Premarital Counseling Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike Couples Therapy, which is designed for couples facing challenges or dealing with mental health issues, our Premarital Counseling focuses on education and preparation for a successful marriage future. It equips engaged or pre-engaged couples with essential tools and knowledge for building a strong, harmonious, lifelong relationship. Our program goes beyond teaching skills by identifying and addressing potential unknowns, helping to prevent future issues. This all takes place in a relaxed, conversational couple-to-couple setting that clients find engaging and enjoyable.

Though it s called Premarital Counseling, the skills and knowledge learned through the program is equally valuable for engaged, pre-engaged, and even newlywed couples with our Newlywed Coaching.

Both Premarital Counseling and Newlywed Coaching are educational programs that help couples prepare for successful lifelong marriage. They use the same process and materials, with only very slight differences in the content based on where the couple is in their relationship journey. Newlywed Coaching is of particular value to couples that did not participate in a premarital program.

Absolutely! While some couples might have specific concerns they want to address, the experience always exceeds their expectations. It uncovers aspects of the relationship that may not have been explored before, offering valuable insights and better preparing couples for the adventure of marriage. The transformative benefits of Premarital Counseling and Newlywed Coaching make them an excellent choice for any couple looking to proactively build a strong, lifelong partnership.

Our programs are not faith-based, and have no affiliation to any faith or denomination. We may address the topic of “spirituality” when relevant to help couples understand each other's beliefs and how they might plan to handle any differences, both in the short-term and long-term. This discussion is particularly valuable for couples who may have a misalignment in their spiritual views that could lead to future conflicts, helping to ensure they have the tools to navigate these differences effectively.

No one enters marriage expecting it to end in divorce. Yet, many divorces could have been prevented if couples had the right tools at the right time. our programs provide those essential tools, equipping couples with the skills to address challenges in a more productive and constructive way, reducing the risk of conflict damaging the relationship. Additionally, studies show that couples who go through a premarital program are more likely to seek help for their marriage sooner than those who don’t, leading to better outcomes and stronger, lasting partnerships.

Moreover, though somewhat uncommon, Premarital Counseling may reveal fundamental differences in values and goals that could be insurmountable, giving couples the opportunity to reassess their relationship before making a lifelong commitment.

We combine either the Prepare-Enrich or SYMBIS assessment, exercises (some of which are completed at home between sessions), and in-depth discussions to explore your unique relationship. This approach helps identify potential areas of concern and develop strategies to prevent them from harming your relationship. Our sessions provide a safe, comfortable environment that encourages open, honest conversations, guiding couples through difficult topics and leading them to new discoveries about each other and their relationship.

Our couple-to-couple approach means that both Estrella and Robert Cudmore are present for every session. This setup creates a more balanced and relaxed atmosphere, offering broader insights and perspectives that enrich the experience.

Learn more under Other Resources > How Our Program Works.

Our programs covers key topics that are vital for any couple preparing for marriage or recently married. We typically start by exploring how your families of origin shape your values, expectations, and assumptions, helping you understand each other on a deeper level.

The program also addresses the “big four” areas that often cause conflict: money, intimacy, spirituality, and parenthood. Couples are guided through open discussions to align their attitudes and behaviors on these crucial topics.

In addition, we emphasize effective communication and conflict resolution skills, which couples will learn and practice during sessions. Roles and responsibilities are also covered to ensure a harmonious and balanced household.

Finally, we help couples create a shared vision for their future, laying a solid foundation for a lifelong commitment and a fulfilling married life together.

Our “Complete” program includes eight weekly 1-hour sessions. The pace of the scheduling is flexible to accommodate each couple’s specific needs, but couples that stay on a consistent schedule get the most out of the program.

For those with limited time or budget, as well as Newlywed couples, we also offer an “Express” program with as little as four 1-hour sessions.

See the pricing page for more details.

Our program starts at under $500 for the Express package. For specific pricing details, please see our pricing page. Payments can be made easily online via card. The cost covers session time with both Estrella and Robert Cudmore in our unique couple-to-couple format, as well as all materials needed for the program.

Because Premarital Counseling and Newlywed Coaching are educational processes rather than mental health treatment, health insurance companies typically do not cover it. Therefore, we are not setup to accept insurance for the service we provide.

We recommend beginning Premarital Counseling as early as possible. The insights and skills gained can be applied right away to strengthen your relationship, even before the wedding day.

That said, it’s never too late to start. If your wedding is approaching quickly, or if you’re already married, completing the program as a newlywed couple is just as effective. It will still equip you and your partner with the essential knowledge and tools for a successful and fulfilling marriage.

For clients who can attend sessions at our office in Northwest Austin, we strongly recommend in-person meetings. Being in our office minimizes distractions that can arise at home, and allows for a more personal, engaging interaction.

However, if attending in-person isn’t feasible, we have extensive experience conducting effective sessions via Zoom, ensuring couples still receive all the benefits of our program.

The first step is to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation consultation with us, either in-person or via Zoom. This relaxed session gives you a chance to meet Estrella and Robert, learn more about our program, get all your questions answered, and see if our approach is the right fit for you. If you choose to move forward, this is followed by a bit of paperwork, processing of payment, and scheduling your first session..

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