Start Your Marriage Strong With Premarital Counseling Orlando

Getting married is an exciting milestone, but building a strong marriage involves more than planning the perfect wedding day.

Many partners searching for premarital counseling in Orlando, FL, find it challenging to navigate honest conversations about communication, money, family expectations, intimacy, or long-term goals, especially when emotions run high or perspectives differ.

At Total Life Counseling (TLC), our experienced therapists provide a supportive space where couples can explore these important topics before challenges arise. With guidance from a trained professional, you and your partner learn how to communicate effectively, understand each other’s needs, and resolve conflict in healthy and respectful ways.

It is a proactive investment in your relationship that gives you the tools, confidence, and clarity to begin marriage with a deeper connection and a shared vision for the future.

A man kneeling down to propose to a woman

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Jim West

What is Pre-Marital Counseling?

Pre-marital counseling is simply the best way to become better prepared for the many challenges you will face in your marital relationship. Premarital counseling services in Orlando focus on developing skills such as communication, handling conflict, solving problems, and making decisions.

A premarital counselor in Orlando will help you develop the knowledge, attitudes, expectations, and characteristics that are important to creating a satisfying relationship.

Pre-marital counseling is designed to deal with the unique challenges you face in your relationship. Most books and seminars are geared towards a large audience and often will not address your direct needs.

What Are The Benefits You Can Expect from Premarital Counseling?

Premarital counseling helps couples build the practical and emotional skills needed for a strong, healthy, and lasting marriage. It gives partners a structured space to understand each other more deeply and prepare for real-life challenges together with confidence and teamwork.

Couples commonly experience benefits such as:

  • Improved communication skills and the ability to listen without defensiveness
  • Better strategies for handling conflict and resolving disagreements calmly
  • Increased emotional connection, intimacy, and trust
  • More clarity around expectations for marriage, daily roles, and shared responsibilities
  • Healthier conversations about finances, family planning, and long-term goals
  • Stronger understanding of each partner’s needs, values, and stress triggers
  • Confidence entering marriage with a clear vision for the future

By addressing important topics early and learning tools to navigate challenges before they escalate, couples begin marriage with confidence, clarity, and a stronger foundation for a lifelong partnership.

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Call For a Complimentary 15 Minute Phone Consultation. Se Habla Español: We have Portuguese and Spanish speaking counselors as well.

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Our subject matter experts have participated in over 150 national & local news interviews and they are here for you!

At Total Life Counseling Center our Counselors are Experts for National and Local TV, Radio and Print Media. We have an excellent reputation amongst graduate & private schools, attorneys, doctors, therapists, providers and corporations. We strive to ensure our therapists have diverse clinical backgrounds, to allow us to match each client to the therapist that will best meet his or her needs.

Why These Key Relationship Topics Matter Before You Say I Do?

Premarital counseling helps couples explore meaningful areas of their relationship and prepare for a strong, healthy marriage. These conversations support understanding, alignment, and confidence as you build your life together. Key areas include:

  1. Communication: It is often said that men are clams, and women are like crow bars trying to pry information from their spouse or partner. Or men come from Mars, women are from Venus. Learning how the other communicates is a key to a successful marriage. Learning the tools of how to listen, how to understand different perceptions, knowing how to speak for yourself, and how to let your partner know you understand what they are saying are important keys to learn before entering into a marriage.
  2. Attitudes & Expectations: Most couples have discussed their major goals in life, their dreams and aspirations. But during pre-marital counseling, you will want to discuss each other’s attitudes and expectations concerning work, play, and daily household chores. How do you handle the individual steps to getting to the end result?
  3. Conflict Resolution: All marriages have problems and conflicts. No two people think or feel exactly the same way. Learn how to handle conflicts, be proactive in handling your anger, and learn techniques that have been successful in fighting fair.
  4. Religious Beliefs: Whether or not you see yourself as religious, it is important to work through your beliefs as individuals and as a couple. How do you see God? Which church will you attend? Will you practice the same beliefs as your extended families?
  5. Finances: It is widely known that the #1 reason for divorce is money issues. Make sure that finances and managing money is part of your pre-marital counseling. Work out a budget and have clear expectations before you enter into marriage. Be aware of any previous debts that each of you has accrued.
  6. Sexuality: Be willing and ready to express yourself openly and honestly in counseling. Sexual intimacy is more than just intercourse. Each couple should have the freedom to share, to enjoy, to love, and to learn about their sexual needs and desires prior to beginning their marriage relationship. Any prior abuse or traumas need to be discussed in counseling within a safe environment.
  7. Family Planning & Children: Though children may not be in your near future, it is necessary to discuss your plans and thoughts about starting a family. Communicating your thoughts and attitudes towards children now, before marriage, spares you many problems, misunderstandings, and heartaches after marriage.

Premarital counseling helps couples build alignment before challenges arise, reducing misunderstandings and strengthening their connection as they prepare for marriage.

If you are ready to invest in a strong foundation for your relationship, take the first step toward a strong marriage.

Couple getting married

What Is the Prepare and Enrich Assessment?

“Prepare and Enrich” is a customized couple assessment completed online that identifies a couple’s strengths and growth areas.

