Counselors working with couples who are planning to marry come from a broad array of interdisciplinary backgrounds. The largest portion of this type of counseling is currently provided by clergy. This one volume handbook and training manual for professionals presents a coherent approach for the practice of counseling prior to marriage that draws on a broad background of research and theory and intense practical experience. In Part 1, "Foundations," two topics are addressed: (1) "Developments in Premarital and Remarital Counseling," which offers some historical background on current thought in marriage and family counseling; (2) "Why Marry in the First Place and Why Marry Again," which deals with illusions, myths, motivations, the dimensions of marriage, and bonding. Part 2, "The Counseling Process," develops a model for premarital counseling. It focuses on the couple counseling approach and deals with structural and administrative issues. Topics are: (3) "Foundations and Goals of Premarital and Remarital Counseling"; (4) "Conjoint Counseling and the Dynamic Relationship History"; (5) "Exploring the Family of Origin and Previous Relationships"; (6) "Premarital and Remarital Counseling Inventories." Part 3, "Special Topics," considers: (7) "Remarriage and Step-parenting"; (8) "Group Counseling"; (9) "Communication, Values, Decision Making, and Finances"; (10) "Intimacy and Sexuality"; and (11) "Special Situations." (EMK)