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Offered in-person & online

Premarital counseling in Richmond, VA

Start in-person or online sessions with a provider you can trust. We accept most major insurances. Book online or by giving us a call

Get in-person or online care, and cover the majority of the costs with your insurance. Scheduling is easy — call our team and they’ll help you find your perfect match.

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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 therapist as soon as this week

11  therapists available in Richmond

As someone who has worked on understanding my own identity and personal challenges with mental health, I understand the importance...

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As a queer person who has experienced mental health issues in the past, I strive to provide an affirming, safe environment to work...

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I collaborate with my clients to promote healing in a safe and affirming space....

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As a young professional woman, I understand the challenges of navigating through life's stressors, transitions, and relationships....

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Meredith Golob is a Licensed Professional Counselor with an extensive history working with children, adults, and families dealing...

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I understand what it is like to seek help from others. My goal is to be a supportive and safe environment for you to continue to c...

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As someone who has experienced the impact of mental health challenges, I provide a unique perspective, level of understanding, and...

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Through many years of experience as a medical and mental health social worker, and many years of pain and growth in my own life, I...

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As a clinician, I understand that individuals have different backgrounds and experiences that make them unique....

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Paula O’Leary is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has worked in the mental health field for 15 years in a variety of ...

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As a clinician, I strive to cultivate a comfortable, empowering therapeutic relationship that recognizes the client as a whole per...

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Look for a confirmation email in your inbox shortly. We'll help find you a provider and guide you through everything you should know about starting care at Thriveworks.

Starting Premarital counseling in Richmond

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 Richmond, VA 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 Richmond 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?

Richmond Pre-marital Counseling – Marriage, Couples, Relationships

Most couples that undergo premarital counseling are engaged, but it can also be helpful for those just beginning to consider marriage (in this case, the service is called pre-engagement counseling). It can be difficult to know whether marriage is the best next step. Maybe one partner in the relationship is ready for marriage — the other may be scared or anxious.

A skilled premarital counselor can help couples decide for themselves what is best for both individuals through discussion and knowledge sharing. And at Thriveworks Richmond Premarital Counseling, excellent therapists are ready to meet with you this week. Reach out today to get started.

Why Pursue Premarital Counseling?

As with any form or counseling or therapy, there are benefits to the individuals, as well as to the relationship. Getting to know yourself better, as well as understanding your own desires and goals can help you be a better future spouse.

Planning a wedding is stressful for many couples. There are so many tasks to be accomplished, in-laws to meet, friends to wrangle together in some semblance of a wedding party; the list goes on and on. There are so many choices to be made for the actual wedding and reception; couples can disagree about so many different things during this time. If one partner in the relationship is having doubts about the wedding, they may feel very uncomfortable voicing these once the invitations have gone out. However, there is no better time to explore your fears or doubts than before the wedding.

Even the happiest and most stable of couples are put under a great deal of stress during wedding planning. Taking the time to focus on your relationship is the best way to prepare for your wedding and — most importantly — for your marriage. Thriveworks Richmond Premarital Counseling can also help couples understand what marriage is really like in the first to the fiftieth year of marriage.

Common Topics in Premarital Counseling

  • 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

You do not have to be worried that if you enter into premarital counseling that you are obligated to get married. The industry-leading therapists at Thriveworks Richmond Premarital Counseling can help you and your partner decide if this is truly the best next step for your relationship. If it is not, we can help coach you through conversations about where the relationship goes from here. The choice will always be up to you; your counselor will simply help you make the process easier to understand by inviting you to engage in judgement-free communication and understanding.

Benefits of Premarital Counseling

Research has shown that premarital counseling can minimize separation fears and pre-marriage anxieties. Better insight into their relationship, and also into one’s self helps improve both members functioning, as well as finding out skills helpful in various other relationships.

As with most types of therapy and counseling, some of the benefits include:

  • Confidence and assertiveness
  • Patience
  • Avoiding dependency and co-dependency
  • Having realistic expectations of others
  • Contentment
  • Developing coping skills
  • Establishing goals

You should know that therapy, counseling and coaching do not imply you have a problem. Rather, it indicates that you are conscientious in trying to prevent future problems and create the best relationship possible through self-examination and self-improvement.

