Premarital Counseling in Austin

At Neema Counseling, we meet with engaged couples at our Austin office on Rio Grande Street in West Campus, three blocks from the University of Texas. In person in Austin, you can have your sessions in English or in Spanish. We also see couples online anywhere in Texas, which helps when one of you works long hours or you live in different parts of town.

Neema is the Swahili word for grace. An engagement is a good time to practice it: to get curious about how the other person thinks, and to talk through the hard topics while you are still planning a celebration.

What happens in premarital counseling?

Premarital counseling gives the two of you a set time each week to talk through the questions that shape a marriage, with a counselor who can help you listen to each other and work through disagreement.

Most couples begin with a short online questionnaire, either SYMBIS or Prepare/Enrich, and our counselors are certified in both. You each fill it out on your own. In session, your counselor goes over the results with you: the places you already agree, and the places worth a longer conversation.

From there, your sessions follow what matters most to the two of you.

Topics Austin couples often bring

  • Money and careers. Student loans, two demanding jobs, a move for one person's work, or deciding who handles the budget.
  • Where you will live and how. Austin's cost of living shapes a lot of early decisions, from renting or buying to how far you commute.
  • Your families of origin. What you each saw growing up about conflict, affection, and roles, and how involved your parents will be.
  • Faith and church. Whether you will attend the same church, how you will pray together, and what to do when your traditions differ.
  • Children and timing. If, when, and how you hope to raise a family.
  • Handling conflict. What each of you does under stress, and how to repair after a hard conversation.

Why do premarital counseling at all?

Research backs it up. A household survey of several thousand adults across four states, Texas among them, found that people who took part in premarital education had happier marriages, fewer fights, and were less likely to divorce. A review that pooled the results of many premarital programs showed couples communicating better and rating their relationship higher afterward.

Wedding planning can take over an engagement. Counseling sets aside time to focus on the marriage itself.

How does faith fit in?

At Neema Counseling, we believe that faith and science are meant to work together, not contradict each other. You can choose a faith-based or a secular approach. If you want Scripture, your own prayer life, and your church community in the conversation, your counselor will make room for them. If you come from different traditions, or one of you is still figuring out what you believe, you are welcome here too.

Learn more about Christian counseling in Austin.

Who sees engaged couples in Austin

Elvia Delgado, LPC-Associate (supervised by Lauren Jones, LPC-S) sees couples at our Austin office and online. She is fluent in Spanish and English, so you can meet in either language or move between the two. Her approach integrates Bowen Family Systems and cognitive behavioral therapy.

These counselors see engaged couples online anywhere in Texas, including Austin:

What does it cost?

Premarital counseling is priced at our couples session rate. With an LPC or LMFT Associate, the intake and each ongoing session are $150. With a Licensed Professional Counselor, the intake and ongoing couples sessions are $175. We do not sell packages, so you only pay for the sessions you use.

Because insurance usually pays only for care that is medically necessary, most plans do not cover premarital sessions. Our care coordinator is glad to check your benefits first. You can pay by cash, credit card, FSA, or HSA, and some counselors offer reduced rates based on household size and income. Full details are on our rates and insurance page.

Finding our Austin office

Our office is at 2717 Rio Grande Street, Austin, TX 78705, in West Campus. It is a short walk for UT students and an easy drive from Hyde Park, North Loop, Clarksville, Mueller, and downtown. Directions and parking details are on our website.

Frequently asked questions

How early should we start? Any time after the engagement works. Beginning a few months out gives you room to talk without the wedding date pressing on you.

How many sessions will we need? There is no set number. You and your counselor plan it together, and you pay per session, with no packages.

Can we do premarital counseling in Spanish in Austin? Yes. Elvia Delgado sees couples in Spanish at our Austin office and online, and Fabian Armenta sees couples in Spanish online.

Can we meet online if we live apart? Yes. Each of you can log in from a different place, anywhere in Texas.

Do we both need to be Christians? No. Our counselors offer both faith-based and secular premarital counseling.

How do we get started? Book a free 15-minute call or phone 512.669.5701, and our care coordinator will help you choose a counselor and a time.

Ready to take the next step?

The first step is a free 15-minute call. Tell us about your wedding timeline and what you hope to cover, and we will suggest a counselor who fits. Book your free call. You can also read about premarital counseling across Texas or Christian marriage counseling in Austin.

Written by Lauren Jones, LPC-S, Director of Neema Counseling.

This page is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or call 911.

References

Carroll, J. S., & Doherty, W. J. (2003). Evaluating the effectiveness of premarital prevention programs: A meta-analytic review of outcome research. Family Relations, 52(2), 105–118. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2003.00105.x

Stanley, S. M., Amato, P. R., Johnson, C. A., & Markman, H. J. (2006). Premarital education, marital quality, and marital stability: Findings from a large, random household survey. Journal of Family Psychology, 20(1), 117–126. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.20.1.117