Premarital Counseling
Do you want to be proactive about identifying and addressing areas of conflict in your relationship?
Would you like to explore differences in values and/or beliefs with your partner?
Do you feel that it’s hard to navigate conversations about differences?
Do you want to feel more “on the same page” with your partner about your future?
Do you just want to check in to make sure your relationship is on the right track?
Are you and your partner getting married or preparing to make a lifelong commitment to one another?
Premarital Counseling is a Great Investment
At CTC, we’re so glad that it’s becoming more and more common for couples to invest in some type of commitment or pre-marital counseling. What used to happen mostly through religious institutions is now widely sought out by couples preparing for a long-term commitment, whether they have a religious affiliation or not. We think it’s one of the very best investments you can make in the longterm health of your relationship.
We’re big believers in the power of committed relationships to provide a secure base and a safe haven from which you can go out and be the best version of yourself. You probably see that potential in your own relationship, or you wouldn’t be planning to spend your life with this person. We also know that relationships can be hard work, and that joining your life with someone comes with a set of challenges. If you’re feeling both the excitement and opportunity of having someone on your team for life, as well as the challenges of lifelong commitment, you would probably benefit from premarital counseling.
A Personalized Approach
At CTC, we specialize in working with couples at all stages of their relationships, including premarital. We believe that a strong foundation is important in building a close, fulfilled relationship.
Our team has experience working with premarital couples using both Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Prepare/Enrich. Prepare/Enrich is a premarital counseling assessment that helps couples understand potential differences and similarities in many aspects of their relationship. We tailor our approach to each couple’s needs drawing from both these models.
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) has more evidence for its effectiveness than any other type of couples therapy. We have found that the principles of EFT are effective and beneficial not just for couples in distress, but also for couples planning to get married or make a long-term commitment. Using EFT, we help couples identify where they get caught in repetitive patterns or cycles of conflict, and give them tools to break out of these patterns. We also support couples in both communicating, and effectively responding to, deeper needs and desires. At its core, EFT helps couples create a secure connection in which each person can feel confident that their partner has their back and understands their needs.
Prepare/Enrich is an assessment-based premarital counseling program that is designed to highlight differences and similarities in your relationship so they can be addressed. Couples start off by taking an assessment where they answer questions about all aspects of their relationship, including:
✔ Family ✔ Religion / Spirituality ✔ Finances ✔ Household chores ✔ Stress ✔ Personality ✔ Sex ✔ Kids
Prepare / Enrich is a structured, brief intervention that is good for covering any differences or similarities related to core values and beliefs. If you are looking for premarital counseling as a “check-in” or to make sure you and your partner have a good understanding of one another and their values, Prepare / Enrich is a great option.
We find that combining the structure of Prepare / Enrich with the focus of EFT on deeper sharing provides an ideal combination for premarital and early-commitment couples.
Interested?
Fill out this form and someone from our intake team will reach out to offer a complimentary consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You don’t need to have conflict or be in crisis to be in therapy! As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Therapy is a great way to be proactive about a healthy relationship. We can provide a space where you and your partner can create a deeper understanding of each other and how you function on a day to day basis. Premarital counseling can provide support in whatever way your relationship needs it! Your couples therapist will help guide conversations to address any concerns you might have to support long term relationship satisfaction
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Yes! Struggles with communication are one of the primary reasons that couples seek counseling. Our therapists provide support by acting as an unbiased perspective and helping you and your partner understand underlying feelings that potentially are not being communicated to one another. We find that this often helps couples empathize with one another by understanding each other’s emotional experience and being able to express it to one another. This tends to lead to a deeper connection and less miscommunication leading to conflict.
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Absolutely! More and more couples these days are being proactive in seeking support to make their relationship the best it can be, regardless of length of time together. You seek proactive support in so many areas of your life, why wouldn’t you proactively get support for y our relationship? Investing in your relationship now will pay dividends for years to come, and can save you confusion and heartache in the future. Our therapists can tailor your therapy sessions to fit your goals and needs at whatever stage you might be in your relationship. You may be wanting to work through some differences in perspectives but aren’t engaged or married - we provide services that will help maintain relationship satisfaction no matter where you are in your relationship.
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Absolutely. We celebrate queerness at CTC, and love helping couples of all orientations, including gay, lesbian, mixed-orientation, bisexual, queer and more. There are unique challenges and joys in LGBTQ+ relationships, and we’re honored to help create secure foundations for them.
See if our services are right for you.
A member of our team will contact you for a no-pressure complimentary consultation.
A Proven Track Record
Our therapists are relationship specialists. Unlike some practices in which clinicians may have an eclectic range of specialties, all therapists at CTC have advanced training in evidence-based couples therapy, including with premarital couples. As a team, we are committed to ongoing professional development, and we bring this knowledge and skill back to our clients. For over ten years, we have been supporting clients in developing their relational skills and creating the relationships they imagine and desire, from couples 30 years into their relationship to those just starting their relationship journey.
We’re Here to Support You
If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, you don’t have to wait: click here to schedule an in-person or virtual premarital counseling session. If you have more questions or want help finding the therapist that’s the right fit, you can schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation with our intake team.
You can also call us at 720-204-8589 or reach out to us and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have about our services!
