PAXTON PSYCHOTHERAPY
Premarital Counseling
Congratulations! If you are reading this, you are planning to spend a lifetime with your partner and looking to start off on the best possible foot.
Give your relationship an edge
​Preparing for marriage is like preparing for a marathon. You know the path you want to take and what you want to accomplish, but you need someone who can guide you along the way and help keep you on track. Couples who attend premarital counseling are 30% more likely to have a successful marriage than couples who do not. Research also shows that couples who attend premarital counseling are better off than 80% of the couples who don't.
Get a head start on a healthy marriage
We know that this isn't just about getting married—it's about having a long, happy marriage together. That's why our goal is to help couples set themselves up for success in every aspect of their lives: emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually.
Frequently Asked Questions
about Premarital Counseling
What do we learn in premarital counseling? ​
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“I do.” Two simple enough words. And when you say them on your wedding day, you really mean them. But “I do” can quickly turn into, “I thought I could” when you don’t know exactly who or what you are committing to.
Let’s face it, relationships are tricky and it’s important that you and your partner are 100% open and honest with one another before tying the knot. And that’s exactly why premarital counseling is so beneficial.
Premarital counseling helps couples identify and address potential areas of conflict before those issues have a chance to turn into serious problems. Couples also learn effective communication skills and conflict resolution strategies.
Here are some specific benefits of premarital counseling:
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Learn More About Each Other. We always think we know our partner until they do or say something that surprises (and irks) us. Premarital counseling is an opportunity to get to know each other on a deeper, more intimate level.
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Confront Challenges Head-On. Couples don’t always discuss potential areas of friction at the beginning. And then real life comes at them and arguments happen. For instance, what do you do if you find out each one of you has a different opinion about how finances should be handled? If one of you wants to home school but the other wants your kid to go to public schools? Premarital counseling offers couples a space to identify potential challenges head-on.
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Make Plans for the Future. The brightest futures are the ones with the best-laid plans. Couples counseling can help you create a clear vision of what you want your future to be. A therapist can help you both discuss your individual goals and dreams and how you can combine these to create a future where both of you reach your potential as individuals, as a couple, and as a family unit.
What is your approach to premarital counseling?
I am a certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator, and I also have advanced training in other evidence-based couples therapy modalities like the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Prepare/Enrich is the number one marriage preparation assessment tool and premarital counseling program, and I combine this with my couples therapy tools to make premarital counseling a useful and enriching experience. Backed by years of research, Prepare/Enrich is specially designed for engaged couples and those thinking about marriage. It begins with a online assessment that ​helps to identify the areas of strength and growth in your relationship. The results of this assessment will help me to customize your premarital counseling experience and guide the content of our sessions.
How long does premarital counseling take?
Premarital counseling generally takes place over 6 to 9 sessions lasting 50 minutes each. Couples also have the option of choosing extended sessions that are 80 minutes each. The first session is a couples' assessment where we explore your goals for premarital counseling. Each following session is individually tailored to the topics most pertinent to your relationship. Most couples engage in premarital counseling within 6 to 12 months or their wedding date, but it can also be done closer to your big day or shortly after you are married.
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Do you work with LGBTQ+ couples?
Absolutely. I am affirming and respectful of my clients' identities, culture, and spiritual beliefs.
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Does insurance cover premarital counseling?
Usually not. Insurance only covers services that are medically necessary, and unfortunately this does not include things like premarital counseling. Please click here to see my current rate.
Can we do premarital counseling online?
Yes! Online premarital therapy offers the same benefits as face-to-face therapy, with the added convenience and privacy of getting the help and support you need at home. Usually, sessions are held via video chat and with you and your partner in the same location. However, online couples therapy can be particularly beneficial for those couples who are dealing with the stress of living apart, and I can accommodate partners attending online therapy from different locations, so long as you are both within the state of North Carolina.
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Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more couples have opted to attend therapy online. Many have decided to continue even as the world has opened back. There are several reasons for this:
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It's easier for those couples with busy schedules
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It's convenient for those couples living in rural areas who may have to drive long distances to find a trained couples counselor
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It cuts out the commute time so you aren't wasting time in traffic
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Couples may not want to be seen by anyone in their local community walking into a therapist’s office
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It offers added convenience when one or both partners has a disability that makes attending in-person therapy more challenging
Online therapy follows a similar model to traditional therapy and in most cases, therapists do nearly everything online that they do in person. You should make sure that you have a private, quiet space from which to attend therapy where you won't be interrupted. If you prefer to meet in person, I also offer sessions in my North Raleigh office.