"A Wedding Takes An Afternoon
A Marriage Takes A Lifetime"
Be prepared for both!
Now that you have found each other, premarital counseling is about deepening your commitment to the relationship and building upon what you already have.
According to The Enrichment Journal on divorce rates
Premarital Counseling in Los Angeles
Premarital counseling in Los Angeles can greatly improve your odds of a lasting marriage by helping you learn how to get through difficult times before they arrive on your doorstep. Sadly, by the time couples begin to think of getting help through counseling, it's often too late. Planning ahead can save the most precious thing in your possession: your love for each other.
Why Premarital Counseling Matters
For newlyweds, there are an average of 20 positive communications for every 1 negative one. Over time, that ratio tends to shift downward to about 5 to 1. Marriages get into trouble when it drops to 3 to 1 or lower. Premarital counseling can help you learn how to keep that ratio well above 5 to 1, so your relationship stays on its high well after the wedding day. Together, we can chart a course for keeping and deepening the love you already feel for one another.
Common Concerns Couples Face Before the Wedding
The pressure on brides to always appear happy can be overwhelming, and plenty of very real questions and emotions tend to surface in the lead-up to a wedding, including:
- What last name to choose
- Sadness about leaving single life behind
- Handling meddling mothers and mothers-in-law-to-be
- Resolving feelings about the death of a parent or a parents' divorce
- Cold feet and fears of commitment
- Ongoing jealousy about a partner's past
- "How do we keep the passion going?"
- Navigating religious or cultural differences
With divorce rates reaching close to 50%, seeking relationship counseling before marriage has proven, time and again, to be one of the greatest assets in building a marriage that lasts. Addressing these issues sooner rather than later can be the difference between feeling satisfied, loved, and meaningfully connected — or feeling out of control. Most people wait years after problems first emerge before seeking counseling, and by the time they experience the results therapy can provide, they often wish they'd started sooner.
What Premarital Counseling Can Help You Achieve
- Resolve money issues
- Develop skills to cope with in-laws
- Resolve issues with difficult relatives or friends
- Successfully blend families
- Improve communication skills
- Foster deeper love and connection
- Learn how to argue constructively
- Recognize and overcome jealousy
- Get past wedding-related conflicts
- Navigate bachelor and bachelorette party stress
- Resolve wedding jitters and fears of walking down the aisle
- Strengthen self-image and self-esteem
- Improve decision-making and life choices
- Build the ability to set and achieve shared goals
About My Approach
I'm Dr. James E. Walton, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. For over 35 years, I've been helping couples overcome the emotional turmoil that can surround the wedding day — from handling in-laws, to navigating the bachelor party, to letting go of jealousy over past relationships, to easing the stress of walking down the aisle. I address the emotional side of getting married directly, through communication strategies, psychological insights, and self-empowerment techniques.
I take a positive, innovative approach to couples therapy that breaks through communication blocks to build listening skills and intimacy, heal resentments, and develop the closeness that leads to lasting, loving relationships. As a marriage and relationship specialist, I've helped thousands of people overcome the inner emotional saboteurs that can threaten to derail such a joyful time in their lives.
I'm active throughout the therapy process — offering thoughtful, empathic listening, insightful feedback, growth-oriented challenges, handouts, and guidance.
Media Recognition & Features
My premarital and relationship advice has been featured across national media, including:
- Cosmopolitan Magazine
- Fox Entertainment
- Discovery Health's Berman & Berman Show
- iVillage.com and WebiHealth.com
- Thatz Entertainment and Bergen Health & Life
- The Greg Mantel Show and Lisa Garr's The Aware Show
- XM's Alvin Jones Show
- 2007 Oscar Night of the Stars
I also hosted the drive-time radio show *Shrink Rap* on KCSN FM in Los Angeles, which streamed worldwide and made LA Magazine's "Best Of" list. Through the show, I interviewed and exchanged ideas with many leading voices in mental health, making their insights accessible to my listeners and clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is premarital counseling different from regular couples therapy?
Premarital counseling is specifically designed for couples preparing to marry, focused on building a strong foundation before the wedding rather than repairing an established relationship. It addresses the unique pressures and questions that come up in the lead-up to marriage, like blending families, financial expectations, and in-law dynamics.
When should we start premarital counseling before the wedding?
Earlier is better. Many couples wait until wedding planning is already in full swing, when stress is highest, but starting a few months before the wedding gives you time to work through concerns without the added pressure of a looming date.
How many sessions do we need?
It varies by couple, but premarital counseling is generally a focused, short-term process rather than an open-ended commitment. We'll tailor the number of sessions to what you and your partner actually need to feel prepared.
Do you offer premarital counseling online?
Yes. I see couples both in person and online, so you can choose whichever format works best for your schedule.
What topics do you cover in premarital counseling?
We cover the areas that most often create friction in marriages, including communication styles, money and finances, in-laws and extended family, blending households, intimacy, conflict resolution, and any religious or cultural differences that matter to your relationship.
Is what we discuss in session confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is a core part of the therapeutic relationship, with the standard legal and ethical exceptions that apply to all licensed therapists. I'll walk you through exactly what that means for you and your partner during your first session.
How much does premarital counseling cost, and do you accept insurance?
My fee is $250 per session. I don't accept insurance directly, but I provide signed forms (superbills) that many clients use to seek reimbursement for out-of-network mental health benefits.
We've already been living together for a while — is premarital counseling still worth it?
Absolutely. Living together doesn't automatically mean you've worked through the deeper questions marriage brings up, like long-term financial planning, family roles, or how conflict gets handled once you're legally and emotionally "all in." Premarital counseling helps make sure you're truly aligned, not just cohabiting.
We don't have any major issues — do we still need premarital counseling?
Yes, and in some ways it's even more valuable. Premarital counseling isn't just for couples in crisis — it's a chance to strengthen communication skills and build a shared understanding before problems arise, so you're prepared for the ups and downs that every marriage eventually faces.
What happens if premarital counseling reveals we're not ready to marry?
That's a valuable outcome too, not a failure. The goal is clarity, not a predetermined conclusion. If real concerns surface, we'll work through them together — and if you decide you need more time or a different path forward, you'll be making that decision with far more insight than you had before we started.
Schedule a Free Consultation
The goal of premarital counseling is simple: give you a better chance at building a strong, lasting marriage. Call today to schedule a free office consultation and get started in the right direction.
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Available CDs from Dr. James Walton
