You’re engaged—congratulations. Now comes the work of preparing not just for your wedding, but for your marriage. Premarital counseling in Washington DC helps couples build the communication skills, shared understanding, and conflict resolution tools they’ll need for a lifetime together. Whether you’re navigating differences in values, figuring out how to talk about money, or simply want to start your marriage on the right foot, pre-marital counseling can help you and your partner create a strong foundation for a successful relationship.
Why Invest in Premarital Counseling?
Many couples arrive at marriage having never talked through some of the most important topics they’ll face together. What are your expectations about finances? How will you handle conflict when it arises? What role will family play in your lives? These conversations can feel overwhelming to navigate on your own—especially when you’re also planning a wedding.
Pre-marital counseling provides a safe space to explore these questions with the guidance of an experienced therapist. You’ll learn to identify potential areas of conflict before they become problems, develop practical tools for communication, and clarify your shared values and expectations for the future.
Like other couples who’ve been through this process, you’ll gain a sense of clarity about your relationship and confidence in your readiness for marriage. This isn’t about fixing something that’s broken. It’s about preparing for the challenges every marriage faces—and building the skills to navigate them together. Investing in premarital therapy is one of the most meaningful steps you can take to foster a successful, lasting relationship.
What We Cover in Premarital Counseling
Every couple is different, so we tailor our sessions to address your unique needs and concerns. Our therapists help clients explore a wide range of topics, including:
Communication Learning how to express your needs, listen to your partner, and communicate effectively—even when emotions run high. Many couples discover patterns in how they talk (or avoid talking) that can be strengthened before they become entrenched in their relationship.
Conflict Resolution Every couple disagrees. The question is whether you can work through differences constructively or get stuck in the same arguments. We help you develop proven strategies for resolving conflict without damaging your connection.
Finances and Career Money is one of the most common sources of tension in marriage. We help couples get on the same page about financial values, spending habits, debt, and long-term goals—including how job changes and career decisions will affect your lives together.
Family Dynamics How involved will your families be in your marriage? What traditions will you maintain, and which will you create together? We help couples explore family-of-origin patterns and set healthy boundaries.
Sex and Intimacy Physical and emotional intimacy are central to a healthy marriage. We create space to discuss expectations around sex, address concerns about intimacy, and explore how you’ll maintain connection over time. When one partner has different expectations than the other, it’s better to address it now than after the wedding.
Values and Faith Whether you share a religious background or come from different faith traditions, clarifying your values helps ensure you’re building toward the same future together.
Life Planning Children, careers, where you’ll live—these decisions shape your life together. Pre-marital counseling helps you explore your expectations and make sure you’re aligned on the big questions about your future.
Our Approach
At Therapy Group of DC, we use evidence-based approaches to help couples prepare for marriage. Our therapists draw on methods like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help partners understand their emotional connection and build secure bonds that last.
We don’t follow a rigid program or checklist. Instead, we focus on what matters most to you as a couple—whether that’s learning to communicate about difficult topics, addressing specific concerns, or simply strengthening your relationship skills before you say “I do.”
Our Washington DC therapists work with clients to foster open communication and address concerns before they become larger problems. Whether one partner has specific worries or you’re both simply preparing for what’s ahead, we tailor therapy to your unique needs.
Our premarital counseling is designed for all couples—whether you’ve been together for years or are newly engaged, whether this is your first marriage or a second chance at commitment. We work with couples of all backgrounds, faiths, and orientations throughout the Washington DC community.
Pre-marital counseling is a form of couples therapy specifically designed to help engaged partners prepare for marriage. Sometimes called marriage counseling for engaged couples, it typically focuses on communication, conflict resolution, and aligning expectations about key areas like finances, family, and intimacy.
What to Expect
Timeline We recommend starting premarital counseling at least 3-6 months before your wedding day. This gives you time to work through important topics without the stress of last-minute planning.
Session Structure Premarital therapy is a short-term investment in your relationship. Most clients complete the process in 4-8 sessions, though we’ll tailor therapy to your unique needs. Sessions are typically 45-50 minutes and can be scheduled weekly or biweekly depending on your timeline.
Between Sessions Premarital counseling isn’t just about what happens in the therapy room. You’ll leave with tools and resources to practice together—building relationship skills that will serve your marriage for years to come.
