Premarital Counseling on the Upper West Side
Many couples put a lot of time and effort into planning for their wedding, but they aren’t even thinking about preparing for their marriage. With the divorce rate being so high these days, it’s always good to plan ahead with premarital counseling programs.
Robin Bryant, Ph.D. is an accredited premarital counselor that can help you build a solid foundation for you and your partner’s future together. Marriage is a big commitment, and we’ll help you make sure your values are aligned, and your boundaries are placed before taking the plunge.
Prepare yourselves for married life, so it’s smooth sailing when it counts most. Contact us now at (212) 721-8910 to schedule a consultation.
What Is Premarital Therapy?
Premarital counseling is a form of professional therapy designed to help couples prepare for marriage by strengthening their relationship and addressing key topics before saying “I do.” It’s typically conducted by a licensed therapist and may include individual sessions, joint sessions, or both.
Rather than focusing solely on current challenges, premarital counseling is proactive. It helps partners build tools to communicate effectively, resolve conflict constructively, and align their values, expectations, and long-term goals.
Whether the couple is newly engaged or has been together for years, premarital counseling provides a structured space to have honest, in-depth conversations that many partners may not think to initiate on their own.
Why Is Premarital Counseling Important?
Premarital counseling sessions benefit couples by helping them build a stronger foundation before marriage, reducing the likelihood of future misunderstandings, resentment, or long-term conflict. Even the healthiest relationships benefit from clear communication and aligned expectations, and premarital counseling helps achieve both.
Here are a few key reasons why couples choose premarital counseling:
- Prevents avoidable conflict: By discussing common stress points early—like money, family, and future goals—couples can prevent them from becoming divisive issues later.
- Strengthens communication skills: Partners learn how to listen actively, speak openly, and navigate difficult conversations with compassion and clarity.
- Uncovers potential red flags: Counseling provides a safe space to explore disagreements or concerns that may need more attention before marriage.
- Increases long-term satisfaction: Research shows that couples who undergo premarital counseling report higher marital satisfaction and lower divorce rates.
- Promotes shared understanding: Therapy ensures that both partners are on the same page about what marriage means to them and how they envision their life together.
How Is Couples Premarital Counseling Different Than Couples Therapy?
While premarital counseling and couples therapy both support healthy relationships, they serve different purposes and are typically used at different stages in a couple’s journey. Premarital counseling is a proactive step taken before marriage to prepare for long-term partnership, while couples therapy is often sought when a couple is already experiencing difficulties they’re struggling to resolve on their own.
When Is the Best Time To Start Premarital Couples Therapy?
The best time to start premarital counseling is well before the wedding planning becomes overwhelming, ideally several months before the big day. Starting early allows couples to fully explore important topics without the added pressure of deadlines, guest lists, or venue logistics.
Many couples begin sessions shortly after getting engaged, but there’s no strict timeline. What matters most is that both partners feel ready to have open, honest conversations about their future together.
Free Preliminary Consultations on Premarital Counseling and Therapy
When you give us a call, we’ll set up a free initial consultation where you’ll get to answer a questionnaire to determine how you feel about each other and the relationship. From there, we’ll be able to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses, and set goals to overcome those problem areas.
Many people shy away when they hear words like “counseling” and “therapy,” but there’s no reason to. Premarital counseling is there to ensure that you and your partner have a healthy and robust bond that’ll easily transition into a stable and satisfying marriage. We offer a safe space for open and honest discussion with a touch of professional advice and guidance.
Leading Premarital Counseling Exercises: Communication Is Key
From your finances to your beliefs and values, Robin Bryant, Ph.D. will help you lay everything out on the table as these topics are important to discuss before making a big commitment, such as marriage. In premarital counseling, we will cover the following topics:
- Roles in Marriage
- Affection and Sex
- Children
- Family Relationships
- Finances
- Decision-Making
- Dealing with Anger and Sadness
- Quality Time Expectations
- Beliefs and Values
- … and more!
We’ll improve your ability to communicate with each other all while making sure you’re both aware of the other’s expectations and differences. We want to make sure you’ve clarified your desires and core values for your marriage to each other, so you’re really prepared for that long-term commitment.
Robin Bryant, Ph.D.: The Premarital Therapy Expert
Dr. Bryant will help you create positive marriage resolutions during each prewedding counseling session, keeping the conversation going in a productive direction. Fully licensed and highly qualified, we’ll teach you improved conflict resolution skills as well as how to listen and communicate effectively. Believe it or not, many couples don’t know how to do this properly!
With our guidance, you and your partner will learn to give each other constructive criticism without passive aggressiveness or personal jabs, and you’ll be able to practice active listening and make the other feel heard when they’re expressing themselves.
Otherwise, Robin Bryant, Ph.D. is there to coach you through making compromises and being realistic about when you should be making big decisions like having children or buying a house. Whatever you may need advice for, Dr. Bryant has you covered.
Do Both Partners Need To Attend Every Premarital Counseling Session Together?
In most cases, premarital counseling is designed for both partners to attend together since the goal is to strengthen communication, build understanding, and prepare for marriage as a team. Joint sessions provide a shared space where couples can openly discuss things with the support of a neutral professional. Attending together allows each partner to hear the other’s perspective in real time and develop tools for navigating differences as a unit.
However, there are situations where individual sessions may also be recommended, especially if one partner wants to explore personal concerns or clarify thoughts privately before bringing them into joint discussions. Robin Bryant, Ph.D. is proud to offer a flexible approach that includes both shared and individual sessions when needed.
The Best Premarital Counseling on the Upper West Side
Call Robin Bryant, Ph.D. now at (212) 721-8910 to book your first appointment!
Looking for premarital counseling on the Upper West Side? Contact Robin Bryant, Ph.D. at (212) 721-8910.