When planning a wedding, couples often focus on the big-ticket items—like the engagement ring. But while that ring is a beautiful symbol of commitment, it doesn’t prepare you for the realities of marriage. Investing in pre-marital counselling, particularly using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), could be the smarter choice for ensuring a successful and lasting relationship.
Here’s why:
1. Communication is Key—Rings Don’t Help with That
While an engagement ring can dazzle, it doesn’t help when conflicts arise. Effective communication, however, is essential to resolving problems and maintaining a healthy marriage. Pre-marital counselling with EFT teaches couples to break negative communication patterns and understand each other’s emotional needs, ensuring a deeper, more resilient connection.
Research shows that couples who undergo EFT-based counselling significantly improve their communication skills, making them better equipped to handle future disagreements.
2. Emotional Bonding Lasts Longer Than a Diamond
While the ring symbolises love, pre-marital counselling helps couples build the emotional intimacy needed to sustain that love over the long term. EFT focuses on strengthening emotional bonds and helping couples understand and respond to each other’s emotional triggers.
Studies confirm that EFT-based counselling leads to higher relationship satisfaction and deeper emotional connections, laying the groundwork for a strong, lasting partnership.
3. Prevention is Better Than Cure
Pre-marital counselling isn’t just for solving current problems—it’s a preventive measure. EFT helps couples recognise and address potential issues before they escalate into major conflicts. This approach equips partners with the tools they need to handle future stresses in a healthy and productive way.
Investing in pre-marital counselling builds resilience in your relationship—something that’s far more valuable than a piece of jewellery.
4. A Strong Foundation Outlasts Financial Strain
Many couples feel financial pressure to spend big on a wedding and engagement ring. However, building a solid emotional foundation is far more crucial to a successful marriage. Pre-marital counselling with EFT ensures that you and your partner are emotionally connected, even when external stressors arise.
The Bottom Line
While an engagement ring is a beautiful symbol of love, pre-marital counselling is an investment in your relationship’s emotional strength and long-term health. By focusing on communication, emotional intimacy, and conflict resolution, EFT-based counselling helps you build a foundation for a successful marriage—something far more valuable than any material possession.
Before splurging on the ring, consider investing in your future together with pre-marital counselling. It’s a decision you won’t regret.
Testimonials
"Thanks, Aaron, we could feel the benefits of each couple counselling session, even in our first session. We had done lots of work with different psychologists individually and as a couple prior to our first session, but the work with you feels deeper and different, in a good way. Just by helping us to slow down during the session makes us more aware of our primary emotions."
“Aaron is a truly talented psychotherapist and relationship counsellor who cares deeply for his clients. I recommend his services without hesitation. Thanks for taking our marriage from ‘good’ to ‘amazing’ Aaron, we are forever grateful!”
“My husband and I were very fortunate to see you … You (without a doubt in my mind) saved our marriage. Everything is wonderful currently … Eternally grateful. I truly mean every word. Very grateful to you”
"Aaron was very straight forward and honest. Clear about the approach and consistent in helping us change our patterns. The greatest accomplishment through this counselling process is connecting with my partner on an emotional level."
"I couldn't find the words ... Thank you so much for helping us throughout my family problem and obstacles ... not just our marital problems but more particularly to my son ... you're such a truly blessing to him."
"What we gain through the couple counselling process with Alive Counselling was greater insights into family of origins and the sources of [our] emotional pain. Stronger connection to partner."
“Thank you for the difference you’ve made to the life of our family. We are so blessed to have found you.”
"Aaron helped my partner and I reconnect. Not only with each other but within ourselves. Really listening to each other and not just 'doing the angry, dysfunctional dance'. We received lots of practical tips to manage in times of stress."
"Aaron is very patient and level headed ... What we gain through the couple counselling process with Alive Counselling was better awareness of the emotional cycle and triggers with my partner. What was most helpful about the counselling process was slowing the emotional reaction down to get to a calmer position ."
"The greatest accomplishment through this couple counselling process, was developing emotional vulnerability and being celebrated for that. What I like about Aaron is his excellent construction of a safe environment. Very educational process."
“[My partner] and I are doing well. We continue to use your strategies to slow things down ... We have also recommended you to friends of ours.”
“We used to think the ’honeymoon phase’ is just the early experience of a relationship that will end, and did not realise it is possible to feel the same ‘honeymoon’ experience again. Through the counselling process, we are so excited that we can connect deeply like we did early in our relationship.”
“[What I gain from the counselling process with Alive Counselling] It reminded me that there is a reason for everyone’s behaviour and to be more conscious and empathetic of that.”
“[The most helpful part of the counselling process] Insight to where a lot of my characteristics come from and why. Being reminded of what the basic needs of every human is.”
“[What I like about the way my counsellor works] Was able to bring out a lot of things about myself that I hadn’t realised. I did find counselling helpful and I thank Aaron for his time and advice.”
“[The benefits or changes I noticed in myself] Being able to label emotions and address them in the moment and being more mindful of my partners emotions.”
