Premarital Counseling
Talking about the hard stuff before the wedding, so it doesn’t blindside you after
Eduardo Florez, LMHC #MH23066 · October 7, 2026 · 4-min read
Part of The ShieldMee Guide: Couples & Relationships →
“We never fight. Is that a good sign or a bad one?”
“We haven’t really talked about money.”
“His family and mine are so different.”
“I love her. I’m just scared we’ll end up like my parents.”
Premarital counseling isn’t for couples in trouble. It’s for couples who want to stay out of it.
It’s the conversations most people skip, in a room where it’s safe to have them.
What we talk about
- Money: debt, spending, saving, who pays for what
- Family: in-laws, holidays, loyalty, boundaries
- Conflict: how each of you fights, shuts down or makes up
- Sex and affection: needs, differences, what you expect
- Kids: whether, when, how many, and how to raise them
- Work and home: careers, chores, who carries the mental load
- Faith and culture: what you each want to keep, and what’s negotiable
Why it helps to talk now
John Gottman’s research found that many of the problems couples argue about never fully go away. Happy couples learn to talk about them without contempt.
Premarital counseling is a chance to find your “forever topics” early, and practice handling them well.
It’s also a chance to notice patterns you each bring from your families, before they quietly take over your marriage.
Want to start your marriage on purpose?
Use your insurance · see your cost before you book
Your relationship, up close
In our sessions, I pay close attention to how you talk to each other. Who explains. Who gives in. Who says “we” and who says “I.” Those small patterns predict a lot.
I look at both of your families, too. Every couple is really two family systems learning to live together.
Bilingual or cross-cultural couple? We can work in English, Spanish or both, and talk openly about cultural expectations.
Some couples find out in premarital counseling that they need more time before the wedding. That’s a good outcome too.
If conflict in your relationship includes threats, hitting, pushing, or one partner controlling the other’s money, phone or movements, that’s not a communication problem. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. It’s free and open 24/7.
Florida marriage license note
Florida lowers the marriage license fee and waives the 3-day waiting period for couples who complete a qualifying premarital preparation course of at least four hours. Licensed mental health counselors are among the providers the law allows. If the certificate matters to you, ask me before you book whether our sessions can count for you.
You might recognize yourself here
- You’re engaged or talking seriously about marriage.
- You avoid certain topics because they lead to fights.
- You come from very different families or cultures.
- One or both of you was hurt by a past relationship or divorce.
- You want to talk about money, kids or sex, but don’t know how.
- You want to do this marriage differently than your parents did.
Who this work is for
- Engaged or seriously committed adult couples in Florida
- Couples marrying for a second time, or blending families
- Bilingual, interfaith or cross-cultural couples
- Couples who just want a strong start
You don’t need a problem to start. That’s the point.
Who this isn’t for
I work with adults. If you are under 18, this page is not describing services for you.
If you are in immediate danger or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If there is violence, threats or control in the relationship, start with the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, not couples therapy.
Sessions must take place while you are physically located in Florida.
Start before the wedding
You don’t need anything to be wrong.
You can start with one sentence:
“We want to get this right.”
We can start there.
In-network with Aetna, Cigna, Florida Blue, UnitedHealthcare and more through Headway · 53-minute sessions
Telehealth anywhere in Florida · English / Español
In crisis? Call or text 988.
Frequently asked questions
How many sessions do we need?
It depends on your goals. Some couples come for a handful of sessions before the wedding. Others keep going into the first year of marriage.
Is premarital counseling covered by insurance?
Plans vary, and some don’t cover sessions without a diagnosis. You’ll see your estimated cost on my Headway page before you book.
Do you use a specific program?
I use a systemic approach, looking at both of you and both of your families. I’m not a Gottman Method therapist, but I draw on his research.
Do you offer therapy in Spanish?
Yes. Sessions can be in Spanish, English, or both.
How much does therapy cost?
It depends on your insurance plan. Most clients pay a copay or coinsurance. You’ll see your estimated cost on my Headway page before you book.
Do you take insurance?
Yes. I’m in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Florida Blue, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar, and other plans through Headway. Check your coverage and book on my Headway page.
When can I start?
Appointments are generally available the next day or within the same week, every day except Saturday.
Eduardo Florez, LMHC
Eduardo Florez, LMHC, has worked across forensic, institutional and private practice settings. He is the founder and clinical director of ShieldMee, a Florida nonprofit telehealth practice, and works bilingually with couples in crisis and clients for whom therapy hasn’t worked before.
Related reading: The Four Horsemen · Couples Therapy · Resentment in Marriage
Ready to talk to someone?
ShieldMee offers telehealth therapy across Florida for individuals, couples, and families. Insurance accepted through Headway.
Start TherapyIf you're in crisis, call or text 988 any time.