PREMARITAL & RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING
Premarital Counseling in California
Build the marriage, not just the wedding.
Intentional, LGBTQIA+ affirming, space to strengthen communication, explore expectations, and prepare for the life you’re building together.
BEFORE MARRIAGE
You Don’t Need to Have Problems to Go to Premarital Counseling
Premarital counseling isn’t a sign that something is wrong with your relationship.
In fact, many couples begin counseling because things are going well- and they want to be intentional about protecting what they’ve built.
Marriage brings together two people with different histories, families, expectations, communication styles and ideas about what partnership looks like. Premarital counseling gives you dedicated space to talk about those differences before everyday life starts asking you to navigate them in real time.
It can also help bring conversations to the surface that are easy to postpone when you’re busy planning a wedding and building a future.
WHY PREMARITAL THERAPY
More Than Checking the “Big Conversations” Off a List
Knowing your partner’s opinion about finances, children or family is useful.
Understanding how the two of you navigate differences is even more important.
Premarital therapy gives you an opportunity to notice the relationship patterns that already exist between you.
What happens when one person wants to talk and the other needs space? How do you ask for reassurance? What happens when you disagree? How does each of you respond when you feel criticized, overwhelmed or misunderstood?
Becoming more aware of those patterns now can give you a stronger foundation for navigating them throughout your marriage.
IS IT RIGHT FOR US?
When Should Couples Start Premarital Counseling?
There isn’t one perfect timeline.
Some couples begin premarital counseling shortly after getting engaged. Others start several months before the wedding, while some seek support when marriage becomes a serious part of the conversation.
You also don’t need to be engaged yet.
Premarital counseling may be worth considering if:
You’re engaged and preparing for marriage
You’re seriously discussing marriage
You want to strengthen an already healthy relationship
There are important topics you’ve struggled to discuss
You come from very different families or backgrounds
You want to better understand how you handle conflict
You’re navigating stress during your engagement
You simply want to enter marriage more intentionally
The goal isn’t to determine whether your relationship is “good enough” to get married.
It’s to create room for the conversations that can help you know each other- and the relationship you’re creating- more deeply.
THERAPY ACROSS CALIFORNIA
Online & In-Person Therapy Across California
Our therapists provide online therapy throughout California, making it possible to access relational, individualized support from wherever you call home.
In-person, nature-based and experiential therapy services are also available in select Northern and Central California communities.
Therapy in Salinas
Explore therapy for adults, couples, children, teens and families in Salinas, California, including in-person services.
Connections Boarding Stables 22400 Indian Springs Rd
Salinas, CA 93908
Therapy in Auburn
Explore therapy services for individuals, couples and families in Auburn and the surrounding Northern California communities.
Therapy in Truckee
Find therapy in Truckee for relationships, anxiety, trauma, stress, life transitions and other challenges, with virtual and select experiential options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Premarital Counseling
-
Yes. Premarital counseling doesn’t have to be problem-focused. Many couples use it to strengthen communication, better understand each other's expectations and intentionally discuss important parts of married life before the wedding.
-
Topics vary by couple but may include communication, conflict, finances, family relationships, boundaries, sex and intimacy, careers, household responsibilities, children, parenting, values and expectations for marriage. Your sessions can focus more deeply on the areas that are most relevant to your relationship.
-
There’s no required timeline, but beginning with enough time to have thoughtful conversations without feeling rushed can be helpful. You can also begin premarital counseling before you're engaged if marriage is something you’re seriously considering together.
-
Discovering differences doesn't automatically mean something is wrong. Part of premarital counseling is creating a supportive place to talk about differences, understand what they mean for each partner and practice navigating them together rather than avoiding difficult conversations.
-
Yes. Alison Hunter Therapy offers online premarital counseling for couples located throughout California. Virtual sessions can be particularly convenient while balancing careers, wedding planning and other responsibilities.
RELATED RELATIONSHIP SERVICES
More Support for Your Relationship
Couples Therapy →
Strengthen communication, connection & understanding
Marriage Counseling →
Support for the seasons and challenges of married life
Relationship Anxiety Therapy →
Understand insecurity, overthinking & recurring relationship fears
PREMARITAL COUNSELING IN CALIFORNIA
Prepare for More Than the Wedding.
Make space for the marriage you're building.
Premarital counseling gives you an opportunity to slow down, have meaningful conversations and enter your next chapter with a deeper understanding of each other.