Do we need to have problems to try pre-marital counselling?

No, many couples come in when things are going well. Pre-marital counselling is a chance to talk about money, family, children and roles before they turn into bigger worries. You and your partner decide which topics matter most, and you can share as much or as little as you like.

What do couples talk about in pre-marital counselling?

Couples often talk about money, children, chores, careers, intimacy, in-laws, and faith or culture. Your counsellor helps you each say what you hope for and listen to what your partner hopes for. You choose the topics and the pace, so you only talk about what you feel ready to share.

What happens in the first pre-marital counselling session?

In the first session, you and your partner meet your counsellor and share what brought you in. Your counsellor asks about your relationship, your plans and what you would like to get from counselling. You can go at your own pace, and you do not have to answer anything you are not ready to talk about.

Can we do pre-marital counselling online in BC?

Yes, you can meet online from anywhere in BC, or in person in Vancouver, Burnaby or Coquitlam. Online sessions can help if you live apart, work different hours or live far from an office. Our intake team suggests counsellors who fit what you need, your language, your budget and where you want to meet.

Is pre-marital counselling covered by insurance?

It may be, depending on your plan. Many extended health plans cover Registered Clinical Counsellors and Canadian Certified Counsellors (RCC/CCC), so check your own plan for details. We also offer sliding scale rates for eligible people, and our fees and funding page explains your options.

Pre-Marital Counselling in BC

Pre-marital counselling is a type of therapy that helps couples prepare for marriage by discussing and working through potential issues and challenges that may arise in their relationship. Here are five interesting headings and short paragraphs describing each aspect of pre-marital counselling.

Book a free consultation See pre-marital counsellors

12 counsellors
In person or online

Signs

What pre-marital counselling can feel like

Most couples have questions and worries before they marry. It may be time to talk with someone when the same topics keep turning into tension, or when you want to plan your future together with care.

The same arguments coming back again and again
Avoiding talks about money, debt or spending
Different hopes about having children
Feeling unheard when you raise a concern
Wedding planning causing more stress than joy
Worry about how your families will fit together
Unsure how to share chores, time and careers
Differences in faith, culture or values to work through

How counselling helps

What working on it together looks likeHow counselling helps

Early on
Understand each other
Together with your counsellor, you talk about what each of you expects from marriage, from money to family. You may find hopes and worries you had not said out loud.
As you go
Talk through hard topics
You practise ways to listen, take turns and calm things down when a talk gets heated. Your counsellor helps you stay on the same side, even when you disagree.
Over time
Plan your future together
You build shared plans for the things that matter to you both, like money, children and roles. You leave with tools you can keep using after the wedding.

Where

In person in Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam, or onlineWhere

About

More about pre-marital counselling

What is Pre-Marital Counselling?

Communication skills: Communication is key to a successful marriage, and pre-marital counselling can help couples develop healthy communication skills. The therapist will help the couple learn how to express themselves clearly, listen actively, and resolve conflicts in a productive manner.
‍
Conflict resolution: Disagreements and conflicts are a natural part of any relationship, and pre-marital counselling can help couples learn how to handle them in a healthy way. The therapist can provide tools and strategies for managing conflict and working through disagreements without damaging the relationship.
‍
Expectations and values: Each partner comes into a relationship with their own set of expectations and values. Pre-marital counselling can help couples explore these issues and identify areas where they may differ. This can help them better understand each other and prevent potential conflicts down the road.
‍
Intimacy and sex: Pre-marital counselling can provide a safe and non-judgmental space for couples to discuss their expectations and concerns around intimacy and sex. This can help them build a strong foundation for their physical relationship and prevent potential issues from arising in the future.
‍
Family dynamics: Family dynamics can have a significant impact on a relationship, and pre-marital counselling can help couples navigate these issues. The therapist can help them explore their own family backgrounds and identify any potential conflicts or issues that may arise when blending families or dealing with in-laws.

The Benefits of Pre-Marital Counselling

Pre-marital counselling can have many benefits, including increased communication, conflict resolution skills, and a deeper understanding of your partner's needs and expectations. It can also provide an opportunity for couples to explore any differences they may have and work towards finding common ground.

How to Find a Pre-Marital Counsellor

To find a pre-marital counsellor, couples can start by asking for recommendations from friends, family, or their primary care physician. They can also search online for therapists who specialize in pre-marital counselling or contact a counselling clinic directly.

What to Expect in a Pre-Marital Counselling Session

Pre-marital counselling sessions typically last 60-90 minutes and may involve individual and/or couples sessions. The therapist may ask questions about your relationship history, values, and goals, as well as provide exercises to help you practice communication and problem-solving skills.

The Importance of Pre-Marital Counselling

Pre-marital counselling can be a valuable investment in your future as a couple. It can help you address potential challenges before they become major issues and establish a strong foundation for a long and happy marriage.

If you're preparing for marriage, consider seeking pre-marital counselling to help you build a strong foundation for a happy and healthy relationship. Contact No Fear Counselling to schedule an appointment at one of our locations.

