Premarital Counseling in San Francisco

Talk about the life you want to build together

Preparing for marriage can bring up questions about what each of you expects and how you will handle differences. Premarital counseling gives couples a structured way to discuss communication, conflict, expectations, finances, intimacy, family, and other questions that shape married life.

At Bruce Hearn Psychotherapy, I use the Prepare/Enrich program. This structured assessment and discussion process gives couples personalized information and practical exercises to work through together.

What Is Prepare/Enrich?

Prepare/Enrich begins with an in-depth online assessment, designed to highlight your relationship’s strengths and identify potential areas for growth. Together we can use these insights to:

• Improve communication and conflict resolution

• Explore expectations about marriage, family, and finances

• Deepen emotional and physical intimacy

• Develop strategies for managing stress and life transitions

• Identify topics you want to keep discussing after counseling

We use the assessment as a starting point, with room for the concerns that matter to you. We’ll notice how you handle differences, what helps you feel close, and where conversations tend to get stuck. The work includes practical exercises you can use between sessions.

Why Premarital Counseling?

Premarital counseling helps you discuss important topics before marriage and practice ways of handling differences. It cannot predict how a marriage will unfold, but it can make expectations and potential areas of tension easier to talk about.

What to Expect

• Step 1: Online Assessment – Each partner completes the Prepare/Enrich questionnaire.

• Step 2: Feedback Sessions – We review your personalized results together in 3–6 sessions, depending on your needs.

• Step 3: Skills Practice – You’ll learn and practice tools to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen your bond.

• Step 4: Ongoing Growth – You’ll leave with strategies and resources to continue building your marriage long after counseling ends.

Is Premarital Counseling Right for Us?

This service is designed for couples who are:

• Engaged and preparing for marriage

• Recently married and looking to strengthen their foundation

• In a committed relationship and wanting to explore future steps together

If you want ongoing help with conflict, distance, or trust, you can read about couples therapy. For questions you would like to explore on your own, I also offer individual therapy for adults navigating relationships, anxiety, self-criticism, and life transitions.

About Bruce

I was licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in 2014 and have experience with premarital counseling, emotionally focused couples therapy, and discernment counseling. I welcome couples across sexual orientations, gender identities, cultural backgrounds, and religious or nonreligious perspectives. I was certified to facilitate Prepare/Enrich sessions a decade ago.