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Premarital Counseling in Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor

Build your marriage on solid ground

Planning a wedding is exciting. Planning a marriage takes some honest conversations, and counseling is a good place to have them. For premarital counseling, call 970.227.2770 or book online, and we will match you with a counselor who fits. Your first meeting is a free consultation.

What is premarital counseling at Foundations?

Premarital counseling in Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor at Foundations Counseling helps engaged and seriously dating couples talk through money, conflict, family, intimacy and faith before the wedding, using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and practical communication skills. The first meeting is a free consultation, and most new clients are seen within 48 hours.

Premarital counseling is for couples preparing to marry. If you are already married, see marriage counseling. If you are working through a specific problem at any stage of a relationship, couples counseling is built for that.

What does premarital counseling actually cover?

Your counselor helps you talk through the topics that tend to cause friction after the wedding, while things are still calm enough to discuss them well. Common areas include:

  • Communication and conflict: how each of you argues, shuts down or repairs, and how to fight fair.
  • Money: spending, saving, debt and who manages what. The Gottman Institute lists discussing finances among its key premarital conversations.
  • Family of origin: what you learned about marriage growing up, and boundaries with parents and in laws.
  • Intimacy and expectations: sex, affection, time together and roles at home.
  • The future: children, careers, where you will live, and faith or cultural differences.

Is premarital counseling worth it if we are not having problems?

For many couples, yes. Premarital counseling is prevention, not a sign that something is wrong. The Gottman Institute notes that couples who go through premarital counseling have higher relationship satisfaction and a greater buffer for stress later on. It is also easier to learn new skills when you are getting along than in the middle of a crisis. Counseling cannot guarantee how a marriage turns out, but it gives you shared language and tools before the pressures of wedding planning, merged finances and family expectations arrive.

What happens in the first sessions?

It starts when you reach out and tell us what you want from counseling. We match you with a counselor who fits both of you, and your first meeting with that counselor is a free consultation. In the first session, your counselor learns your story as a couple, hears what each of you hopes to strengthen, and helps you choose the topics that matter most. Later sessions work through those topics one at a time and practice the skills in the room, so you leave with conversations you have actually had, not just advice.

Where can engaged couples find premarital counseling in Fort Collins?

Foundations offers premarital counseling in person at our offices in Fort Collins (Central), Fort Collins (Southeast), Loveland and Windsor, or through online counseling anywhere in Colorado. Evening and Saturday times help couples who both work. If you want your faith to be part of the conversation, ask about Christian counseling.

Who will we work with?

Several Foundations counselors list premarital counseling as a specialty. You can meet them in the team section on this page, or tell us what you need when you reach out and we will match you with a counselor who fits both of you. Your first meeting with that counselor is a free consultation. If the first match does not feel right, our Counselor Match Guarantee means we will find another counselor who is.

When is premarital counseling not the right place to start?

Counseling together is not recommended when there is abuse, intimidation, or fear in the relationship. The National Domestic Violence Hotline does not encourage anyone in an abusive relationship to seek counseling with their partner. Call 1.800.799.7233 for confidential support, and consider individual counseling first. If either of you is thinking about suicide, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

Ready to talk?

For a conversation to start at home, read the impact of childhood experiences on your marriage. Questions about cost? See private pay vs insurance therapy. When you are ready, book a free consultation or call 970.227.2770.

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GUARANTEED COUNSELOR MATCH

Premarital counseling works best when both of you trust the counselor. If your first match is not the right fit, we will find another Foundations counselor who is, with a new free consultation. How the Counselor Match Guarantee works.

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HOW WE PREPARE COUPLES

Your counselor helps you name what each of you expects from marriage, then practice the conversations that matter most before the wedding. Methods our counselors use include:

All Therapies

Do You Feel...

What brings people to counseling rarely arrives as one clear moment. More often it builds quietly: a feeling that lingers, a pattern that keeps repeating, a sense that something is off. If any of these sound familiar, reaching out to Foundations is a simple first step.

Communication Breakdown

Premarital counseling can offer strategies to improve dialogue and understanding when conversations often lead to misunderstandings or conflicts, and it seems impossible to see eye-to-eye on various topics.

Conflicting Visions for the Future

If partners have significantly different goals for their future together, such as desires about children, careers, or where to live, premarital counseling can help reconcile these visions to form a unified path forward.

Financial Disagreements

Regular arguments about finances, spending habits, or how to manage money can indicate deep-seated concerns that premarital counseling can address, fostering a healthier approach to financial planning.

Trust Issues

Lingering doubts about fidelity, honesty, or reliability can undermine the foundation of a relationship. Premarital counseling helps couples build trust and create a secure base for their marriage.

