Premarital Support: Made Simple and Affordable.

Are you interested in premarital counseling but not sure how to make it fit into your schedule or your budget?  My premarital workshops provide you with the opportunity to receive supported discussions with your partner in combination with the most helpful information about intimate relationships at a fraction of the cost--all conveniently condensed into a single day. 

As an added bonus, you'll get to meet other couples preparing for marriage, too.  And if you find yourself wanting more, you can always seek out personal couples counseling with me after the workshop.    

I limit my workshops to five couples to promote a safe space where we can build a sense of trust with one another as well as to enable our time together to be more personalized to the needs of those attending.  ​

I'm offering two different day long workshops, you are welcome to take only one or to take both in any order.  

Marriage 101: An Overview of Research and Theory On Happy Couples
(And How It Applies To You!)

​In "Marriage 101" I'll share with you what we think we know about the common factors happy couples share.  I'll also provide you with what my experiences as a couples therapist have taught me about how these factors play out in the real world.  Our time together will including a little learning about one chunk of information followed by structured, relevant discussions with your partner and with the whole group.  We'll repeat that format throughout the day. 
​

Patterns and Possibilities:
​Exploring Family Backgrounds, Emotion, and Communication

In "Patterns and Possibilities" we'll explore common areas where couples tend to get stuck as their relationship progresses.  We all come into our intimate relationships carrying a set of assumptions about how people relate to one another, feel emotions, and express what they want and need.  For most of us, we inherited these assumptions primarily from the families we grew up in and we've never considered the possibility that we can do things differently (or learned to appreciate a partner who does these things differently).  Over time, particularly in periods of stress, we can find that these assumptions contribute to patterns in our intimate relationships that feel automatic and unhelpful.  I'll lead you in a series of exercises and conversations with your partner to help you reflect on your individual and shared relationship patterns.  I'll also share with you ideas and solutions to support you in shifting these patterns in preferred ways.  

Schedule & Pricing

Each workshop will start at 8:30 with light breakfast options and introductions.  We will take a mid-morning break, then break for lunch around 12:30.  I encourage you to find a favorite restaurant within walking distance for a lunch date with your partner.  We'll resume about 1:45, take a mid-afternoon break, then conclude by 4:30 pm.  You'll over six hours of content during our eight hours together.  I will confirm exact dates once I have receive enough interest for a   

The cost is $250 per couple per workshop.  This price includes food (excluding lunch) and beverages (coffee, tea, and water) throughout the day.  For less than the cost of two personal sessions with me, you will likely receive similar benefits to attending three sessions.  Payment is due in full within one week of registration.  Refunds will not be available, but I may be able to offer you a credit for a future workshop depending on your circumstances.    

How do I know if personal premarital counseling or a workshop is what's right for us?

​Aside from the practical differences of cost and scheduling, there are a couple of other factors to consider. 

Are you likely to feel more able and willing to reflect and share in a small group or in a session with just your partner and myself? 
If you would feel significantly safer and more comfortable in one context or the other, I would highly encourage you to spend your time and resources where you are going to be most able to be honest with yourself and with your partner.  Please know that I won't force you to share or put you on the spot and that many of your conversations will be primarily between you and your partner.  You can learn about private premarital counseling sessions here.   

Are you currently experiencing specific challenges in your relationship that are causing moderate to significant stress or strain? 
If so, targeting these specific challenges in personal couples counseling will be more likely to effectively get to the heart of things and help you move forward.  My workshops are designed to help anticipate and proactively shore up deficits in the relationship prior to problems developing, but please know you are certainly not alone if you are a premarital couple going through a difficult time.  I've worked with plenty of couples in your shoes and I would be glad to work with you in private sessions.