There’s a common misconception that going to premarital counseling means there is something wrong with your relationship. The truth is that most engaged couples are happy with their partner and are having no doubts about their shared future together. Typically, couples seek out premarital counseling to get educated and prepare for the common challenges of marriage. They want to know their areas of strengths and where they have potential for growth. They care deeply about their relationship and want to intentionally create a strong and satisfying marriage.
One of the secrets to making a relationship last a lifetime is preparing for what may happen in our shared future. Our classes are a great way to learn how to do this. For those who are really looking to “cover their bases,” signing up for a single private session to go over an assessment with a trained counselor may meet that need. Any subsequent sessions are completely up to you!
Yes, of course. We offer private counseling sessions in our therapy office at our normal hourly rate.
For couples who have big fights or have serious issues to hash out, contact us — let’s discuss what’s happening in your relationship, and what your goals are for premarital counseling. The workshop may or may not appropriate for your needs, so let’s chat and figure out what the best option might be for you.
Second (and third and fourth) marriages are increasingly common, and increasingly complicated. Blending families, dealing with stepchildren, grown children, or co-parenting with exes can all add strain to your new relationship. Add to this the tendency to pick partners with similar traits as mates, and it’s no wonder that — despite being older and wiser — marriage continues to be hard work.
Research has shown that second and later marriages are at higher risk for dissatisfaction and/or divorce than first marriages. There are many different ways that data might be interpreted, but one thing that seems apparent is that intentional effort and planning are essential. Premarital counseling can help!
We use a completely secular, behavior-based approach to help you achieve your relationship goals. In fact, we are one of the few providers of non-religious premarital counseling in Austin. That said, we know that spiritual and religious beliefs can be an important part of a marriage for many folks. We have great respect for all spiritual paths. We can also help partners with different religious backgrounds negotiate more peace and acceptance about differing beliefs.
The Prepare/Enrich assessment is used by many religious counseling organizations and does ask general questions about the role of faith in your relationship. But this will only become a part of your session if this is an area of concern for you and your partner.
Premarital counseling is an opportunity to develop the skills and habits that will build and maintain a deep connection with your partner. The right counselor can help you capitalize on your relationship strengths and give you the tools you’ll need to bolster your growth areas.
Premarital counseling is an investment in your future, so you’ll want to make sure you’re investing in the best way possible.
If you are looking for a premarital therapist or a premarital class, here are some questions you may want to ask:
Do they have specialized training to work with couples?
In addition to being licensed mental health counselors, all of our educators are trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and are certified Prepare/Enrich facilitators. We have experience working with a range of couple concerns. Whatever you are seeking, we can help you achieve your relationship goals.
What kind of therapy do you provide?
The Gottman Method and Prepare/Enrich are two of the most well researched and respected therapeutic approaches for working with relationships. Both approaches are based on decades of research with thousands of couples and have empowered millions of couples to create satisfying marriages. Also, unlike many organizations and individuals who offer premarital counseling in Austin, we work from a firmly non-religious point of view.
Do you both feel comfortable with the therapist?
Research shows that trusting your counselor and feeling comfortable are the two most important factors for achieving your goals. We offer a free 15-minute phone call to help you decide if we are the best fit for your needs. Contact us to set up your consultation!
The short answer is: Of course! Everyone is welcome!
The longer answer is: While most of the referenced research was originally done primarily or exclusively on cis-gendered, heteronormative couples, it has since been validated on same-sex and gender diverse couples. (I can say this more authoritatively about Gottman research than Prepare/Enrich). LGBT couples certainly face some unique challenges that I can get into to your level of interest, but the underlying dynamics of building a strong relationship are universal.
Short answer: yes!
Longer answer: While most of the research was originally done in the US, it has been since validated across multiple cultures and languages. The underlying dynamics of creating a satisfying relationship are universal!
I’m not able to provide dual language instruction myself, but I may be able to point you toward someone who does. Contact me directly if you have this concern.
All classes are refundable minus a $35 processing fee up to 60 days prior to the first class date. After that time, due to facility reservation and supply costs, classes are not refundable. However, at any time you can transfer from one class to another without penalty, or convert to other clinical services without penalty.
Private sessions can be canceled or rescheduled up to 24 hours in advance. Sessions canceled with less notice are charged at the full rate.