Preparing for Marriage
Premarital Counseling Options
A successful marriage requires more preparation than a beautiful wedding! Often couples spend more preparation time and resources on a wedding that will last about 30 minutes than they put into the marriage that we hope will last well over 30 years. We believe the investment you make in quality pre-marital counseling will be an investment that you will never regret.
In the past, many of the clergy performing weddings offered Premarital counsel. Many of them did this in a very informal, unstructured way without any training to do so. Over the years, some clergy have gotten the proper training to do excellent premarital counseling but many have not. Usually when clergy offered the premarital counsel, there was no cost to the couple beyond an honorarium for performing the wedding ceremony; it was a part of the clergy role which was paid for by their clergy salary. Now many clergy realize that this counsel needs to be offered by those trained to provide it. Most clergy also realize how crucial this premarital counsel is to getting marriages off to a strong start. With divorce rates as high as they are in our culture, Southside wants to encourage quality pre-marital counsel as a means of honoring you and your marriage. Below are some options for premarital counseling:
Abundant Life, P.C. — (770) 713-8023
This is a Christian counseling private practice in the area that offers pre-marital counseling. They utilize the Prepare Enrich couples assessment. This program offers couples an opportunity to identify their strengths and areas that need growth while building strong relational skills essential to successful marriages. If the sessions are limited to the structured Prepare Enrich series, pre-marital counseling can be completed in 6-7 sessions. They have a sliding fee scale based on household family income that ranges from $75.00 – $125.00 per session. Call the number above to schedule appointments and discuss any questions you might have.
Winshape’s Prepare to Last (formerly Engaged For Life)
This is a 3 day retreat designed to prepare engaged couples for a successful marriage. It takes place at Winshape’s retreat center. Accommodations require single occupancy per room. It takes place in “an adventurous, fun-filled environment featuring ropes activities, time for personal reflection as a couple, and energetic worship”. It cost $260 per person ($520/couple) and includes the program, meals, lodging, and applicable taxes. For more information go to http://www.winshape.org/marriage.
Prepare Enrich Programs
This is a nationally recognized program which lists facilitators across the country. Facilitators can be clergy, counselors, or other types of lay ministers. To find those trained to facilitate nearest to you, go to the following link: http://www.prepare-enrich.com/couples.cfm?id=35. You can use the search option at this link to determine what type of facilitator you’d like and how to contact this person. Once you’ve contacted the facilitator, that facilitator can let you know their fees. If you want to compare rates this is a good resource to get names from. Most of those trained can be accessed by an e-mail address that is provided by this search.
Marriage Works
This is a counseling ministry that is housed out of a practice called A Growth Place which is located in Stockbridge, Ga. They offer pre-marital counsel which uses the Prepare Enrich series. It cost $85.00 per 2 hour session. The series can be completed in 3 sessions that take place every 2 weeks until completed. You can find out more about this option at http://marriageworksga.org.