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Offered in-person & online

Premarital counseling in Grand Rapids, MI

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance.

All Grand Rapids Charter Township services

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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

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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 Grand Rapids Charter Township, MI 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 Grand Rapids Charter Township 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?

Well, you wouldn’t be on this page if you weren’t engaged (or were not about to be), so let us take a moment to wish you and your significant other warm congratulations! Your life is about to change in so many ways, and we’re here to help coach you through the process while also preparing you for what’s ahead.

At this moment, you might already be neck-deep in wedding plans and all of the details that go into the main event. Who to invite? Where to host the ceremony? Who is going to officiate? Do you really want to sit talkative Aunt Di next to your introverted work friend? Do you want a seating plan at all? What kind of cake do you want? (Maybe turn the whole thing on it’s head and order a PIE — that’ll throw everyone off.)

In all seriousness, all of the planning, decision making, and compromises that go into planning the big day pale in comparison to the much more serious and numerous considerations just around the bend. Will you both work when you have kids? Will you have kids? Whose parents will you live near? What kind of life do you want to see for yourselves in five, ten, fifty years?

The above questions are just the tip of the iceberg. What you’re about to enter into is potentially the single-most transformative relationship of either of your lives, so why not make sure that all of these invested emotions and plans are all pointed towards the same thing: mutual marital bliss.

Do I Even Need Grand Rapids Premarital Counseling?

“Need” might be too strong of a word (unless, of course, your officiator or state requires it), but a better way to put it is that getting premarital counseling in Grand Rapids is a really good idea. Like, a really good idea. Even — if not especially — if things are picture-perfect between the two of you right now.

Many people tend to tie the knot when they’ve been together for exactly enough time to come to the conclusion that they’d rather not spend their time or romantic emotions and affection with anyone else. This blissful period also happens to be the best time for the two of you to sit down and talk human-to-human about who you are and what you expect from your future. It’s way more difficult to discuss these things in a few years, when communication patterns and unsettled scores have set in, and you’ve grown hardened to a certain behavior or personality trait. Just ask any married person (or a divorcee, for that matter), and they’ll back me up on this.

Also, if things are “just peachy” between you two at the moment, you have no idea what either of you is like when major, life-altering stresses and traumas come along. You may have experienced hard times personally, but the game is much different when you have more than just yourself to consider.

At Thriveworks Grand Rapids premarital counseling, we’ll go over all of that and more. Now is the time to talk about your varying perspectives and the challenges just around the bend — which are many, but totally surmountable with some preemptive groundwork and coaching.

What Kind of Topics Will We Discuss in Grand Rapids Premarital Counseling?

Let’s say you or your significant other have some apprehensions about getting married. Perfectly normal. Possibly even more normal than having zero concerns whatsoever. Seeing a premarital counselor is the perfect time to examine and unpack each of these concerns to see what’s going on and what can be done about them.

Some potential concerns include:

  • You don’t want marriage to turn your beautiful relationship into one of the less-than-happy marriages you see around you
  • You love this person now, but will you always love them?
  • What’s the point of getting married in the first place?
  • You come from different belief systems
  • One or both of you isn’t on a steady career path
  • Financial worries

When you meet with one of the professional therapists at Thriveworks Grand Rapids for premarital counseling, you’ll have ample opportunity to discuss all of these things and more in a judgment-free environment with an objective third party to keep the conversation moving in a positive direction.

There’s also a chance that after counseling the two of you might decide to part ways. As strange as it sounds, that more than likely means that the sessions did what they were designed to do: helped you both make the best decision for each of your personal self-interests.

Marriage isn’t something that should be entered into lightly. In your sessions, you might discover things about yourself or your significant other that would make a marriage incredibly difficult, if not painful. You can avoid that. At the same time, finding these things out now can help you both work through whatever issues you have, so they don’t explode a few years down the road and destroy what could have been a lifetime of romantic partnership.

Do yourself a favor. Figure this stuff out now with someone who knows the right questions to ask. You’ll not only save yourself a lot of potential grief, but you’ll set yourselves up for years of happiness and an ever-deepening connection. In fact, studies indicate those who go through premarital counseling experience an average of 30 percent higher relationship satisfaction (WebMD).

Invest in Your Relationship and Your Future

Some people think they’re saving money by skipping the premarital counseling in Grand Rapids and just jumping headfirst into a marriage, when in reality, they’re setting themselves up for thousands of dollars and years’ worth of trouble.

For a relatively small investment in counseling, you’ll potentially save yourself from paying a divorce lawyer or losing half of your assets to a disgruntled ex-spouse.

The professionals at Thriveworks Grand Rapids, Forest Hills Premarital Counseling have worked with a variety of couples from all walks of life—couples who are doing well and couples who are not doing so well. Many of those couples are working to straighten out a mess they could have avoided from the onset by seeking premarital counseling.

