Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting premarital counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 20 therapists in South Carolina available for an online or in-person session.

Starting Premarital counseling

What is Premarital counseling?

Premarital counseling is a type of therapy that helps couples prepare for and build a happy, successful marriage. Premarital therapists at Thriveworks in Columbia, SC can help couples develop essential communication skills, identify potential conflict areas, and learn how to manage their specific relationship issues.

How does Premarital counseling work?

When you and your partner begin premarital counseling, your counselor will want to get to know you both as well as your relationship. In order to accomplish this, they will ask questions around the following:

  • Common interests and activities
  • Marital expectations
  • Budget and Finance
  • Children and parenting
  • Intimacy

If there is a particular area that they feel needs to be explored further (for example, you note that you and your partner have very different spending habits and views on money), they’ll guide the conversation in the given direction.

Is Premarital counseling conducted in person or online?

Premarital counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and through Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.

How long does Premarital counseling last?

Generally speaking, Thriveworks premarital counseling in Columbia typically lasts for 8-10 weeks. This, however, can vary depending on the counselor’s approach as well as the clients’ preferences and needs. For example, some couples might request additional sessions to work through problem areas that they’ve identified in their relationship, pre-wedding.

Need more help deciding?

Congratulations! If you have discovered this page, it is most likely because you are planning a wedding, or hoping to do so soon. This is a very exciting time in life. Maybe the date is set, the dress has been bought, the responses received, and someone has cold feet. Alternatively, perhaps you and your partner are looking to explore whether this relationship should be headed for marriage. In premarital counseling, we can help both partners in the relationship decide if marriage is best.

Before agreeing to perform a marriage ceremony, some pastors or priests requires that the couple conduct premarital counseling. This is very common and is done to ensure that both partners are giving this decision the sincerity and contemplation that it deserves. In some states, those wishing to get married under the age of 18 must conduct premarital counseling by law. Whatever the reason you are pursuing premarital counseling, Thriveworks Coumbia SC has premarital counselors ready to help you and your partner explore your feelings and goals for the relationship.

Many couples are unprepared for the number of compromises and decisions that will have to be made in a marriage. There are many issues to discuss, whether a couple is in their 1st or 30th year of marriage. A Thriveworks Columbia SC premarital counselor will help you and your partner discuss many of these in advance, such as:

  • Common interests and leisure activities
  • Role expectations
  • Communication styles
  • Religion and worship attendance
  • Household duties and expectations
  • Budget and finance
  • Children and parenting styles
  • Public or private Education
  • Sexuality and Intimacy
  • Needs for space and privacy
  • Where the family unit will reside
  • Finances and debt
  • Occupations and careers
  • Holiday expectations and travel
  • Relationships with extended family and in-laws

There is no need to worry that entering premarital counseling requires you to get married. In fact, sometimes couples undergo premarital therapy, and then find it best that they do not pursue marriage, or that a marital relationship might be a fit for them in the future, but not at the moment. The choice will be up to you and your partner, after you have explored your relationship in a deep and meaningful way with the help of a Thriveworks Columbia SC premarital counselor.

Through premarital counseling, couples will discover how to create vital skills to help their relationship survive the inevitable challenges it will face. Making an informed decision about the therapist or counselor that will help you on this journey of preparation is very important and should not be taken lightly. Thriveworks Columbia SC is a wise choice. Our premarital counselors are educated and experienced experts in their field. Unlike many offices, we do not operate with a waiting list. We want to be available when you and your partner decide you are in need. For that reason, we have appointments available with 24 hours for most new clients. When you are planning a wedding, you have a lot of decisions to make. Choosing Thriveworks Columbia SC for your premarital counseling is an easy decision. Call us today to start creating the marriage you want for a lifetime.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Columbia therapists and counselors accept 21 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina | BCBS

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Columbia
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.9 Thriveworks Columbia reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★
Everyone is very nice and are really easy to talk to!
Columbia, SC Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Debbie has helped me effectively manage the stress in my current work environment. She has also provided me with practical real-life applications to help me work toward my immediate and long-term goals. I am fortunate to have Debbie as a therapist!
Read more Debbie has helped me effectively manage the stress in my current work environment. She has also provided me with practical real-life applications to help me work toward my immediate and long-term goals. I am fortunate to have Debbie as a therapist!
Columbia, SC Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Debbie is such an amazing person to talk to and she helped me through so much in the past year. She has helped me to understand myself and work through my problems. Absolutely amazing :)
Read more Debbie is such an amazing person to talk to and she helped me through so much in the past year. She has helped me to understand myself and work through my problems. Absolutely amazing :)
Columbia, SC Sep 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Mrs. Anna Gantt-Gordon has an exceptional personality and attitude in working with clients. She goes the extra mile to advocate and encourages others. Great to work with.
Read more Mrs. Anna Gantt-Gordon has an exceptional personality and attitude in working with clients. She goes the extra mile to advocate and encourages others. Great to work with.
Columbia, SC Aug 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I highly recommend Thriveworks! The service from the faculty is surperb from the front office to the life coaches & counselors!! I have been going to Thriveworks for 3 years now and, I absolutely love it! They don't treat you like a number like the other places do! If you or someone you know needs couciling then call Thriveworks Mon-Sat! Yes, I said Saturday! They will help you in anyway they can to make you see the light at the end of the tunnel! Thank you Thriveworks for all of the services y'all have provided me with and still do! Without of all of you I don't know where I would be today!
Read more I highly recommend Thriveworks! The service from the faculty is surperb from the front office to the life coaches & counselors!! I have been going to Thriveworks for 3 years now and, I absolutely love it! They don't treat you like a number like the other places do! If you or someone you know needs couciling then call Thriveworks Mon-Sat! Yes, I said Saturday! They will help you in anyway they can to make you see the light at the end of the tunnel! Thank you Thriveworks for all of the services y'all have provided me with and still do! Without of all of you I don't know where I would be today!
Columbia, SC Mar 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
From the moment I first walked through the doors, I have been treated with respect, and care. I feel so at ease with all the people I have met there. I cannot recommend this team of mental health care providers enough!
Read more From the moment I first walked through the doors, I have been treated with respect, and care. I feel so at ease with all the people I have met there. I cannot recommend this team of mental health care providers enough!
Columbia, SC Nov 2018
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I was having a hard time with my partner and was ready to give up, but we took a chance after some research and found the help we really needed. Sometime you need someone to sit, listen, and guide you. Thank You!
Read more I was having a hard time with my partner and was ready to give up, but we took a chance after some research and found the help we really needed. Sometime you need someone to sit, listen, and guide you. Thank You!
Columbia, SC Mar 2017
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
It was difficult asking for help, but the staff and therapist ensured that I was comfortable and made it the best decision. I plan to continue going again.
Read more It was difficult asking for help, but the staff and therapist ensured that I was comfortable and made it the best decision. I plan to continue going again.
Columbia, SC Mar 2017
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Columbia is right next to Boyd Plaza, and in a shared office building with TD Bank. We are at the corner of Main and Hampton Street, across the street from Wells Fargo.

Phone number

(803) 882-3401

Languages spoken by SC providers

  • English
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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