Couples and relationships

Counsellors who help with pre-marital counsellingCounsellors for pre-marital counselling

See all 12All 12

Colleen Marcoux
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Pre-Marital Counselling, Couples/Marriage Counselling, Improving Communication, Repairing Relationships, Relationship Concerns, Divorce/Separation, Non Conventional Relationships, Open Relationships Dynamics, Assertiveness/Boundaries, Goal Setting, Body Image, Attachment Concerns, Career Counselling, Self Compassion, Loneliness, Polyamory Navigation, Work and Life Balance, Emotional Regulation, Burnout, Purpose, Personal Development/Growth, Life Transitions, Self Esteem, Stress ManagementPre-Marital CounsellingCouples/Marriage Counselling+22 more
- Languages: English
- Where: Online
View profile of Colleen Marcoux
Aman Mann
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Pre-Marital Counselling, Depression, Minority Groups, Codependency, Existential Concerns, Identity, Loneliness, Spirituality, Guilt/Shame, Emotional Regulation, Life Transitions, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Sleep Concerns, Anxiety, Self Esteem, Immigration & Acculturation, Purpose, Relationship Concerns, Stress Management, ADHD and ADD, Social Anxiety
- Languages: English
- Where: Vancouver · Surrey · Online
View profile of Aman Mann
Thao Tran
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Pre-Marital Counselling, Minority Groups, Refugees, Attachment Concerns, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Assertiveness/Boundaries, Marginalization, Women's Concerns, Repairing Relationships, Parenting, Parent Education, Social Anxiety, Couples/Marriage Counselling, Polyamory Navigation, Crisis Management, Divorce/Separation, Relationship Concerns, Immigration & Acculturation, Emotional Regulation, Blended Families, Improving Communication, Building Healthy Parent/Child Connections, Anxiety, Open Relationships Dynamics, Youth/Adolescence Counselling (12 to 17 years), Inner Child Work, Self EsteemPre-Marital CounsellingMinority Groups+25 more
- Languages: English, Vietnamese
- Where: Online
View profile of Thao Tran
Basil Dimou
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Pre-Marital Counselling, Couples/Marriage Counselling, Personal Development/Growth, Sport Performance Anxiety, Career Counselling, Depression, Anger Management, Men's Concerns, Work Stress, Health, Goal Setting, Covid19 Related, Body Image, Divorce/Separation, Relationship Concerns, Work and Life Balance, Coping with Injury/Loss, Life Transitions, Self Esteem, Burnout, Stress Management, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Improving Communication, Building Healthy Parent/Child Connections, AnxietyPre-Marital CounsellingCouples/Marriage Counselling+23 more
- Languages: English
- Where: Online
View profile of Basil Dimou
Caroline Lupetin-Cindric
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Pre-Marital Counselling, Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Life Transitions, Anxiety, Repairing Relationships, Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Depression, Complex Trauma, Anger Management, High Sensitivity, Christian Counselling, Birth Trauma, Assertiveness/Boundaries, Parenting, Child Counselling (6 to 12 years), Social Anxiety, Inner Child Work, Couples/Marriage Counselling, Domestic Abuse/Violence, Concussions, Immigration & Acculturation, Self Esteem, Stress ManagementPre-Marital CounsellingAbuse+22 more
- Languages: English
- Where: Online
View profile of Caroline Lupetin-Cindric
Erin Green
Counselling Therapist
- Helps with: Pre-Marital Counselling, Attachment Concerns, Complex Trauma, Self Compassion, Perfectionism, Couples/Marriage Counselling, Emotional Regulation, Improving Communication, Anxiety, Assertiveness/Boundaries, Identity, Acute Trauma, Chronic Pain, Birth Trauma, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Addictions / Substance Use, Women's Concerns, Youth/Adolescence Counselling (12 to 17 years), Men's Concerns, Guilt/Shame, Crisis Management, Personal Development/Growth, Self Esteem, Grief, Loss and BereavementPre-Marital CounsellingAttachment Concerns+22 more
- Languages: English
- Where: Victoria
View profile of Erin Green

FAQs

Common questions about pre-marital counsellingCommon questions

Can't find your answer? Ask us a question.

No, many couples come in when things are going well. Pre-marital counselling is a chance to talk about money, family, children and roles before they turn into bigger worries. You and your partner decide which topics matter most, and you can share as much or as little as you like.
Couples often talk about money, children, chores, careers, intimacy, in-laws, and faith or culture. Your counsellor helps you each say what you hope for and listen to what your partner hopes for. You choose the topics and the pace, so you only talk about what you feel ready to share.
In the first session, you and your partner meet your counsellor and share what brought you in. Your counsellor asks about your relationship, your plans and what you would like to get from counselling. You can go at your own pace, and you do not have to answer anything you are not ready to talk about.
Yes, you can meet online from anywhere in BC, or in person in Vancouver, Burnaby or Coquitlam. Online sessions can help if you live apart, work different hours or live far from an office. Our intake team suggests counsellors who fit what you need, your language, your budget and where you want to meet.
It may be, depending on your plan. Many extended health plans cover Registered Clinical Counsellors and Canadian Certified Counsellors (RCC/CCC), so check your own plan for details. We also offer sliding scale rates for eligible people, and our fees and funding page explains your options.

Browse

By location

By language

Individual · 42 topics

Couples and relationships · 12 topics

Family and parenting · 10 topics

Children and youth · 13 topics

Trauma and abuse · 11 topics

Health and body · 17 topics

Identity and culture · 12 topics

Work and life · 10 topics

More topics · 2 topics

Who it's for

How we meet

Approaches

Top locations

Pre-Marital Counselling in BC

What pre-marital counselling can feel like

What working on it together looks likeHow counselling helps

Understand each other

Talk through hard topics

Plan your future together

In person in Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam, or onlineWhere