Further Reading
Premarital Counseling Builds Better Union. 2003. WebMD.com.

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 Grand Rapids Charter Township therapists and counselors accept 27 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • ASR

  • Blue Care Network of Michigan

  • Blue Care Network of Michigan Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | BCBS Medicare Advantage (HMO | PPO)

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

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Self-pay costs at Grand Rapids Charter Township
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 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I am loving Thriveworks not only for the convenience of virtual appointments, but this is the first place I’ve tried that has actually helped. My therapist is incredibly kind and helpful and is amazing at helping me with any issues I’m struggling with. They paired me with a therapist that is experienced in the specific areas I needed help with, and it has been wonderful. I would absolutely recommend Thriveworks!
Read more I am loving Thriveworks not only for the convenience of virtual appointments, but this is the first place I’ve tried that has actually helped. My therapist is incredibly kind and helpful and is amazing at helping me with any issues I’m struggling with. They paired me with a therapist that is experienced in the specific areas I needed help with, and it has been wonderful. I would absolutely recommend Thriveworks!
Kelly Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have worked with Pamela Rybka LPC both personally and professionally. I have found her compassion and expertise invaluable. She has helped with me issues related to aging and grief and loss. If you need someone to help you on life's journey, contact her. Her kindness and gentle confrontation will help you be the best person you can be.
Read more I have worked with Pamela Rybka LPC both personally and professionally. I have found her compassion and expertise invaluable. She has helped with me issues related to aging and grief and loss. If you need someone to help you on life's journey, contact her. Her kindness and gentle confrontation will help you be the best person you can be.
Grand Rapids Jul 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Emily Warning is an amazing therapist. She is very professional and knows how to listen and respond to my concerns. She really makes me feel heard. Thank you Emily, you are great!
Read more Emily Warning is an amazing therapist. She is very professional and knows how to listen and respond to my concerns. She really makes me feel heard. Thank you Emily, you are great!
Grand Rapids May 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Cassie personally and professionally for over 10 years. She is an extremely kind and compassionate person. She is an excellent listener, she is very thoughtful, organized and you can tell she genuinely cares about her clients and wants to help. She’s an excellent communicator and I would highly recommend her as a counselor any day!
Read more I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Cassie personally and professionally for over 10 years. She is an extremely kind and compassionate person. She is an excellent listener, she is very thoughtful, organized and you can tell she genuinely cares about her clients and wants to help. She’s an excellent communicator and I would highly recommend her as a counselor any day!
Grand Rapids Mar 2022
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Angel was the sweetest person! I’m so glad I chose this place for help! I felt like a crazy person at first but she made me feel like I was just normal and just going through a lot! I really appreciate angel!
Read more Angel was the sweetest person! I’m so glad I chose this place for help! I felt like a crazy person at first but she made me feel like I was just normal and just going through a lot! I really appreciate angel!
Grand Rapids Jan 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Thriveworks is a blessing. I got an appointment with a counselor within a week. Margaret Rose was wonderful. She was kind and insightful and I felt safe with her. I highly recommend Thriveworks Grand Rapids
Read more Thriveworks is a blessing. I got an appointment with a counselor within a week. Margaret Rose was wonderful. She was kind and insightful and I felt safe with her. I highly recommend Thriveworks Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Sep 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
My son saw Denise for the first time recently and she was great. She seemed very well informed in every area and so willing to help my son with his anxiety. She actually spent time with us and seemed to care. I'm so glad we found her.
Read more My son saw Denise for the first time recently and she was great. She seemed very well informed in every area and so willing to help my son with his anxiety. She actually spent time with us and seemed to care. I'm so glad we found her.
Grand Rapids Jul 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I was in need of a psychiatrist for chronic depression and anxiety. I came across thrive having only a 4 month wait instead 9 to 12 month wait with any other psychiatrist. This was wonderful news. I met Denise as my clinician. She is very empathetic very knowledgeable. She has helped me alot sine my first vist. She is very dedicated to her patients which I truly appreciate. I would highly recommend her for any psychiatric needs. I think she goes above and beyond her role. She is a caring individual. There should be more people like Denise. She needs to be recognized for her work.
Read more I was in need of a psychiatrist for chronic depression and anxiety. I came across thrive having only a 4 month wait instead 9 to 12 month wait with any other psychiatrist. This was wonderful news. I met Denise as my clinician. She is very empathetic very knowledgeable. She has helped me alot sine my first vist. She is very dedicated to her patients which I truly appreciate. I would highly recommend her for any psychiatric needs. I think she goes above and beyond her role. She is a caring individual. There should be more people like Denise. She needs to be recognized for her work.
Grand Rapids Mar 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Grand Rapids is located off of Kenmoor Ave SE. We share an office with Paper Plane Therapies, and are located near the ClearChoice Dental Implant Center.

Phone number

(616) 421-9387

Languages spoken by MI providers

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

Shown in ET

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

Shown in ET

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