In-Person in Largo, MD | Online Across DC, MD & VA
Premarital Counseling
Because a strong marriage begins before the vows.
You’re planning a wedding—but what about your marriage?
Beneath the excitement of engagement photos and RSVP lists, there’s a quiet voice asking:
-
- How will we handle conflict when it’s not just about seating charts?
- What happens when our goals shift? Or our income changes?
- Can we really trust each other to show up—especially when things get hard?
Maybe you’ve never talked in-depth about money, in-laws, intimacy, or kids.
Maybe communication gets tense when stress is high.
Maybe you love each other deeply—but still fear repeating the relationship patterns you grew up around.
Or maybe this isn’t your first serious relationship—and you’re determined to do it differently this time.
You’re not doubting your love.
You’re investing in your future.
Premarital counseling isn’t about finding flaws in your relationship—it’s about building the tools, trust, and self-awareness that make your partnership thrive for years to come.
And when those conversations don’t happen—or keep ending in shutdowns, assumptions, or tension—it doesn’t just stay in the relationship.
The emotional weight spills into your workdays, affects how you sleep, how you make decisions, even how you show up with friends and family. One minute you’re coordinating florals and budgets, the next you’re second-guessing whether your partner really understands you.
You might find yourself overcompensating—trying to fix it all, smooth it all, perform calm while your nervous system is anything but.
And that quiet worry starts creeping in:
“If we’re already having these problems now… what happens after the honeymoon?”
That’s the wake-up call. And that’s why you’re here.
Love brought you together. Let’s build what helps you stay.
Imagine knowing your partner has your back—even when you disagree.
Imagine finally talking about money, intimacy, values, and boundaries without shame, shutdowns, or spirals.
Imagine entering marriage with your eyes wide open and your hearts wide open too.
You can create a relationship where:
-
-
- Differences don’t feel dangerous—they feel like an invitation to grow together
- Conflict becomes a portal to deeper trust, not disconnection
- You both feel emotionally seen, sexually understood, and aligned on what “forever” really means
-
That’s what premarital counseling makes possible.
How we get there
We’ll begin by unpacking your relationship patterns—what shaped your views of love, commitment, communication, and conflict.
Using Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), we’ll help you both feel emotionally safe enough to be honest, even vulnerable, without fear of being rejected or misunderstood.
We’ll explore the core pillars of lasting partnership:
-
-
- Communication and repair after conflict
- Financial values and money mindsets
- Sex and intimacy
- Family planning, roles, and expectations
- Life goals, spiritual beliefs, and more
-
You’ll practice tools to co-regulate during tense moments, ask for what you need, and show up for each other with compassion and clarity—not just when things are good, but when they’re hard.
By the end of our work, you won’t just be “ready for marriage”—you’ll be rooted in connection.
Premarital counseling can help you…
-
-
- Build emotional intimacy and strengthen trust before the vows
- Improve communication and learn how to navigate conflict with compassion
- Identify and address potential areas of disconnection before they become resentments
- Understand your shared and differing values around money, family, intimacy, and commitment
- Break generational patterns so you don’t carry old wounds into your new relationship
- Deepen your connection and start your marriage with clarity, courage, and real relational skill
-
You don’t have to wait for a crisis to create the kind of relationship you both deserve.
FAQ's
Q: Do we need to be having problems to start premarital counseling?
A: Not at all. Premarital counseling is proactive, not punitive. Think of it like relationship strength training—you’re building the emotional muscle to handle life’s inevitable stressors with more clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Q: How many sessions do we need?
A: While every couple is different, most benefit from 6 to 12 sessions. That gives us enough time to explore important topics, build key skills, and navigate any challenges that arise before your wedding—and beyond.
Q: What if one of us is nervous about opening up?
A: That’s completely normal. This process is designed to meet both of you where you are. You’ll never be forced to share before you’re ready, and sessions will always move at a pace that feels emotionally safe for each of you.
Q: Is premarital counseling covered by insurance?
A: I’m an out-of-network provider, which means sessions are private and confidential. Many couples appreciate that nothing goes on their medical records. Some insurance plans do offer reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services, and I can provide a superbill if needed.
Method
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)
I use Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) because it’s one of the most research-supported methods for helping couples heal and reconnect. EFCT isn’t about communication hacks or conflict scripts—it’s about creating emotional safety at the root of your relationship.
Together, we’ll map your relationship patterns, identify the cycles that keep pulling you apart, and gently explore the deeper attachment needs underneath those patterns. You’ll learn how to express those needs without blame or shutdown—and respond to your partner in ways that build trust, connection, and security.
EFCT helps couples move from disconnection to closeness, from emotional reactivity to emotional responsiveness. Whether you’re newly engaged or have been together for years, this work lays the foundation for
Get the support you need to build the relationship you both deserve.
You don’t have to figure everything out alone—or wait for a breaking point to get support. Whether you’re navigating big decisions, subtle disconnects, or just want to feel more confident about the future you’re building together, premarital counseling can help.