Premarital Counseling
You are preparing for a successful wedding, but are you also preparing for a successful marriage? We have provided premarital counseling in Minnesota to over 700 engaged couples using the PREPARE/ENRICH inventory, and every one of them started the same way you can: with a free 20-minute intro session and a strengths-based assessment that shows exactly where your relationship is already strong and where a little practice will pay off. Premarital education and counseling give you the communication and conflict resolution skills you will actually use once the wedding is over.
Trusted Premarital Counseling Experience with Engaged Couples
We have provided premarital counseling in Minnesota to over 700 engaged couples using the PREPARE/ENRICH inventory. PREPARE/ENRICH consists of a customized, strengths-oriented assessment and complementary skill-building exercises. It measures a couple's strengths and growth areas in 12 categories to gain insights into relationship dynamics, stress, personality, and family systems. We also include outside resources such as The 5 Love Languages and the Fair Fighting Rules.
A Supportive, Neutral Guide for Your Premarital Journey
As your facilitator and coach, we will be a neutral, knowledgeable premarital educator, someone who can lead an open and honest dialogue with you and your partner to provide you with skills and tools for effective communication and conflict resolution. Couples counseling before marriage works best when both partners take part, and we structure every session around the two of you rather than a one-size-fits-all curriculum. If you are dating seriously but not yet engaged, the same strengths-based approach is available through our counseling for couples who are building toward a lasting partnership.
Topics Covered in Premarital Counseling
Topics covered in premarital counseling include, but are not limited to, personal stress, communication, conflict resolution, partner style and habits, financial management, leisure activities, sexual expectations, family and friends, relationship roles, spiritual beliefs, marriage expectations, and parenting expectations.
Start Premarital Counseling in Minnesota with a Free Intro Session
If you're looking for premarital counseling in Minnesota to prepare for your marriage, contact us for a free intro session to see if we're a good fit!
Premarital Counseling Questions, Answered
How long does premarital counseling take?
It depends on the package you choose. The Full package covers the whole PREPARE/ENRICH assessment across roughly six sessions; the Core package is four sessions. We generally recommend scheduling sessions two to three weeks apart, which gives you time to work through the Couples Workbook between meetings. The assessment itself takes most couples about 20 to 40 minutes to complete online before your first feedback session.
Is premarital counseling worth it?
Premarital counseling is proactive rather than reactive. The goal is to set you up for success and build on the strengths of your relationship, not only to fix something that is wrong. We work from a strengths-based perspective, using PREPARE/ENRICH to measure your relationship across 12 categories so you head into marriage with practical communication and conflict resolution skills. We have used this approach with over 700 engaged couples in Minnesota.
Do you offer non-religious premarital counseling?
Yes. Many premarital programs are offered through a church or a religious setting. PREPARE/ENRICH was originally a Christian-based assessment, but now offers a non-denominational version that does not focus on religion. We are not religiously affiliated, and while there is a section on spirituality, it is not a focus of our sessions. If you are looking for a religious premarital counseling program, we are happy to refer you to an appropriate resource.
Does my partner have to attend premarital counseling?
For premarital counseling to be truly effective, both partners should be engaged in the process. You each take the PREPARE/ENRICH assessment separately, and then we discuss the combined results together in your feedback sessions. If your partner is not on board yet, it may not be the right time, but keep in mind that PREPARE/ENRICH can also be used after marriage, and we also offer individual counseling for one partner who wants to work on relationship skills.
How much does premarital counseling cost?
Cost depends on which package fits you best. The Full package covers the complete assessment across roughly six sessions, and the Core package is a shorter four-session option. You can see current options and rates on our Packages/Rates page. If you choose the Full package and want to keep going beyond the included sessions, an additional 50-minute session is $175. Every couple starts with a free 20-minute intro session so you know what to expect before committing.
Which premarital counseling package should we choose?
We recommend the Full package for dating and premarital couples because it lets you go through the full assessment and cover the broadest range of topics. The Core package is a shorter version that includes four sessions covering Relationship Dynamics, Personal Stress, and the Personality Assessment, plus your choice of topics such as Communication, Conflict Resolution, Financial Management, and Marriage Expectations. Typically we cover between 3 and 7 topics. If you are not sure, we will help you decide during your free intro session.
Have a different question? See more answers to common premarital counseling questions on our FAQ page.