A commitment to each other, with family in the picture
Premarital Counseling by video across California.
Family Boundaries Before Marriage
Families can bring support, tradition and strong expectations into a new marriage. Decisions about visits, holidays and who gets a say may feel small until partners discover they were imagining different rules.
Premarital counseling gives those assumptions a place to be discussed before they become recurring conflicts. You can respect your background while considering what you want to build together.
Maybe this sounds familiar
01
You imagine different holiday routines.
02
Relatives have strong opinions about the wedding.
03
You disagree about sharing personal details.
04
You want to set expectations without disrespect.
01 · Understand
Explore what belonging looks like
One person may expect frequent family contact while another assumes more independence. Neither expectation tells the whole story. Ask what the arrangement means, what feels important and what might be difficult about changing it.
Your therapist can help you discuss family and cultural context without assigning a single correct level of closeness. The conversation can include both appreciation and discomfort; you do not have to describe your family as entirely supportive or entirely difficult.
02 · Practice
Discuss decisions and privacy
You can talk about which choices belong to the two of you, what you want to share with relatives and how you will respond when someone asks for more involvement than you want. Examples from wedding planning may offer a useful starting point.
Agreements should be clear enough to discuss and flexible enough to revisit. Premarital counseling is not a requirement to cut ties or a promise that family members will respond well. It focuses on how you communicate and make decisions as partners.
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
Can we talk about cultural differences without making them the problem?
Yes. You can ask for a respectful exploration of what matters to each person. The goal is to understand your experiences and choices rather than treat a background as something to correct.
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
Conversations Before Marriage
Planning a wedding can fill the calendar while bigger questions remain in the background.
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.
Make room for a different conversation
Start with a free 15 minute phone consultation. We'll help you consider provider fit and next steps.