Family Dynamics

Struggles with setting boundaries with family or differing expectations about family involvement can create tension. Counseling offers strategies to navigate family dynamics while strengthening the couple's bond.

Intimacy Concerns

Differences in sexual desires or satisfaction levels, as well as difficulties in expressing affection, can be sensitive topics that premarital counseling addresses with compassion and understanding.

Conflict Resolution

If disputes escalate quickly without resolution or avoidance is the go-to strategy, counseling can teach practical conflict resolution skills, ensuring disagreements don't damage the relationship.

Cultural or Religious Differences

When partners come from different cultural or religious backgrounds, navigating these differences can be complex. Counseling can help couples understand and celebrate their diversity.

Lifestyle Adjustments

Major life changes, like moving in together, can reveal compatibility issues or lifestyle clashes. Premarital counseling provides tools to adapt and grow together during these transitions.

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Answers to Common Questions

How long does premarital counseling typically last?

There is no set program. Many couples meet for somewhere between 5 and 10 sessions, weekly or every other week, while others want a shorter tune up before the wedding. Your counselor plans the length around the topics you want to cover and the time you have before your date. Some couples also come back for a few check in sessions after they marry.

Can we do premarital counseling if we're already living together?

Yes. Many couples who come in already share a home, and that often gives you more to talk about: chores, money, schedules and how you handle conflict day to day. Premarital counseling helps you look at the habits you have already built and decide which ones you want to carry into marriage. Living together first does not make counseling any less useful.

What's the difference between premarital counseling and couples therapy?

Premarital counseling is specifically designed for engaged couples or those considering marriage, focusing on preparing for a life together. Couples therapy can be for any couple at any stage, often addressing more immediate or severe relationship issues.

What are the costs associated with counseling or therapy sessions at Foundations?

At Foundations, each counseling or therapy session is $200. Your first consultation is always free, and you are able to meet with as many counselors as you need until you find the perfect match.

Does Foundations accept Insurance?

No. Foundations is private pay and does not bill insurance companies. If your plan has out of network benefits, we can give you documentation to submit for possible reimbursement, so check with your plan first. Paying privately keeps your counseling out of insurance records, avoids a required diagnosis, and lets you choose your counselor and how long your sessions last.

What if I need to reschedule my counseling session?

There is no charge for any session cancelled at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time.

Are you available in the evenings or on weekends?

Yes. Foundations offers early morning, daytime, evening and Saturday appointments, and online sessions can add flexibility. Call 970.227.2770 or book online, tell us what times work for you, and we will match you with a counselor whose schedule fits.

How can we prepare for premarital counseling sessions?

Be open and honest with each other about your expectations and goals for counseling. Think about the areas of your relationship you'd like to strengthen or issues you want to address. Being prepared to discuss these topics openly will make your sessions more effective.

What if we discover serious issues during premarital counseling?

It happens, and it is better to find out now than after the wedding. Your counselor helps you name the issue clearly, understand where each of you stands, and decide what it needs: more sessions on that topic, couples counseling, or individual counseling for one partner. Some couples choose to slow down wedding plans while they work on it. That choice always stays with the two of you.

When should we start premarital counseling before the wedding?

Starting six months to a year before the wedding gives you time to work through topics without rushing, but it is never too late or too early. Some couples begin while seriously dating, and others start a few weeks out. The Gottman Institute puts it simply: the sooner you get started, the better. A free consultation can help you plan a timeline that fits.

What if one of us is hesitant about premarital counseling?

That is common. Hesitant partners often worry that counseling means something is wrong or that they will be blamed. Premarital counseling is not about finding fault; it is about understanding each other before marriage adds pressure. Many couples agree to try one session first. Your Foundations counselor stays neutral and focuses on the relationship, not on either partner.

Do you offer a premarital assessment like SYMBIS?

Some couples like a structured questionnaire to guide the conversation, and premarital assessments such as SYMBIS or Prepare/Enrich are common tools. Whether one is used depends on your counselor. If an assessment matters to you, mention it when you reach out so we can match you with a counselor who uses one. Many couples do just as well working directly from the topics that matter most to them.

Can premarital counseling include our Christian faith?

Yes. If you want your faith to be part of preparing for marriage, Foundations offers Christian counseling that brings biblical perspective together with evidence based methods. Your counselor can talk through how you will practice faith as a couple, differences in belief or tradition, and expectations from your church or families. Faith integration is always your choice.

Can we do premarital counseling online?

Yes. Foundations offers online counseling anywhere in Colorado, which helps couples with busy schedules or partners who live in different towns before the wedding. Online sessions cover the same topics and use the same approaches as sessions in our Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor offices. You can also mix online and in person sessions.

Is premarital counseling different for a second marriage or blended family?

