Relationship Education & Counseling

 
While  attendance at pre-marriage courses is not a condition of being able to marry in a civil ceremony, all civil celebrants are required to give the couples they marry, a copy of the government information pamphlet for couples planning to marry.  Happily Ever Before ... and After, together with information on available pre-marriage education courses. We are also required to urge you to sign up for a course.

Pre-marriage courses are not counseling.  No-one is suggesting there is anything wrong with your relationship! Rather, courses are aimed at opening the conversation around all aspects of a relationship - everything from intimacy to money. The government sees it as a preventative measure.

This video, meant to help celebrants raise the question, comprehensively explains the benefits of pre-marriage education.

Personally, I've never had a problem talking about this requirement, as the fact that I am required to raise it with every couple makes it clear that I'm not making a personal judgement!



Make Love Infectious
A brilliant TED talk about relationships by Dr Wendell Rosevear

Family Relationship Advice Line: 1800 050 321

Services  Provided by Relationships Australia

 
  • F.O.C.C.U.S pre-marriage education via a private discussion process using a questionnaire and a trained facilitator (available to same sex couples also)
  • Relationship Education – courses for couples and individuals looking for new skills and ways of improving their relationship.
  • Marriage and Relationship Counseling for couples, individuals and families who are seeking improved relationships, or resolution of relationship difficulties.

Contact:  Relationships Australia (Queensland). Locations throughout Queensland
Phone: 1300 364 277
Website: http://www.raq.org.au

Services Provided by Better Relationships (Anglicare)

 
Northside:  408 Gympie Road, Strathpine  QLD  4500
Phone:  (07) 3841 4901
Website: http://www.betterrelationships.org.au
New clients: 1300 114 397

Southside:  221 Logan Road, Buranda, Q, 4102  Buranda  QLD  4102  (Access via Toohey St)
Phone: 1300 114 397
Website:  http://www.betterrelationships.org.au

Services Provided by Centacare

 
Overview information about relationship education services provided by Centacare http://centacarebrisbane.net.au/family-relationship-services/overview/

Contact:
Level 1, 229 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: 1300 CENTACARE (1300 236 822)
Email: centacare@bne.catholic.net.au
Website: www.centacarebrisbane.net.au

The Prepare-Enrich Program

 
The PREPARE-ENRICH program is designed to assist a variety of professionals (mainly counselors, educators and religious celebrants) working with premarital or married couples. Professionals who have been trained and accredited to use the PREPARE-ENRICH materials in Australia are called Facilitators. For a couple, after being invited to participate and having the program explained to them, the first step is to take on-line the Customized Version of PREPARE-ENRICH in order to provide a self-report description of their relationship.

Contact:
National Office
PREPARE-ENRICH
PO Box 448
Sutherland NSW 1499
Australia  Telephone:  (02) 9545 4566 
Website: www.prepare-enrich.com.au

Online Resources

 


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