Premarital Counseling
Thank you for your interest in the premarital counseling services I offer at the Center for Marriage
What is premarital counseling?
Premarital counseling is a way to enrich your relationship so that it has every opportunity to grow into a satisfying and stable marriage. Premarital counseling will give you clearer pictures of yourselves as individuals, and of your relationship as a couple; you will learn your strengths, and identify areas where growth is needed. By learning more about yourselves, you will be better able to spot problems developing long before they become a serious threat to your relationship. Typically, premarital counseling covers a variety of topics including: conflict management, friends, finances, spirituality, sexuality, children, gender roles and expectations. You will have the opportunity to discuss the families in which you grew up, and learn how your family experiences influence your couple relationship. Premarital counseling will introduce you to effective ways to communicate and solve problems together.
For most couples, premarital counseling covers the above subjects during four 90 minute sessions, scheduled every other week. Also included is a 165 item computer scored questionnaire called PREPARE. Adjustments will be made to this premarital counseling program for couples requesting help with specific problems.
What can we expect from the counselor?You can expect a relationship with a professional who cares about you and has the experience and skills to help you begin marriage with a realistic outlook and new understanding and skills. You can expect to be treated respectfully and fairly as individuals; and you can also expect the same sensitivity shown toward your relationship as a couple. Good counseling relationships are built upon trust--just like all healthy relationships. The value of premarital counseling should be obvious to you after your first session.
What are the fees?
Premarital counseling is offered at a lower rate than regular couples counseling. The total fee for the standard program of premarital counseling is $630. This includes four 90 minute sessions and the PREPARE questionnaire. The amount of $180 is payable at the first session ($150 plus $30 for the computerized scoring of PREPARE); $150 is payable at each additional session. The program also entitles you to a free follow-up session, usually held six months after your wedding.
Please call (858) 755-3519 if you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment.
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