Based on a couple’s assessment results, a trained TLC facilitator provides 4-8 feedback sessions, helping the couple discuss and understand their results as they learn proven relationship skills.

How Many People Have Taken The Prepare and Enrich Program?

Over 2.5 million couples have taken the Prepare and Enrich Program since it began in 1980.

What Are The Major Goals Of The Prepare and Enrich Program?

There are several goals of the PREPARE & ENRICH Program. In order to achieve these goals, there are exercises designed to help couples improve their relationship skills. The program helps couples:

  1. Explore strength and growth areas
  2. Strengthen communication skills
  3. Identify and manage major stressors
  4. Resolve conflict using the Ten Step Model
  5. Develop a more balanced relationship
  6. Explore family of origin issues
  7. Discuss financial planning and budgeting
  8. Establish personal, couple, and family goals
  9. Understand and appreciate personality differences

What Relationship Areas Are Assessed By The Inventories?

The Prepare and Enrich assessment evaluates key areas that influence relationship strength and long-term marital success. These inventories help couples identify both strengths and growth opportunities so they can build a healthier and more connected partnership.

The assessment includes:

  • 12 Relationship Scales that explore communication, conflict resolution, roles, sexuality, finances, spiritual beliefs, and other core areas of partnership
  • 5 SCOPE Personality Scales that highlight individual personality traits and how they impact relationship dynamics
  • 4 Couple and Family Scales based on the Circumplex Model, focusing on closeness, flexibility, and overall family functioning
  • 4 Relationship Dynamic Scales that examine patterns such as power balance, relationship confidence, and openness
  • 30 Customized Scales tailored to each couple’s background, needs, and unique circumstances

These insights create a clear roadmap for counseling sessions and support positive change rooted in understanding rather than guessing.

What to Expect in Premarital Counseling Sessions?

Premarital counseling sessions are designed to help couples feel supported, understood, and equipped with practical tools they can apply right away. Each session focuses on strengthening communication, building emotional connection, and preparing for real-life experiences that marriage brings.

During your sessions, you can expect:

  • Guided conversations that help both partners feel heard and respected
  • Structured exercises to practice communication and problem-solving skills
  • Time to explore relationship strengths and growth areas identified through assessments
  • Tools and strategies to manage conflict in healthy and constructive ways
  • Space to talk openly about sensitive topics with a neutral and trained therapist
  • Personalized feedback and action steps to apply between sessions
  • A calm and supportive environment where both partners can express their needs confidently

Sessions are typically short-term and tailored to your goals, whether you are preparing for marriage soon or simply want to strengthen your relationship before taking the next step.

Call us at (407) 248 0030 to schedule your first session.

Couple talking to a counselor

Why Choose Total Life Counseling?

At Total Life Counseling, we understand that every relationship is unique. Our premarital counseling approach is personalized rather than one-size-fits-all, giving couples practical tools that apply directly to their real everyday life. We focus on strengthening connections, improving communication, and building the confidence couples need to begin marriage on solid ground.

Couples choose TLC because:

  • Experienced and licensed premarital counselors with extensive training in relationship dynamics, communication skills, and conflict resolution
  • A supportive and non-judgmental environment where both partners feel safe, respected, and heard
  • Research-based methods, including the Prepare and Enrich assessment, are used to provide clear insight and direction
  • Practical tools and strategies that couples can use immediately inside and outside of sessions
  • Personalized counseling plans tailored to each couple’s needs, circumstances, and goals
  • Flexible scheduling with in-person sessions in Orlando and online premarital counseling options for convenience
  • Inclusive care for diverse couples, backgrounds, and belief systems

Our goal is to help you build a strong and resilient foundation for marriage, rooted in understanding, trust, and a shared vision for the future.

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A Few Kind Words From Satisfied Clients

Licensed Counselors & Therapists

Meet Our Team of Certified & Experienced Professionals

Total Life Counseling Center consists of Licensed Counselors, Masters Level Therapists, Espanol Counselors, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Business Coaches, Image Enhancement Coaches who provide counseling for emotional, mental, physical and spiritual care including marriage, individual, family, substance abuse and more. Our team of certified and experienced professionals, dedicated to serving a comprehensive spectrum of mental health and relationship issues such as couples, women and men’s issues, children and teens with oppositional defiance, video game addiction, ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, and trauma survivors, is here to support and guide you through your journey towards healing and navigating life transitions. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of the counseling provided but also builds trust within the community and among potential clients, who may be seeking support.

We offer next level counselors specialized in areas such as relationships, video game & drug/alcohol addictions, abuse, trauma, depression, and ADHD. Our Therapists are EMDR (eye movement desensitization) trauma therapy trained, cognitive behavioral therapy, specialize in ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Children, and are also professional Gottman method marriage couples counselors to give the best results to couples and to provide the best comprehensive spectrum of mental health and relationship care for our clients.

Struggling with Anger? We offer 8 hour anger management group therapy!

Discounted Rates and the president of Total Life Counseling Center Jim West does not want to turn people away and we have counselors at various levels of experience at a discounted rate that are trained by our next level counselors!