Outcomes By the end of counseling, couples typically report feeling more confident in their readiness for marriage, better equipped to handle conflict, and more aligned on their shared values and expectations for the future. Like many other couples who’ve been through this process, you’ll have the resources and skills to build a successful marriage.
Our Premarital Counseling Therapists
Our Washington DC community includes therapists with backgrounds in clinical psychology, couples therapy, and relationship counseling. They help clients foster connection and build the tools for a successful marriage.
Dr. Rose Medcalf, Psy.D.
Dr. Medcalf is a psychological associate who uses client-centered, feminist, and psychodynamic approaches to help couples prepare for marriage. She specializes in communication, conflict resolution, and helping partners navigate cultural concerns and family dynamics. Dr. Medcalf creates an engaging, supportive space where couples can explore their values, expectations, and build the skills for a strong partnership. View Dr. Medcalf’s full profile →
Dr. Rob Drinkwater, Ph.D.
Dr. Drinkwater is a licensed psychologist who uses existential, family systems, and psychodynamic approaches to help engaged couples prepare for their future together. He specializes in helping partners navigate finances, family dynamics, and relationship enhancement—key areas that shape a successful marriage. Dr. Drinkwater’s collaborative style helps couples develop concrete goals and meaningful, lasting change. View Dr. Drinkwater’s full profile →
Dr. Keith Clemson, Ph.D., LPC
Dr. Clemson is an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) trained couples therapist who helps engaged couples build secure emotional bonds before marriage. He works with partners to understand their communication patterns and develop skills for navigating conflict constructively. Dr. Clemson specializes in helping couples create strong foundations for lasting connection and successful relationships. View Dr. Clemson’s full profile →
Dominique Harrington, MA.Ed., LPC, NCC
Dom is a Licensed Professional Counselor who uses relational and narrative therapy approaches to help couples prepare for marriage. She creates a warm, authentic space where partners can explore their values, expectations, and concerns. Dominique specializes in helping clients navigate cultural and family dynamics as they build their life together. View Dominique’s full profile →
Dr. Kevin Isserman, Psy.D
Dr. Isserman is a licensed psychologist who uses psychodynamic and person-centered approaches to help engaged couples prepare for their future. His open, warm, and collaborative style helps partners develop greater self-understanding and communication skills—essential tools for a healthy marriage and lasting relationship. Dr. Isserman works with clients at all stages of their relationship. View Dr. Isserman’s full profile →
Ready to Prepare for Your Marriage?
If you’ve been searching for premarital counseling DC, you’ve already taken the first step. Contact us today to schedule your first premarital counseling session in Washington DC.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we start premarital counseling? We recommend beginning at least 3-6 months before your wedding. This gives you time to work through important topics without feeling rushed, and allows you to practice new relationship skills before your wedding day.
Is premarital counseling only for couples with problems? Not at all. Most couples who seek pre-marital counseling have healthy relationships—they simply want to strengthen their foundation and prepare for the challenges every marriage faces. Think of it as a short-term investment in your future together. Many other couples find this process strengthens their connection even when nothing is “wrong.”
How is pre-marital counseling different from marriage counseling? Pre-marital counseling focuses on preparing for marriage, while marriage counseling typically addresses challenges in an existing relationship. That said, the tools you build—communication, conflict resolution, understanding—serve you in both contexts. Many couples find that starting with premarital therapy helps them avoid the issues that bring other couples to counseling later.
What if we have different religious backgrounds? Many couples navigate differences in faith, values, or family traditions. Our therapists help you explore these differences openly and find ways to honor both partners’ backgrounds while creating shared meaning together.
What if one partner is more interested in counseling than the other? It’s common for one partner to be more enthusiastic about premarital counseling than the other. Our therapists create a comfortable space for both partners to engage at their own pace. Most clients find that even initial skepticism fades once they experience the value of the process.
Do you work with LGBTQ+ couples? Absolutely. We work with all couples regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Our Washington DC therapists are committed to creating an affirming space for every relationship.
What if we’re already living together? Many engaged couples have been living together for years before marriage. Premarital therapy is still valuable—marriage often surfaces new dynamics around commitment, family expectations, and long-term planning that benefit from exploration with a therapist.
Couples who participate in premarital counseling experience greater marital satisfaction and lower divorce rates compared to those who do not.
Therapy Group of DC30% More Likely
Research indicates couples who engage in pre-marital counseling are 30% more likely to experience a successful and fulfilling marriage.
