Premarital Therapy
Why Premarital?
Premarital therapy is one of the most underrated and underused services in mental health, which is a shame because the research is consistent: couples who do this work early are roughly 30% less likely to get divorced and report a higher level or relationship satisfaction over time.
Whether you're preparing for marriage or simply taking the relationship to a new level of commitment, it's an investment that will pay for itself many times over.
how it works
RESEARCH BACKED, BUT TAILORED TO YOU
I’ll start by getting to know you, your relationship, and your goals. From there we will explore areas of your relationship that are most important to you, as well as topics research shows matter most for the long haul.
DEEPENING CONVERSATIONS
In each area, we will explore the beliefs, learned patterns, and attachment dynamics that we may not realize are at play in our relationships. Couples often find these conversations transformative, especially around conflicts that keep repeating. We’ll also celebrate and deepen your existing strengths. And when it's useful, we'll practice real skills you can apply in your relationship immediately.
Because this work is organized around topics rather than problems, it's an easy way to dip your toes into couples therapy, especially if you're curious but hesitant to jump in.
For couples specifically interested in the PREPARE/ENRICH inventory, I am a trained facilitator and am happy to use it as a starting point.
If you’d like to build a strong foundation for your life together, reach out for a free consultation to see if we’re a fit.
Sample Topics
MONEY: what it means to each of you, and how you want to handle it together
FAMILY OF ORIGIN: what's there, what you want to carry forward, and what you'd rather leave behind
IN-LAWS: expectations, boundaries, and how you'll actually hold them
COMMUNICATION: what you're each actually saying, and what the other is actually hearing.
CONFLICT: how you each fight, and whether those patterns serve the relationship
SEX AND INTIMACY: expectations, differences, and what often goes unspoken
FAITH AND VALUES: what you each hold sacred, and how you'll build a shared life around it, including when your traditions differ.