Premarital Therapy in Denver, Colorado
Investment in a foundation that will last
You’re in the right place if you find yourself thinking…
• "I love them and can see a future together. I just want to make sure we're not avoiding the conversations that matter most."
• "I want us to step into our future with confidence, knowing we have the foundation to weather what comes our way."
• "I'm already noticing some patterns between us. I want us to learn how to navigate challenges together before they define us."
• "Everyone says premarital therapy makes a difference, but is it really for us? We're not engaged yet, does that matter?"
• "We just moved in together and things feel different. I want to make sure we're setting ourselves up for success, not just hoping it works out."
Commit to Your Future With Confidence
It's no secret that relationships are difficult, though many people don't talk about it, which makes it feel isolating. This can make it difficult to talk about the hard things, even with your partner.
You may find yourself at brunch with friends who just got engaged, thinking, "Are we ready for that step? How do we know?" You might catch yourself thinking, "If I could just know we're on the same page about the big stuff: money, kids, how we handle conflict, then I could stop worrying and just enjoy building our life together."
Perhaps you've watched friends or family members struggle in their marriages, and you don't want that to be your story. You've seen what happens when couples don't address issues early, when they assume love will be enough. Maybe you even lived that in your home growing up.
You want something different, you want to be intentional about building something that lasts. That's not only possible, it's what I'm here to help you create.
Couples Counseling Isn't Just for Married Couples
I've had so many consultation calls with couples who ask, "Is it okay to start couples therapy before marriage? Does it mean something's wrong?" I always (and I don't use that word often) reassure them that they are in the right place. In fact, they're offering something incredibly valuable to their relationship by proactively seeking support before challenges become a crisis.
Seeking out premarital counseling or pre-engagement therapy in the early stages isn't a red flag; it's a major green flag. It shows intentionality, commitment to growth, and a willingness to invest in your partnership. The current divorce rate is between 39-42%, which is a steady decline in recent years. I like to think that this is because couples are being more intentional when taking that next step, and relationship therapy contributes to this intentionality.
Whether you've been dating six months or six years and see real potential, just moved in together, or are actively planning a wedding, pre-engagement counseling meets you where you are. The couples I work with in Denver and throughout Colorado come at all stages.
Get started today!
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and The Gottman Method for Pre-Engagement Couples
I am trained in both Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and The Gottman Method. I help couples build secure foundations by becoming skilled at managing their conflict cycles and solving problems together. We'll explore the essential topics couples need to discuss before a long-term commitment, to name a few: sex, quality time, family planning, finances, household responsibilities, and career goals. We'll identify which conversations matter most to you and create a values-based approach to your commitment. Then we'll focus on how you communicate and navigate conflict, which is the key that makes conversations about difficult topics easier and helps you feel secure in your relationship.
What Sets Us Apart
Some premarital therapy approaches focus solely on discussing important topics. While these conversations matter, they're only part of the equation. What matters more is how you have these conversations and what happens when you disagree.
If you find yourself struggling to communicate about challenging topics, you're not alone. These dynamics often arise when relationship and personal vulnerabilities are touched.
Through EFT and Gottman Method relationship counseling, we focus on:
• Understanding your attachment patterns - How your past relationships and family experiences shape how you show up in conflict and connection
• Navigating conflict productively - Learning to fight fair, repair when things get heated, and interrupt your negative cycle, especially when discussing values-based topics
• Strengthening your friendship - Maintaining curiosity, fondness, and admiration even when life gets busy through intentional rituals of connection
• Creating shared meaning - Aligning on values and dreams for your life together, while honoring differences that make you who you are
Therapy with me is not
Taking sides or determining who's right
Band-aid solutions that don't create real change
Discussing topics without exploring what they mean to you
Giving advice or telling you how to fix things
My approach is grounded in curiosity and experiential change
Therapy with me is
Holding both of your experiences with equal care
Experiential exchanges in session that develop new connection patterns
Identifying the roots of your values
Discovering your unique relationship needs
Let's Build Something That Lasts
Working with early-stage and pre-engagement couples is some of my most fulfilling work. When two people come to therapy to be proactive about their relationship, I witness the creation of a foundation built to last. Couples who felt uncertain about their readiness often discover a level of security they didn't know was possible. Partners who were already happy build even stronger bonds for the challenges ahead.
I invite you to schedule a free 20-minute consultation. During this call, we can discuss your goals for premarital counseling, answer any questions, and explore whether couples therapy before marriage is the right fit for you.
FAQs
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This is the perfect time for therapy. Premarital counseling strengthens what's already working and prepares you for what's ahead. Think of it like marathon training, you wouldn't show up on race day without practice.
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I hear this often, and it's completely understandable. Many people associate therapy with crisis or problems. I offer free 20-minute consultation calls where I can speak with you both about what premarital work actually looks like, and how I can help. If the idea of couples therapy or even therapy is new, it can feel intimidating. I'm here to help ease the uncertainty and answer any questions you have.
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If that's the case, that's wonderful and it's a strength you're bringing in. Pre-engagement counseling also goes beyond having conversations about topics. It's about understanding the emotional patterns underneath those conversations, learning how to repair when discussions go sideways, and building skills for the challenges you haven't faced yet.
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This varies based on your needs and goals. If you're an early-stage couple there may be no specific timeline for you. Other couples may come for 12 sessions of relationship counseling to cover the essentials before getting married. Others prefer ongoing support through engagement, wedding planning, and the first year of marriage. If it feels right, we can discuss a plan that works for you and your partner.