Marriage Counseling for New Couples

One of the most enjoyable kinds of work a marriage counselor can do is relationship building. We often see couples that have had years of intense conflict, and wish that we could have worked with them in the beginning, to prevent many of the problems that have prevented them from having a loving, fulfilling relationship. New couples tend to experience a period of their relationship in which there is often little conflict, and frequent attachment and intimacy. As the relationship develops, the couple must learn solid communication skills, develop the ability to empathize effectively, and form relationship habits that help them manage the stress of their busy lives as a team, rather than as two individuals living together.


What Services Do You Provide Specifically for New Couples? When we work with couples that are seeking pre-marital counseling, or looking for advice on building a solid foundation for their future together we start by building the basic tools couples need to navigate the most common difficulties faced in the first 5-10 years of marriage. We also get requests from families that are blending together as a result of one or more partners bringing children with them into the new marriage.

With new couples, we teach them how to communicate in a balanced way that promotes listening, empathy, compromise and a deeper understanding of one another. We have seen many, many dysfunctional patterns of arguing in married couples, and work to prevent those patterns from the onset of the relationship. We also help in the formation of healthy behavioral habits that contribute to a happy, health marriage. For a brief idea of some simple examples, see our blog article on 5 Simple Habits That Will Improve Your Marriage.

We'll also help you begin to discuss the biggest sources of conflict for all couples, and work through a picture of what both of you think your family should look like down the road. Some examples of these topics that frequently cause discord if not navigated properly include finances, parenting, intimacy, relationship boundaries with extended family and work / family roles. It can be hugely beneficial to have a trained marriage counselor provide structure and guidance for these discussions to help them be as complete, and productive as possible.

How "New" Do We Need to Be for This Kind of Therapy?

This isn't as much of a time period, as it is a developmental one. When we say "New" couples, we are really referring to couples that are approaching this from a preventative standpoint, rather than a reparative one. This could occur before marriage, or after 10 years of marriage. Couples that go into marriage counseling to avoid problems are far more successful in their goals that couples who are seeking services in a last attempt to avoid a divorce.

How Long Would This Preventative Work Take?

That varies by the needs of each couple. We usually suggest starting with 6 sessions, and assessing progress from there. If there are no major issues that need to be resolved or worked through, relationship building can get a great head start in the 6-10 session range.

If you are interested in finding out more information about our marriage counseling for new couples, fill out our contact form, and have a therapist call and speak with you about it. We would be happy to discuss your circumstances over the phone, and explain how we think we can be helpful. You are also welcome to stop in and speak with a counselor face-to-face before deciding to start therapy. To get in touch and find out how we can help, click here.