Premarital Counseling

Congratulations on your engagement! And on taking the first step toward investing in your relationship. Whether you are planning the wedding of your dreams, or you decided to skip the altar and opt straight for the honeymoon, premarital counseling is an important step NOT to skip!

You’ve invested so much already in celebrating your love, why not take the time to invest in each other?

As an ordained interfaith chaplain, I have worked with dozens of couples from all kinds of backgrounds. Including LGBTQIA+ couples, couples from different religious backgrounds or spiritual paths (or none at all), to couples where one or both partners have been through divorce and couples with children.

I believe every relationship is unique and I strive to approach our sessions together with the thoughtfulness and sensitivity that you deserve.

No matter how long you have been together, becoming a married couple will have an impact on your relationship. Let’s make sure it is for the better!

I utilize a blend of programs based on the best trainings designed to support couples in their quest for a happy marriage.

I am certified in bothPrepare/Enrich counseling, and in Level #1 and #2 of the Gottman Relationship training and a Leader for the Seven Principles for Making a Marriage Work through the Gottman Institute.

Prepare/Enrich is the #1 premarital and marriage assessment tool. Based on their data, this program increases your chance of having a successful marriage by up to 30% (find out more here: www.prepare-enrich.com).

The Gottman Institute is the gold standard in relationship counseling and offers a variety of resources for couples in every stage of their relationship.

In addition to these programs, I bring in knowledge from my work as a retreat leader, including supporting you in discussions of intimacy and affection, children and families, possible previous divorce and evidence-based strategies for resolving conflict.

I also specialize in supporting couples in which one or more partner is a survivor of assault of intimate partner violence - (if this is the case, I will ask that you also see a licensed therapist concurrent with our sessions.)

The couples I work with have expressed signifcant benefits from the program including:

• Better communication skills.

• Strategies for dealing with conflict.

• The confidence to approach difficult topics with respect and care for one another.

• Opportunities to reflect on what they love about their partner and their relationship as a foundation for a happy marriage!

Finally, unlike most therapist, my training in World Religions informs my ability to speak to family dynamics and cultural considerations that may be present in your relationship.

Differences over religious practices and spiritual expression is one of the least discussed but also top reasons that marriages fall apart. IF this is something that matters to you, I am here to help you work through it successfully!

The Prepare/Enrich Assessment comprises 8 modules evaluating everything from family origin and conflict resolution to intimacy and connection. Once the assessment is complete, I custom design our sessions to best suit your needs as a couple.

Session Breakdown:

A longer intake session plus two (2) additional sessions is the minimum is required in order to review the initial assessment results, practice working through growth areas, and to provide you with enough support to feel confident you have the tools and techniques for a successful marriage.

Intake (2 hours):

In the initial intake session we will review the assessment and discuss both your strengths and growth areas as a couple. I provide you with the full results of your assessment and a workbook to give you the skills to make your marriage work.

2nd Session (90 Min):

In the second session, we will continue your personalized program focusing on the areas of need growth and practicing relationship skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and enhancing your compatibility as a couple.

3rd Session (90 Min):

In the third and final session, we will dive into the areas you would most like to focus on. Whether that be planning for children, financial health, religious or spiritual differences, or whatever areas you would most like to discuss with your partner before you tie the knot! We will also spend time on relationship goals and learning strategies for a healthy and happy marriage!

Additional Sessions (Optional):

Every couple is different. While I do not require additional sessions beyond the three, you may find freedom in knowing that additional couple sessions are available to you after completing the main program. Keep in mind, you need not complete every session before the wedding!

Timeline:

The program typically takes 6 weeks, with us meeting every other week for sessions and you setting aside time for Couple (home)Work on the off weeks. It is possible to meet every week, as long as you can commit the time to the in-between program.

Don't have that kind of time? No worries, I offer a one-year window to complete all three sessions in order to give you the best chance at creating the life and marriage you both wish for.

Where do we meet?

Meetings are via ZOOM unless otherwise arranged. I typically meet with couples during the day, but evening time are available with enough notice.

The cost of the program is based on all three (3) sessions culminating in a Certificate of Completion from the Prepare/Enrich Premarital Counseling Program.

After a FREE initial phone call to see if we are a good fit, you will be sent the Assessment to take separately as a couple. It is important NOT to share of your answers with your partner as this will skew your scoring. [Note: The cost of scoring the Assessment is $35 paid directly to the Prepare/Enrich through their website.]

We will then meet for an Intake Session - scheduled for two (2) hours - in which we will review the Assessment results and you will be given a copy of your Assessment along with a Couples Workbook, for use throughout the program.

Finally, a minimum of two (2) additional Counseling Sessions (90 minutes each) are required to go through the most important areas of YOUR relationship to discuss as a couple.

We will work together to customize these sessions to best meet your needs.

Your Total Investment:

• Initial Phone Call - FREE

• Intake Session (2 hours) - $250

• Counseling Session (90 minutes) x 2 - $170 each

  TOTAL: $590

NOTE: Additional Sessions may be added at your discretion and can be discussed before or after we conclude the standard program.