The core topics are the same, but a second marriage often adds more to talk through: children from earlier relationships, co parenting with an ex, step parent roles, merged finances and what you learned from the first marriage. Premarital counseling gives you space to plan for these before they turn into conflict. Your counselor can include children later if that helps.
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Colorado Licensed Counselors

Yes
Not Always

Appointment Scheduling Within 48 Hours

Yes
No

Counselor Match Concierge

Yes
No

Expert In-house Counselor Training

Yes
No

All Counselors Are Employees

Yes
No

In-person Or Online

Yes
No

Local Company & Ownership

Yes
No

Community Involvement

Yes
No

Pay Per Session

Yes
No

First Visit Free

Yes
No
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Find the Right Match

We understand that the journey to emotional well-being begins with connecting you to the right counselor. That's why we proudly offer our unique Counselor Match Guarantee. We don't just pair you with any counselor; we meticulously match you with someone who aligns with your specific needs, preferences, and goals for healing and growth. If the initial pairing needs to be corrected, we encourage you to explore our diverse and experienced team until you find the perfect fit.

Your comfort and progress are paramount, so we ensure you always have a supportive and confidential environment to pursue your journey of self-discovery and healing. Choose us as your trusted partner in this transformative experience—because your well-being deserves the utmost care.

Begin your journey today and take the first step towards a brighter, more fulfilling tomorrow. Let us guide you to emotional wellness with our dedicated and compassionate counseling services.

Meet Our Counselors

Meet the Premarital Counseling Team

10 counselors Fort Collins 6 Loveland 3 Windsor 1

See Everyone See Everyone

Kelsey

Edwards M.S.W., SWC Get to Know Me

Mariah

Milne M.S.W., LCSW Get to Know Me

Viki

Pippin BA Get to Know Me

Karen

Ragland M.A., NCC, LPCC, CCTP Get to Know Me

Marie

Zeledon M.A., LPCC Get to Know Me

Gayla

Joseph B.S. Get to Know Me

Erik

Peaslee B.S. Get to Know Me

Katie

Tiffany M.S.W., SWC Get to Know Me

Kelly Vander

Woude B.A., M.Div. Get to Know Me

Natalie

Corbett M.S.W., LSW, ADDC Get to Know Me
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Testimonials

Excellent care given to their clients with great respect for everyone's privacy and a passion for helping families.

Caitlin M

I enjoyed working with two of the counselors at Foundations. Both listened to me and helped me to begin to see patterns that I hadn't before.

Kristie

I received compassionate, competent help. Every session was helpful and productive. The therapist was a perfect match for me and was always accessible and truly cared about my welfare.

Tony C

I have had great experience with foundations! I have made a lot of self improvements since I started and only continue to grow and become a better husband and dad for my family! I highly recommend foundations!

Travis G

Great place to go to gain understanding and tools to help yourself become your very best!

Winter

Foundations has been a wonderful experience. You can tell how much they care about you as an individual.

Alexis G

Great and helping services! Genuine caring and help! Help was available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Gene C

Great customer service and care. My counselor was excellent!

Chloe

Quick appointment availability. Great counselor and opportunity to change to another if conflicts arose.

Heather H

Very kind, knowledgeable, and helpful counselor. Highly recommended.

Phillip J

Foundations has wonderful counselors that are very normal down to earth people. Pleasantly surprised by my experience.

Bradley M

My wife and I would recommend foundations counseling. Balancing the psychology and Christian approach to challenging subjects in our marriage was a huge blessing. Thank you!

Charles S

Awesome counseling company that is also easy to work with. Mary Kelly is amazing and has helped me so much and I really enjoy my appointments!

Megan M

Foundations was really able to bring my family closer. We can never repay you for that, everything was amazing and we really appreciate everything you guys did for our family.

Kevin D

I tell all my friends that this has really been my secret lately to being more active, happy and healthy.

M Peterman

My family found this place for me and its been a blessing.

George M

Lots of insight. Very helpful.

Gina G

My daughter has been going here for months and looks forward to her visits here. I highly recommend Foundations for your therapy needs!

Miles A

My journey is private, but the free consult was definitely worth my time.

M Burnham

My love and I are strong believers in Christ who are working towards engagement and marriage. I would highly recommend Foundations Counceling. Relationships are the ultimate investment!

Bethany X

My relationship with my counselor at Foundations Counseling has been more helpful than I ever could have imagined. I would HIGHLY recommend Foundations for anyone pursuing help, growth, or freedom in their life.

Amanda H

I love it! I have been going here for over a year and it is some of the best staff I have ever worked with.

Carli B

Right from the start, Foundations has been very accommodating and compassionate to our needs. I am very pleased with counseling services.

Paul B

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Start your journey with a therapist you can trust, and experience personalized therapy that’s right for you. Meet with as many counselors as you need until you find the perfect fit.

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