Scheduling Premarital Counseling at Thriveworks Richmond

We respect your decision to seek counseling and know that it is time-sensitive. We do not believe in operating with a waiting list. We want to be ready when you are ready to seek help. For that reason, in most cases, we have appointments available for new clients within the week. Plus, we offer evening and weekend sessions, and we accept most major insurances.

Call Thriveworks Richmond Premarital Counseling today at 804-554-0356 or click the button below to start planning yourself for a lifelong, healthy, loving relationship.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 360+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our therapists and counselors in Richmond accept 30 insurance plans

  • Adventist Health Associates | Employee Health Plan

  • Adventist Health Associates | Non-Employee Health Plan

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Carelon | Medicare Advantage

  • Cigna | Evernorth

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Self-pay costs at Richmond
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

4.8 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
Counselor is great meets my needs
Clara Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I loved how much my provider listened and communicated with me!
Sierra Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Opening my eye to the reality of my life
Jwan Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Thriveworks makes everything easy and seamless. I appreciate having providers that are able to connect and see progress notes because they are part of the same system. My therapist, Paula O'Leary, is an absolutely wonderful therapist and is helping me transform my life. She is able to work with me in the way I need it and helps me more every single session. Additionally, my Psychiatrist Dr. Ileana Asanache is also spectacular and is the only psychiatrist I've ever felt comfortable with. She listens to my concerns and needs and eases me into every medication/transition so that I am comfortable. This new med regimen she has me on has literally changed my life for the better. I the following diagnoses: Bipolar 2, Anxiety, PTSD, Nightmare Disorder, and we are exploring a SUD disorder as well. They have helped me not just with my mental health, but my addiction, my career, my relationships/boundaries, and overall are helping me improve my life immensely.
Read more Thriveworks makes everything easy and seamless. I appreciate having providers that are able to connect and see progress notes because they are part of the same system. My therapist, Paula O'Leary, is an absolutely wonderful therapist and is helping me transform my life. She is able to work with me in the way I need it and helps me more every single session. Additionally, my Psychiatrist Dr. Ileana Asanache is also spectacular and is the only psychiatrist I've ever felt comfortable with. She listens to my concerns and needs and eases me into every medication/transition so that I am comfortable. This new med regimen she has me on has literally changed my life for the better. I the following diagnoses: Bipolar 2, Anxiety, PTSD, Nightmare Disorder, and we are exploring a SUD disorder as well. They have helped me not just with my mental health, but my addiction, my career, my relationships/boundaries, and overall are helping me improve my life immensely.
Katherine Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
He is a great listener and gives great advice.
William Sep 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I appreciate her identifying my tells in my body language and helping me see them as well. She lets me talk through my experiences. She validates my experiences and has shed light on them with her objective perspective. She was honest enough to tell me when I needed more support and refer me to an IOP program. I am thankful for that. She educates me on her techniques and talks through strategies. .
Read more I appreciate her identifying my tells in my body language and helping me see them as well. She lets me talk through my experiences. She validates my experiences and has shed light on them with her objective perspective. She was honest enough to tell me when I needed more support and refer me to an IOP program. I am thankful for that. She educates me on her techniques and talks through strategies. .
Katrina Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
She listens. She is helpful. She tells me the truth. I need to be hit with a 2x4 sometimes and sometimes she does. Thanks
Matthew Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Very easy to get started and scheduled with a great therapist, Tameka Boone, who immediately made me feel comfortable.
Alexandra Jun 2025
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Richmond is located off of Markel Rd, just south of Libbie Place Shopping Center. Our building is across the street from the Faison Center and next to Pandora’s Lashes and Coates and Davenport, P.C. Our office is in the Enterprise Center, which we share with Liquid Talent Agency and SIL Insurance, among other businesses.

Phone number

(804) 312-5498

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:30pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:30pm

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

Shown in ET

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