Research has shown that couples who undergo marriage education have a lower divorce rate than couples who don't (but no guarantee given). In marriage education couples separately fill in an inventory which assesses 12 areas of their relationship, such as attitudes to money, in-laws, conflict resolution skills etc. Results of the inventory from both partners are compared. The comparison serves as a discussion starter to identify strengths, as well as difficult aspects of the relationship. I help the couple to use their strengths to manage difficulties.

Marriage education is interactive, based upon what the couple wants. It is not a school like encounter where the teacher tells the couple what they should do. Nor is it a test of how compatible the couple is, or if the marriage will last. It is a discussion starter about the strengths and challenges in the relationship. It also presents an opportunity to solve some sticky issues that have developed in the relationship.

 

Avoiding the same mistakes the second time around

Research also shows that second and subsequent marriages have an even higher divorce rate than fist marriages. However, counselling can help to identify unhelpful patterns that each partner brings into the new marriage and explore new strategies to avoid repetition of the same mistakes.