At The Centre for Integrated Therapies we believe that marriage in all its forms is a sacred act and that the vows we take on that day, in whatever form they may be, are more than just words. They are binding promises made to yourselves, each other and to your children now or in the future, and are not to be broken lightly or without due regard for the damage such a choice inevitably creates. 

While it is possible to maintain a positive and supportive marriage over a lifetime, it is very rarely easy. Spending time before making the legal, emotional and spiritual commitment to marriage considering the basic framework on which your relationship will be built can be invaluable.

We have developed our program 'Preparing for a Successful Marriage' to help ensure that couples are properly prepared for the joys and challenges of married life and are able to find strength and harmony together throughout their lives. One of the outcomes of this program is the creation of an informed and considered marriage contract which you can use when creating your marriage ceremony and when discussing your relationship strategies.

It is important to note that the programs offered by CIT are not based on or affiliated with any religious organisation or beliefs. We respect the integrity of partnerships and families of all kinds and offer advice and guidance based on our wide knowledge and experience of working with individuals and families in crisis, not on any religious teaching or principles. We aim to provide an entirely unbiased and non-judgemental viewpoint designed to strengthen the bonds of family units however they may be created.

Our programin 'Preparing for a Successful Marriage' has the following sessions:

1. The Fundamental Nature of Relationships. What are the features of successful relationships? What is the purpose of marriage and what do wedding vows actually mean?

2. Ethical and Moral Beliefs in Marriage. What values do you and your partner have? Are they compatible? Can you successfully hold differing views?

3. Finances in All Phases of the Relationship. Who will be the breadwinner in your family and who will control the purse strings? How will life events change the financial basis of your relationship?

4. Becoming Parents. Are you intending to have children, and if so how many? Who will be the primary carer and what are your fundamental beliefs about parenting?

5. Culture and Religion. What are your fundamental cultural and religious beliefs? How do these affect your view of marriage and the role of the spouse? Can people from different cultural and religious backgrounds live harmoniously and how will this affect your views on raising children?

6. Sex and Marriage. Does getting married mean your sex life has to change? What is the role of sex in marriage? How will you manage changes to sexual desire and expectations in different phases of married life?

7. Dealing with Conflict. How do you deal with conflict in your relationship? What are your feelings about conflict as a part of married life? What do you need from your partner to successfully manage conflict in your family?

8. Communicating with Your Partner. What importance do you place on keeping lines of communication with your partner open? Are your communication styles compatible? How will you manage breakdowns in communication or keep talking during periods of stress? How will decisions affecting the family be made?

9. Sharing Emotions. How do you express your emotions? What strategies do you use to avoid unpleasant emotional feelings? Does your partner know how to read your emotional cues? How can you develop an emotional language that you both understand?

10. Commitment. What do you understand the vows you intend to take to mean? What does commitment mean to you? How will you deal with periods of pressure or stressing your marriage? What are the behaviours that are absolutely unacceptable to you and would cause you to leave the marriage?

 

To enrol in this program please contact us at the clinic on 01225 316670 or email us at mail@centreforintegratedtherapies.com.