BEST SOUTHWEST ORLANDO FAMILY COUNSELING CHILD TEEN ADULT THERAPY Serving ADHD, ASD, Anxiety

Jim West

MA, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, national certified counselor

President, Counselor, Guest Speaker, Author, Social Skills, ADHD, ODD, ASD, children, teens, and more!

Dana West

Dana West

MSW, Licensed clinical social worker

Vice President, Counselor, Guest Speaker, Addictions, Trauma, Couples, Abuse, and more!

Orlando Dr Phillips marriage intensive & Gottman Relationship Counselor Expert in Windermere Area Florida

Mathew Martin

MS, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

Counselor, Coach, Guest Speaker, Marriage, Individual Males, Substance Abuse and more!

Brandon Feinberg, MS

 

Brandon Feinberg

MS, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

Male Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in ADHD, Asperger Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and more!

BEST LAKE MARY MARRIAGE FAMILY COUNSELING CHILD TEEN THERAPY

Lyris Steuber

MS, licesned marriage & family therapist

Counselor, Coach, Marriage & Family, Play Therapy, Divorce, Adolescent and more!

Valerie Ware, Psy S

Valerie Ware

Psychologist and Behavioral Specialist

Psychological Evaluator, Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Anxiety, Gifted, Career Pathways, and emotional assessments.

Gemima McMahon MA, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor of Total Life Counseling Center

Gemima McMahon

MA, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in Women’s issues, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Cutting, Couples, Children and Teenagers and more!

Pedro Michael Valdez IV

Pedro Michael Valdez IV

MA, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in personality disorders, trauma, depression, and anxiety for individuals, families, and couples.

Audrey DeBruler

Audrey DeBruler

MS, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Children, Adolescents, Young Adults, Faith Based Counseling, Trauma Recovery, Anxiety and more!

David Duany, MA, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

David Duany

MA, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in ADHD, Social Skills, and Anger Management counseling for children, young adults, and families.

Katherine Waldheim

Katherine Waldheim

MS, Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern

Trauma, anxiety, couples counseling, and child & adolescent counseling services and more!

Sarah Dornas Albuquerque Portrait

Sarah Dornas Albuquerque

MS – Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Anxiety, Depression, Children, Teens, Young Adults, English, Spanish and Portugues and Adult Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does premarital counseling cost on average in Orlando?

The average cost of premarital counseling in Orlando is usually between 100 and 150 dollars per session, depending on the therapist’s experience and session length. Packages and sliding scale options are available through many local providers offering flexible pricing for couples.

Are there any Christian or faith-based premarital counseling options in Orlando?

Yes, many churches and counseling centers in Orlando offer Christian based premarital and marital counselling that integrates faith, relationship education, and emotional support. These programs help partners strengthen communication, clarify values, and prepare spiritually and practically for marriage.

How long does premarital counseling typically take in Orlando?

Premarital counseling usually lasts four to eight sessions, with each appointment lasting about sixty to ninety minutes. The timeline varies based on the couple’s needs and goals, allowing flexible pacing that supports learning relationship skills and building long term readiness for marriage.

How to find any premarital counseling near me?

You can start by searching online for premarital counseling near me or browsing therapist directories, church programs, and local mental health clinics. Reading reviews, checking credentials, and scheduling a consultation will help you choose a provider who feels like the right fit.

How can I find a good premarital therapist near me?

To find a good premarital therapist near me, start by checking therapist directories, reviews, and recommendations from friends or faith communities. Look for licensed counselors experienced in Orlando premarital therapy, schedule a consultation, and choose someone both partners feel comfortable with.

Do you need any special requirements or paperwork to start premarital counseling in Orlando?

Most couples do not need any special requirements or paperwork to begin premarital counseling in Orlando. You simply complete a basic intake form and schedule therapy sessions with a licensed professional who will guide you through the process in a supportive safe space.

Is premarital counseling available virtually?

Yes, many couples therapists offer virtual therapy sessions that provide the same support as in person work. Online counseling can be a safe space to discuss important topics, practice conflict resolution skills, and build a solid foundation from home.

What premarital counseling topics are covered?

Premarital counseling focuses on communication, finances, intimacy, family expectations, and handling potential challenges together. Many therapists use premarital education and structured approaches to help partners strengthen understanding, connection, and long-term problem-solving skills.

How many sessions does premarital counseling take?

Most programs include four to eight joint sessions, depending on goals and the type of therapy used. Couples work through relationship assessments, communication exercises, and planning for the future while developing tools that support lasting partnership and healthy conflict management.

Total Life Blog

Pre-Marital Tips From our TLC Therapists

Southwest Orlando Office Location

Our Total Life Counseling Center Southwest Orlando location is conveniently located at Metro West Professional Plaza near Dr. Phillips & Windermere 2 miles off the 408 off Hiawassee. Surrounded by shops and beautiful sceneries, our main office location provides counseling, therapy, coaching, camps and career services for relationships, addictions, abuse, trauma, depression, ADHD, and more!

Total Life Counseling Center Metro West (Main Office)

Metro West Professional Plaza
1507 South Hiawassee Road, Suite 101
Orlando, FL 32835

(407) 248-0030