Build a Strong Foundation
BeforeYou Say “I Do”
Marriage takes more than love. It takes preparation.
You’re excited about your future — and you should be. But you also know that a great wedding doesn’t guarantee a great marriage. Premarital counseling gives you the awareness, skills, and honest conversations to start your marriage on solid ground — before the hard moments arrive.
I work with engaged couples and seriously dating couples throughout Loveland, Cincinnati, and across Ohio via Telehealth.
Why Premarital Counseling Matters
Research consistently shows that couples who invest in premarital counseling build stronger, more resilient marriages. They communicate more effectively, navigate conflict without damaging their connection, and feel more confident going into married life together.
But let’s clear something up — premarital counseling is NOT:
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A checklist of topics to cover before the wedding
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A sign that something is wrong in your relationship
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Couples therapy for struggling couples
Premarital counseling is proactive, not reactive. It’s about strengthening what’s already good, surfacing conversations worth having early, and building skills you’ll use for the rest of your marriage.
Who Premarital Counseling Is For
I work with engaged couples and seriously dating couples who are:
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Planning to marry and want to prepare intentionally — you love each other and you’re committed, and you want that commitment to thrive
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Blending families and navigating the unique dynamics of stepchildren, co-parenting, and complex family systems
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Coming from different backgrounds — cultural, religious, or socioeconomic — and want to explore how those differences may show up in your marriage
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Entering a second marriage and want to build something healthier by understanding past relationship patterns
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Wanting to get aligned on specific areas: finances, communication, intimacy, career, or family expectations
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Simply being intentional — things are going well, and you want to keep it that way
I also provide affirming, inclusive premarital counseling for LGBTQ+ couples. Your relationship deserves the same thoughtful preparation and support as any other.
What We Explore in Premarital Counseling
Every couple is different, and our sessions are tailored to what matters most to you. That said, here are areas we commonly explore:
Communication and Conflict
How do you talk about hard things? What happens when you disagree — do you avoid, escalate, or shut down? We’ll build skills for honest communication and conflict that doesn’t damage your connection.
Expectations and Roles
Who does what? How do you make decisions together? Many conflicts in marriage come from unspoken assumptions about roles, responsibilities, and what partnership actually looks like day to day.
Money and Finances
Separate accounts or joint? How do you handle debt, spending differences, savings goals? Money is one of the top sources of conflict in marriage — talking about it early matters.
Family of Origin
What did you each learn about relationships, conflict, and love from the families you grew up in? How will you navigate in-laws, holidays, and family expectations as you build your own family?
Intimacy and Connection
What does intimacy mean to each of you — emotionally, physically, spiritually? How do you stay connected through busy seasons, stress, and change?
Faith and Values
What role does faith or spirituality play in your lives? How will you navigate differences in beliefs, and how will those values shape how you build your life together?
Life Goals and Dreams
Where do you see yourselves in 5, 10, 20 years? Career aspirations, where you’ll live, whether you want children — what does a meaningful life look like to each of you?
Blending Families (if applicable)
How will you navigate relationships with stepchildren, co-parenting with ex-partners, discipline, boundaries, and creating a sense of family that works for everyone?
My Approach to Premarital Counseling
I bring warmth, curiosity, and practical guidance to premarital counseling. My goal isn’t to create problems where none exist — it’s to help you build the awareness and skills to navigate whatever comes your way, together.
As a licensed professional counselor, I’ve completed Level 1 and Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and am trained in the SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) assessment — approaches grounded in decades of research on what actually makes marriages work. That clinical foundation shapes how I structure our work together.
I’ve also been married for over 25 years, and I understand firsthand that a good marriage isn’t conflict-free. It’s built by two people who know how to repair, reconnect, and choose each other — even when it’s hard. That perspective shapes how I show up in the room with you.
I’ll ask questions that might feel a little uncomfortable. I’ll encourage you to talk about things you might be avoiding. And I’ll celebrate your strengths, affirm what’s already working, and remind you that the work you’re doing now is an investment in decades of partnership.
Premarital Counseling Packages
I offer premarital counseling as a package — because marriage preparation works best as a process, not a one-off session. Both packages include 50-minute sessions, flexible scheduling (weekly or biweekly), and in-person or Telehealth options.
The Foundation Package
6 sessions | $950
Personalized premarital counseling covering the topics most relevant to your relationship. No curriculum — just real, meaningful conversations tailored to you as a couple.
Ideal for: Couples who want a focused, structured preparation process without a formal assessment.
The Foundation + SYMBIS Package
8 sessions + SYMBIS Assessment | $1,250
Everything in the Foundation Package, plus the SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) assessment — one of the most widely used premarital assessment tools available. You’ll each complete the online assessment before our first session, and two of our eight sessions will be dedicated to reviewing and integrating your personalized results.
The SYMBIS assessment gives us a richer, more personalized starting point — surfacing strengths, potential areas of growth, and dynamics that are unique to your relationship.
Ideal for: Couples who want a deeper, more structured preparation experience with data-informed insights.
Note: Both packages represent a meaningful savings compared to the standard per-session rate of $180. Prefer to start with a single session? Individual sessions are available at $180 per 50-minute session. Payment plans may be available. Reach out to ask.
When to Start Premarital Counseling
Ideal timing is 6–12 months before your wedding. This gives you time to work through important conversations without the pressure of final wedding planning.
But it’s never too late. Even if your wedding is a few months away — or you’re already married — the work is still worth doing. The goal is building a strong foundation, whenever you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does premarital counseling take?
The Foundation Package includes 6 sessions, and the Foundation + SYMBIS Package includes 8 sessions. Most couples meet weekly or biweekly and complete the process in 2–3 months.
Do we have to be engaged?
No. I work with seriously dating couples who are considering marriage, as well as engaged couples. If you’re committed to each other and thinking about a future together, premarital counseling is appropriate.
What’s the difference between premarital counseling and couples therapy?
Premarital counseling is proactive — it’s for couples in healthy relationships who want to prepare intentionally. Couples therapy addresses existing conflict, communication breakdowns, or relationship distress. They serve different purposes, though the skills overlap.
What is SYMBIS and do I have to do it?
SYMBIS — Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts — is a widely used premarital assessment that gives you and your partner personalized insights into your strengths, communication styles, and potential areas to navigate together. It’s offered as part of the Foundation + SYMBIS Package — it’s not required, but many couples find it adds real depth to the process.
Can I book individual sessions instead of a package?
Yes. If you’re not ready to commit to a full package, individual sessions are available at 80 per 50-minute session. That said, the package format is designed to give you the continuity and depth that makes premarital counseling most effective — and both packages offer meaningful savings over the individual rate.
Do you offer in-person and online sessions?
Yes. I offer in-person sessions at my Loveland, Ohio office and secure Telehealth sessions for couples anywhere in Ohio.
Do you work with LGBTQ+ couples?
Absolutely. I provide affirming, inclusive premarital counseling for LGBTQ+ couples.
What if we’re from different religious or cultural backgrounds?
This is something I work with regularly and welcome. Navigating different backgrounds is part of what premarital counseling is designed to help with — not a barrier to it.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please provide at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule a session. Late cancellations or missed sessions may be charged in full.
Ready to Build Something That Lasts?
If you’re engaged or seriously dating and want to start your marriage with intention, I’d love to work with you. Reach out through my contact form to schedule a free 15-minute consultation — no pressure, just a conversation about whether this is the right fit.
In-person in Loveland, Ohio | Telehealth across Ohio