Premarital Counseling in Houston
At Neema Counseling, we meet with engaged couples at our Houston office on Long Point Road in Spring Branch, a few minutes from Memorial and the Energy Corridor. We also see couples online anywhere in Texas, which helps when work schedules are full or you are planning a wedding from two different cities.
Neema is the Swahili word for grace. Premarital counseling is a chance to practice grace before you need it most: to learn how each of you handles stress, money, family, and disagreement while the stakes are still low.
Why do couples do premarital counseling?
Couples do premarital counseling to talk through the big questions before the wedding, with someone who can help when a conversation gets stuck. Most couples who come to us are happy and committed, and they want to start their marriage well.
Wedding planning takes up a lot of energy. It is easy to spend months on venues and guest lists and very little time on what the marriage itself will look like. Premarital counseling makes room for that.
There is good evidence that it helps. In a large survey of adults in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas, couples who took part in premarital education reported higher satisfaction and less conflict in their marriages, and had a lower risk of divorce. A meta-analysis of premarital programs found that couples came away with better communication skills and stronger relationship quality in the months that followed.
What do we talk about in premarital counseling?
Every couple is different, so your counselor will follow your lead. Some of the topics engaged couples in Houston most often want to cover:
- Money. Spending, saving, debt, giving, and who handles what. Two incomes, one income, and big career moves all raise their own questions.
- Your families. What you each learned at home about conflict, affection, and roles, and how close you want to be with your parents and in-laws.
- Faith. How you will practice your faith together, what church will look like, and what to do when you see things differently.
- Children. Whether and when, and how you each hope to parent.
- Conflict. How each of you reacts when you are hurt or stressed, and how to repair after an argument.
- Intimacy and expectations. The hopes and fears you may not have said out loud yet.
- Blending cultures or families. Interracial and intercultural marriages, second marriages, and stepchildren all bring their own conversations.
What assessments do you use?
Our counselors are certified in the SYMBIS Pre-Marriage Assessment and the Prepare/Enrich premarital assessment. Each of you completes a short online questionnaire on your own, and your counselor uses the results to show where you are strongly aligned and where it would help to talk more. The results often open up conversations you would not have known to have.
How many sessions does premarital counseling take?
It depends on what you want to cover. We do not sell fixed packages. You and your counselor decide together how many sessions you need, and you can add sessions later if something new comes up as the wedding gets closer.
It helps to start early. Beginning a few months before the wedding gives you time to work through anything that comes up without the pressure of a date right around the corner.
Is premarital counseling at Neema Christian?
At Neema Counseling, we believe that faith and science are meant to work together, not contradict each other. Our counselors offer both faith-based and secular premarital counseling. If faith is central to your relationship, it can be part of every session: talking about Scripture, your church community, and what a Christian marriage means to each of you. If one of you is less sure about faith, or you come from different traditions, that is welcome too. You set the pace.
Learn more about Christian counseling in Houston.
Who sees engaged couples in person in Houston
Allison Sims, LMFT-Associate (supervised by Heather Timmis, LMFT-S) has specialized training in couples and family therapy and draws on family systems work. She helps couples strengthen their relationships and feel more connected to each other. She sees couples at our Houston office and online, and she is able to see clients with Aetna and Cigna.
Hallie Nicholls, LPC-Associate (supervised by Lynn Strom, LPC-S) uses cognitive behavioral and solution-focused approaches. She sees couples at our Houston office and online, and she is able to see clients with Aetna and Cigna.
In-person sessions at our Houston office are in English. Couples in the Houston area who would like premarital counseling in Spanish can meet online with Fabian Armenta, LPC or Elvia Delgado, LPC-Associate (supervised by Lauren Jones, LPC-S).
Can we do premarital counseling online?
Yes. Every one of our counselors sees couples online anywhere in Texas, and Fabian Armenta, LPC, sees engaged couples online in English or Spanish. Online sessions work well for couples with long commutes, opposite work shifts, or one partner who is still living in another city. You can each log in from a different place if you need to. Learn more about online counseling across Texas.
What does premarital counseling cost?
Couples sessions with an LPC or LMFT Associate are $150 for the intake and $150 for each ongoing session. With a Licensed Professional Counselor, the intake is $175 and ongoing couples sessions are $175.
Health insurance plans pay for counseling when it is considered medically necessary, so premarital counseling is often not covered. Our care coordinator can check your benefits before you start so you know what to expect. We accept cash and credit cards, including FSA and HSA funds.
Some of our counselors also have openings for reduced-rate sessions based on household size and income. If cost is a concern, please ask us about it. You can find all of the details on our rates and insurance page.
Finding our Houston office
Our office is at 8215 Long Point Road, Suite 11, Houston, TX 77055, in Spring Branch. Long Point runs parallel to I-10, so we are an easy drive from Memorial, Spring Valley, Hedwig Village, Bunker Hill, Hunters Creek, Tanglewood, Garden Oaks, the Heights, and the Energy Corridor. You can find directions and parking information on our website.
Frequently asked questions
Do we both need to be Christians? No. Many couples come from different faith backgrounds, and our counselors offer both faith-based and secular premarital counseling.
When should we start premarital counseling? Many couples start soon after they get engaged. Starting a few months before the wedding gives you time to work through what comes up without feeling rushed.
What if we already know we have some areas of disagreement? That is one of the best reasons to come. Your counselor will help you understand each other's point of view and find a way forward together.
Do you offer marriage counseling after the wedding too? Yes. We also see married couples, including newlyweds who want support in the first years. Learn more about Christian marriage counseling in Houston.
Can we meet in Spanish? Yes, online. In-person sessions at our Houston office are in English, and Fabian Armenta and Elvia Delgado see couples in Spanish by video.
How do we get started? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation or call us at 512.669.5701. We will talk about your timeline and match you with a counselor.
How do we take the first step?
A free 15-minute consultation is an easy way to ask questions and see whether we are a good fit for the two of you. Schedule your consultation here. You can also read more about our premarital counseling across Texas.
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