Premarital Counseling

I specialize in working with interfaith and mix-belief couples where partners come from different religious backgrounds, or where one follows a spiritual path but the other does not. Even if you no longer see yourself as “religious” or our recovering from religious exclusion or trauma, learning to talk about your spiritual background and desired future is an essential part of any successful marriage.

With over a decade of experience in working with couples, I utilize a blend of evidence-based programs and incorporate the best tools designed to support couples in their quest for a happy marriage.

I am certified in:

• Prepare/Enrich Premarital and Relationship Counseling

• Gottman Method Couples Therapy training

• Leader of the Seven Principles for Making a Marriage Work

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.

The couples I work with have expressed significant 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!

Specializations:

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.

With a decade of experience as an interfaith spiritual counselor and chaplain, I am skilled at working with couples of different faith backgrounds or those who grew up in a faith tradition to which they no longer belong. Religious trauma can be a difficult thing to navigate in marriage and it helps to have someone fluent in this language.

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!

Trauma-Informed Care:

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.) I am a certified Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor and can provide some strategies for addressing how a history of intimate partner violence can impact future relationships.

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:

An extended intake session plus three (3) additional sessions is the minimum required for Premarital Counseling. During this time, we will review the Assessment results, practice working through growth areas, and provide you with enough support to feel confident you have the tools and techniques for a successful marriage.

Extended Intake Session (1 ½ hours):

During the extended intake session we will review the Assessment that you each completed separately prior to the session 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 (60 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 (60 Min):

In the third session, we will dive into the areas you would most like to focus on. Whether that be planning for children, financial health, relationship dynamics, or whatever areas you most need to work on as a couple and discuss with your partner before you tie the knot!

Final Session (60 Min):

In the final session, will focus on your goals and dreams for your self and as a couple. We will practice some strategies for building the life that you want as a couple. This may include topics like sex and affection, life transitions (such as aging parents or navigating grief), and parenting or family dynamics that may come up. In the end, you will leave feeling well equipped to communicate better, love wholeheartedly and embark on your journey toward a healthy and happy marriage!

Additional Sessions (Optional):

Every couple is different. While I do not require additional sessions beyond the intake + three counseling session, 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 and can always come back for more!

Timeline:

The program typically takes 4 weeks, following the completion of the Assessment, schedules permitting. However, I am happy to extend the sessions to create more time for your Couple (home) work, if needed.

What if we are getting married soon?

No problem, I offer a one-year window to complete the program 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 work day, but evening time are available with enough notice.

After the FREE initial phone call if we are a good fit, the cost of the program is based on the extended intake session and three (3) counseling sessions culminating in a Certificate of Completion from the Prepare/Enrich Premarital Counseling Program.

You and your partner will each receive and email with a unique link to the Assessment to take separately. 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 extended Intake Session (scheduled for 1 ½ hours to assure we have enough time) in which we will review the Assessment results and you will be given a copy of your Assessment along with a Couples Workbook, and personalized information package for use throughout the program.

Finally, a minimum of three (3) additional Counseling Sessions (60 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 (90 minutes) - $300

• Counseling Session (60 minutes) x 3 - $225 each

  TOTAL: $975

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