Pre-Marital Counseling: Building a Strong Foundation Before You Say "I Do"
Learn how pre-marital counseling helps couples improve communication, build trust, and create a solid foundation before marriage.
Pre-Marital Counseling: Strengthen Your Relationship Before Marriage
Marriage is one of life’s biggest commitments—and one of the most meaningful. If you're looking for pre-marital counseling in Hermosa Beach, this specialized couples therapy offers a safe space to understand each other deeply, align values, and develop skills to navigate challenges before they arise.
While wedding planning often focuses on flowers and guest lists, many couples overlook preparing emotionally and relationally for the lifelong journey ahead. Pre-marital counseling through trusted Hermosa Beach therapists helps you explore, reflect, and strengthen the emotional foundation of your partnership.
A Brief History of Pre-Marital Counseling
Pre-marital counseling has long been offered in both religious and clinical settings. Historically, churches and temples—especially in Christian, Jewish, and Catholic communities—encouraged couples to engage in structured conversations before marriage to clarify roles, expectations, and values.
As relationship dynamics grew more nuanced, modern psychology stepped in. Today’s pre-marital counseling draws from research-based approaches like:
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) – based on adult attachment theory and developed by Dr. Sue Johnson. Learn more at the International Centre for Excellence in EFT.
The Gottman Method – developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman after decades of research on what makes relationships succeed. Learn more at the Gottman Institute.
Imago Relationship Therapy – created by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt, focusing on childhood wounds and healing through conscious relationships. More at Imago Relationships.
These models provide couples with practical skills in communication, emotional safety, conflict resolution, and future planning.
Whether you're spiritual, secular, or somewhere in between, pre-marital therapy is now seen as a proactive and empowering step toward building a conscious, connected, and resilient partnership.
If you're in Hermosa Beach or the greater South Bay area, pre-marital counseling as part of our couples therapy specialty is available in-person or virtually—designed to meet you where you are.
What Is Pre-Marital Counseling?
Pre-marital counseling is a proactive and structured form of therapy designed to help couples explore important topics like:
Communication patterns
Conflict resolution
Financial planning
Intimacy and expectations
Family dynamics and future goals
Through a series of sessions, you’ll gain insight into how you and your partner interact—and how you can grow stronger as a team.
Why Pre-Marital Counseling Matters
Pre-marital counseling helps couples open up conversations about topics that can sometimes be hard to address, such as finances, family planning, emotional intimacy, conflict resolution, and expectations around roles and responsibilities. It’s not about fixing problems — it’s about learning how to communicate, connect, and support each other effectively.
This kind of therapy is especially valuable for couples who:
Want to improve communication skills
Are navigating different cultural, religious, or family backgrounds
Feel anxious about entering a lifelong commitment
Have experienced previous relationship challenges or trauma
Research from the Gottman Institute shows that early interventions like premarital therapy can improve long-term relationship satisfaction and reduce the likelihood of divorce.
A Common Myth: “We Only Need Therapy If There’s a Problem”
One of the biggest misconceptions about couples therapy is that it’s only for when things go wrong. But many couples use pre-marital therapy as a way to grow closer, not because something is “broken.”
Think of it like training for a marathon: you prepare ahead of time, not the day before the race.
“Pre-marital counseling isn’t about fixing something—it’s about investing in the emotional and psychological health of your relationship. The more honest and prepared you are before marriage, the more resilient your connection will be when challenges arise.”
What to Expect in Pre-Marital Counseling
In sessions, couples are invited to reflect on their individual histories, values, and relationship patterns. We explore how each partner’s attachment style, upbringing, and past experiences influence their connection. Pre-marital counseling offers tools to help:
Deepen emotional intimacy
Strengthen problem-solving and communication skills
Identify potential areas of conflict and address them early
Foster mutual respect and shared goals
Often, couples experience relief and clarity in these conversations, as they create a shared vision for their future.
My Approach Pre-Marital Counseling
As a therapist at Lisa Chen & Associates I approach pre-marital counseling with curiosity, compassion, and a deep respect for the uniqueness of your relationship.
Drawing from attachment theory, depth psychology, and emotion-focused therapy, I help couples uncover patterns that shape how they connect, communicate, and navigate conflict. Our work is collaborative and tailored—we don’t just check boxes. We explore the deeper emotional landscapes that influence your partnership.
I believe that pre-marital therapy isn’t about “fixing” anything—it’s about laying a conscious foundation for a relationship that can grow and evolve over time.
If you're located in Hermosa Beach or the greater Los Angeles area, I offer in-person and virtual sessions to help you feel grounded and clear about the life you're building together.
Learn more about my approach at lauramalandrino.com.
Book a free consultation or explore more about our services at Lisa Chen & Associates.
