pastors, and the Bible may provide a solid roadmap, you ultimately need to decide whether to get married. It is a fact that most churches put more value on the marriage institution over singleness and this, in turn, puts pressure on [...]

Comments Off on Should I Get Married? 3 Questions to Ask Yourself

Emotional Baggage, Communication, and the First Year of Marriage

2025-01-22T05:41:54+00:00January 22nd, 2025|Couples Counseling, Featured, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Bringing emotional baggage from past relationships into your marriage can significantly impact communication and intimacy. Past trauma or unresolved issues can color your perceptions and your reactions. It’s important to address your emotional issues individually and as a couple to ensure that they don’t interfere with your marriage. Understanding Emotional Baggage We often hear the term “emotional baggage” in everyday life, but until it is applied to and interfering with our own lives, we may not fully understand the impact it can have on a relationship. Sometimes the term gets used out of context or is misused to mean past experiences. We have all had negative or damaging experiences in our lives but that doesn’t mean that we are forever broken. We may be broken, but we can be put back together, mended, and healed through God’s grace and compassion. Just because we have an experience, doesn’t mean that we are allowing those things to damage our current or future relationships. True emotional baggage refers to the unresolved emotional issues from past experiences that individuals carry into new relationships. This baggage can manifest in various ways such as distrust, fear of vulnerability, or unresolved anger. In a marriage, this baggage can create barriers to open communication and emotional intimacy, as past traumas or unresolved issues may color perceptions and reactions, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. Impact on Communication The presence of emotional baggage can significantly impact the way partners communicate. Here are some common ways it can affect communication: Distrust and Suspicion Past betrayals or infidelities can lead to distrust in a new relationship. This distrust can manifest as suspicion and constant questioning, which can strain communication, undermine intimacy, and create tension. Fear of Vulnerability Emotional wounds from past relationships can make individuals hesitate to open up and be [...]

Comments Off on Emotional Baggage, Communication, and the First Year of Marriage

Advice for Newlyweds: 5 Practical Tips

2024-12-20T11:46:51+00:00August 23rd, 2024|Couples Counseling, Featured, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues|

You did it! The months of planning resulted in a stunning wedding day, and you have returned from a magical honeymoon. Now, it is time to settle into life as a couple. This is where the rubber meets the road, and you will truly become one – one household, that is. Advice for newlyweds can help. Advice for Newlyweds: 5 Tips Newlyweds experience heightened emotion and adrenaline in the early days of marriage. Settling down into the mundane aspects of living together takes some adjustment. It is normal to experience growing pains this season as you become more intimately involved in work schedules, household tasks, and habits that you each have developed independently and now must mesh together. Give each other personal space This applies both to your physical space and your time. Retaining your individual friendships is important, so let your partner have girls’/guys’ nights out without you. Do not micromanage your spouse’s other relationships. Each of you brings your own tastes and hobbies to the relationship. Whether it be tools, craft supplies, games, or any number of things, communication about storage and decorative aesthetics is good to have when deciding how to organize your new household. Work out a household budget Nobody likes talking about money, but avoiding the conversation is a certain way to create conflict. Whether you join your bank accounts or not, you both need to decide how bills will be paid, how groceries will be acquired, and how to build up savings for the future you want to have together. Other things to work out include: Insurance coverage: health, car, house. Retirement plans. Fun money. Discuss the division of labor in the house The house needs to be cleaned, the cars need maintenance, and laundry and dishes are never-ending. If you are both [...]

Comments Off on Advice for Newlyweds: 5 Practical Tips
Go to Top