You’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. You’ve planned the wedding, found the perfect venue, and are dreaming of the future. But have you done the work to prepare for the marriage itself?
Many couples spend months planning a wedding, but very little time planning their marriage. That’s where the SYMBIS Assessment (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) by Dr. Les and Leslie Parrott comes in.
Often called the “gold standard” of premarital assessments, SYMBIS is designed to help you and your partner build a solid foundation. While it covers topics like finances, communication, and spirituality, one of its most powerful components is the Deep Personality & Compatibility Profile.
Here is a breakdown of why this specific section is a game-changer for couples.
What is the Deep Personality & Compatibility Profile?
The SYMBIS Assessment is not a typical personality test. It is a comprehensive tool that takes over 300 individual questions (taking only about 30 minutes to complete) to create a personalized 15-page report.
The Deep Personality & Compatibility Profile doesn’t just tell you that you are “introverted” or “fast-paced.” Instead, it looks at how your unique personality interacts with your partner’s personality to create a unique dynamic.
- Based on Research: The assessment is rooted in decades of research by psychologists Les and Leslie Parrott.
- The “Pinwheel” Model: SYMBIS uses a pinwheel model to map out personality dynamics. This helps you see where your personalities match and where they contrast, allowing you to understand the natural rhythm of your relationship.
Key Areas Explored
The deep personality dive within the report covers several crucial areas:
1. Your Individual “Marriage Mindset”
SYMBIS categorizes individuals into one of five marriage mindsets (resolute, rational, romantic, restless, or reluctant). Understanding if your partner is a “romantic” while you are a “rational” helps explain why you might view conflict or affection differently.
2. Pacing and Equilibrium
Are you a fast-paced “doer” while your partner is a slow-paced “planner”? SYMBIS helps you identify your speed of life. Recognizing these differences helps you avoid frustration and appreciate how you balance each other.
3. Deepest Longing
One of the most profound aspects of the report is identifying your “deepest longing”—the core emotional need you have in a relationship. Knowing this helps you understand why your partner behaves a certain way during moments of insecurity or stress.
4. The “Fight Types”
Conflict is inevitable. The Deep Personality Profile uncovers your fight type. By knowing your tendencies, you can move away from destructive fighting and toward constructive conflict resolution, reducing the risk of divorce.
Benefits of the Deep Personality Profile
- Remove the Blinders: Sometimes we are so in love that we ignore important details. SYMBIS brings these details to light in a gentle, objective way.
- Understand Your “Opposite” Traits: You might love that your partner is spontaneous, but feel stressed by it. SYMBIS helps you see that these differences are meant to complement, not conquer, each other.
- Actionable Insights: The report doesn’t just provide data; it provides over 50 discussion starters that guide you and your partner into deep, constructive conversations.
Why It’s More Than Just a Test
The SYMBIS Assessment is meant to be walked through with a certified facilitator (a counselor, pastor, or mentor). This allows you to not just read your results, but to understand what they mean for your daily life.
By taking this assessment, you are doing more than just gaining knowledge—you are investing in a roadmap for a successful marriage.
Ready to Build a Stronger Future?
If you are engaged, newly married, or even looking to “upgrade” your marriage, the SYMBIS assessment is a vital tool. As the Parrotts say, it’s about “saving your marriage before it starts.”