Well, first I have to mention my online marriage prep course. It’s based on things I’ve done with couples in face-to-face premarital counseling over the years. The feedback from couples over the years has been very good – they seem to really enjoy it and find it helpful. It’s free to couples whose weddings I am officiated and am able to give them the official completion certificate that saves them $60 on their license.
However, I am not a licensed therapist. My course is based on my work as a minister, graduate level courses in counseling and a lot of years of marriage (yes, all to the same woman!).
So if you are wanting more – and even couples who use my course – I encouage them to do as much as they have time and money for. So here’s low-down on some options you could pursue for premarital counseling in Nashville.
🏛️ The Professional Route: Counselors & Therapy Groups
Many couples in Nashville seek out licensed mental health professionals. These are folks trained specifically in relationship dynamics and use proven methods to help you and your partner.
- Therapy Centers and Private Practices: Nashville has numerous counseling groups and individual therapists specializing in couples and premarital work. Places like Willow Counseling, PLLC or The Gaia Center often use structured programs like Prepare/Enrich or the Gottman Method (I love Gottman’s stuff). These are evidence-based frameworks designed to identify your strengths and growth areas.
- What to Expect: You’ll likely have a few individual sessions followed by joint sessions, focusing on topics like communication, finances, conflict resolution, romance/sexuality, and family roles.
- The Big Bonus: Be sure to ask your counselor if they provide the necessary certificate of completion that saves $60 on the Tennessee marriage license!
⛪ The Community Route: Churches and Faith-Based Options
If you and your partner have a religious or spiritual life, a great place to start is often your own community.
- Local Churches: Many Nashville churches offer premarital counseling. This can be in the form of a group class or through a referral to a counseling organization they partner with.
- What to Expect: These programs often integrate faith-based principles with practical relationship skills and cover similar core topics like communication and conflict, but from a spiritual perspective.
- Faith-Focused Counseling: There are also dedicated counseling services, like Hopeful Outlook Counseling & Consulting, that offer programs with a specific spiritual or biblical framework for couples who want that emphasis.
💻 The Modern Route: Online & Virtual Counseling
In today’s world, you don’t always have to drive across town. Many Nashville-based counselors offer telehealth or virtual sessions, giving you great flexibility.
- Licensed Online Therapists: A search on sites like Psychology Today, filtering for couples counseling and your location, can connect you with licensed professionals who conduct their sessions entirely online. This is perfect if your schedules are packed!
💡 Your First Step: Finding the Right Fit
The most important thing is finding a counselor you both feel comfortable with. Here’s a quick plan:
- Check for Free Consultations: Many practices offer a free 15-minute phone or virtual consultation. Use this time to ask about their approach (Gottman, Prepare/Enrich, etc.), their fee structure, and whether they offer the Tennessee marriage certificate.
- Discuss Needs: Talk with your partner about whether you prefer a faith-based approach or a strictly secular one.
- Use Search Directories: Beyond the specific names mentioned, check major directories for licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) or licensed professional counselors (LPCs) in Nashville who specialize in premarital work.
I have long said that premarital counseling doesn’t solve all your problems. You don’t know all your problems until life comes at you. But it can give you a heads up on any red-flag issues or deal breakers. And should there be no deal-breakers, give you skills to deal with the problems that come our way in life.