Marriage Coaching

MARRIAGE COACHING WITH HEATH

First of all, I'm not a licensed therapist. However, I do have 20+ years of pastoral experience, and I have met with countless couples I pastored to discuss their relationships at all stages: premarital counseling, marriage counseling, and post-marriage/co-parenting counseling. I use that professional and personal experience to guide these premarital and marriage conversations. These sessions are fun, NOT awkward. I promise! And I believe you will find them helpful, insightful, healing, and supportive. 

In his book, "The Four Loves," CS Lewis compares the experience and labor of marriage to that of a garden. He highlights that: "A garden cannot fence and weed itself. It can't prune its own trees or cut its own lawns. A gardener is placed there to do all of these things. The gardener needs tools designed to do specific jobs. She needs knowledge of which plants need what amount of sunlight. He needs to know the amount of water each plant needs. And most importantly, the gardener needs a heart devoted to watching the garden flourish. Without all the preparation, dedication, and hard work, the garden is not a garden at all; it is merely wilderness. And its need for constant care bears witness to its glory - full of life and glowing with all sorts of color, smells, and texture." 

So, just like a healthy and thriving garden, a healthy and thriving marriage doesn't just appear. It needs to be cultivated - requiring equal efforts from both of you. And I use this metaphor as a guide for our sessions. We discuss things like: 

• The kind of marriage/relationship you're desiring.
• The tools to have a healthy, thriving, and connected relationship. 
• Your past, your present, and your future relationship
• Forgiveness and reconciliation
• Developing better communication skills
• Etc.

WHAT TO EXPECT? 

We will meet in person or via ZOOM for 2-3 sessions. Each session will last about an hour and costs $125 a session.  

HOW CAN IT BENEFIT YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

Research shows that participation in premarital education is associated with higher levels of satisfaction and commitment in marriage, lower conflict levels, and reduced divorce chances.

IS IT THE SAME AS COUPLES THERAPY?

No. Premarital counseling or marriage coaching is not psychotherapy. It is not intended to diagnose or treat mental health disorders. The sessions (usually 2-3) are intended to be informative and fun, focusing on establishing a good foundation for a healthy, thriving relationship and marriage.

In contrast, couples therapy can last longer depending on the needs and goals of the couple. That type of therapy focuses more on helping couples work through current issues. And Heath has several good recommendations for marriage therapists in the Tampa Bay Area.