Make room for the marriage, not only the wedding
Premarital Counseling by video across California.
Conversations Before Marriage
Planning a wedding can fill the calendar while bigger questions remain in the background. How will you make decisions? What do you expect from each other? Which parts of life together have you not really discussed?
Premarital counseling offers time for those conversations before a wedding or another commitment. All six treating clinicians at Shoreline offer this service, so provider fit can include language, approach and availability.
Maybe this sounds familiar
01
Wedding plans crowd out deeper conversations.
02
You assume you agree but have not asked.
03
You want to practice discussing differences.
04
You are making a commitment without a wedding.
01 · Understand
Start with expectations you may not share
People can use the same words and imagine different futures. A shared home, involvement with relatives, money decisions or time together may mean one thing to you and another to your partner. You do not have to treat a difference as a warning sign to take it seriously.
Sessions can help you put those expectations into words and notice where you have been filling in the answer for each other. The aim is understanding and useful discussion, not proving that you are a perfect match.
02 · Practice
Keep the conversation specific
Instead of trying to solve your entire future, you can bring a few decisions that are already in front of you. What needs an agreement now? What is still uncertain? How would you want to return to a topic as life changes?
A therapist can help you discuss communication, conflict and repair using your own examples. Premarital work does not guarantee a marriage outcome or provide a pass or fail judgment about whether you should marry.
03 · Choose Your Next Step
Six clinicians, with room to find your fit
All six treating clinicians offer premarital counseling: Holly, Emily Chen, Misty, Nicola, Dina and Aidé. Ask about the approach, language and availability that fit your needs. Emily Harris supports the team as a supervisor and does not see clients at the practice.
The consultation can clarify the service and practical next steps. You do not need a complete plan for the relationship before asking questions. No fixed package, result or number of sessions is promised here.
A therapist who fits you
These clinicians offer the related service. Availability and the right approach for your situation are part of the consultation.
Holly Whitmore
MA, LMFT
Gottman couples therapy and IFS
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Emily Chen
AMFT
EFT, attachment and inner child work
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Misty Goldenberg
AMFT
EMDR, perinatal and couples work
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Nicola Loretto
MA, AMFT
Grief, identity and Gottman couples work
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Dina Abdelaal
AMFT
Trauma and PTSD, in English and Spanish
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Aidé Merito
AMFT, APCC
Teens, identity and trauma, in English and Spanish
View profileFees in brief
We are in network with Aetna (PPO and EPO plans only), Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum and Blue Shield of California. Not every clinician is in network with every plan.
Seeing someone out of network? We provide superbills you can submit for reimbursement.
Rates and insuranceLicensed therapist
$180
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Associate therapist
$150
per telehealth session
For adults, couples, children or families
Questions before you begin
Do we need to have relationship problems first?
No. Premarital counseling can be a place to explore expectations while things feel good. You can ask about the focus and format during a consultation.
How do I ask about this service?
Tell the practice the broad kind of support you are seeking, your language preference and whether you have a clinician in mind. Fit, availability and any fee or insurance arrangement need to be confirmed before an appointment.
A small first step
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss provider fit, availability and the next step. Keep personal and health details out of an ordinary website inquiry. Ongoing sessions are offered by video within California.
Explore Premarital CounselingKeep exploring
Talking About Money Before Marriage
You may know each other's favorite meal before you know how each person thinks about shared expenses, saving or financial privacy.
Family Boundaries Before Marriage
Families can bring support, tradition and strong expectations into a new marriage.
Make room for a different conversation
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation. We'll help you consider provider fit and next steps.