Therapy using evidence-based models to inform approaches that are empathetic and goal oriented.

Planning a wedding means thinking about a long list of expenses—venues, clothing, photography, travel, flowers, and everything in between. With so many immediate costs competing for your attention, you may also be wondering how much premarital counseling costs and whether it fits within your budget. The answer depends on several factors, including session length, how frequently you meet, and what you want to accomplish together. Some couples need help exploring a few specific subjects. Others want more time to understand their emotional patterns, strengthen communication, and prepare for several areas of married life. At Cherry Creek Therapy, premarital counseling in Denver is designed to be structured, supportive, and tailored to each relationship. Understanding the cost and what influences it can help you make a thoughtful decision about the support that is right for you.

What Does Premarital Counseling Cost at Cherry Creek Therapy?

Cherry Creek Therapy currently offers the following session options:

50-minute couples session: $175

80-minute extended couples session: $240

15-minute consultation: Free

Sessions are available in person in Denver and online. Extended sessions are encouraged for the first couples appointment and recommended for couples sessions because the additional time allows both partners to share their perspectives without feeling rushed. Cherry Creek Therapy currently provides self-pay services. A limited number of sliding-scale openings may be available, and couples are welcome to ask about availability. Rates can change over time, so visit the Cherry Creek Therapy rates page or contact the practice for the most current information.

Why the Total Cost Varies From Couple to Couple

There is no single total price that applies to every couple. Premarital counseling is personalized rather than offered as a one-size-fits-all course. Several factors can affect your overall investment.

1. Session Length

A 50-minute appointment may be appropriate when you are exploring a focused question or continuing work from an earlier session. An 80-minute session provides more room for both partners to participate, slow down emotionally charged conversations, and explore a subject in greater depth. Longer sessions may be especially helpful during an initial couples appointment.

2. Your Relationship Goals

Some couples begin counseling with specific questions about money, parenting, or family boundaries. Others want to explore several areas, including:

• Communication and conflict resolution

• Emotional and physical intimacy

• Financial expectations

• Household roles and responsibilities

• Children and parenting

• Faith, culture, and family traditions

• Long-term goals and major life decisions

The broader your goals, the more time you may choose to spend working through them.

3. The Complexity of the Concerns

Premarital counseling is not only for couples who are experiencing problems. However, some couples discover unresolved conflict, trust concerns, family pressure, or differences that require more attention. The purpose is not to search for reasons the relationship will fail. It is to create enough safety and time to understand what is happening beneath the surface and determine how you want to move forward together.

4. Session Frequency

Couples may meet weekly or biweekly depending on their needs, schedules, and wedding timeline. Meeting regularly can help maintain momentum, while sessions spaced farther apart may give you more time to reflect and practice new communication skills. Your therapist can help you determine a pace that feels practical and supportive.

5. When You Begin

Starting premarital counseling several months before the wedding often provides more flexibility. You may have time to reflect between sessions without trying to fit emotionally meaningful conversations into the most demanding weeks of wedding planning. If your wedding is approaching quickly, counseling can still be valuable. Your goals may simply need to be more focused.

How Can You Estimate Your Premarital Counseling Budget?

Because couples choose different session lengths and timelines, it can be helpful to estimate the cost using the current per-session rate. For example: Four 50-minute sessions at $175 would total $700. Six 50-minute sessions at $175 would total $1,050. Three 80-minute sessions at $240 would total $720.These examples are not packages or recommendations. They simply illustrate how session length and frequency affect the total cost. Your actual number of sessions will depend on your goals and the pace that works for your relationship. A free 15-minute consultation can help you ask questions about the process before scheduling your first appointment.

Does Insurance Cover Premarital Counseling?

Insurance benefits vary considerably. Coverage for couples or relationship-focused services depends on the individual plan, how the service is classified, and the plan's requirements. Cherry Creek Therapy currently operates as a self-pay practice. If you want to explore whether your insurance plan offers any reimbursement, contact your insurer directly before beginning services. Questions you may want to ask include: Does my plan include out-of-network mental health benefits? Does it offer reimbursement for couples or relationship counseling? Is a deductible required before reimbursement begins? What documentation would be needed? Are there restrictions on which services qualify? Do not assume a service will be reimbursed until your insurer confirms the details of your specific policy.

Are Online and In-Person Sessions Priced Differently?

Cherry Creek Therapy currently lists the same session rates for online and in-person appointments. Although the therapy fee is the same, online counseling may reduce indirect expenses such as transportation, parking, or time away from work. It can also make scheduling easier for partners who have different work locations or demanding schedules. In-person counseling may be preferable for couples who value sharing the same physical space with their therapist. The best format is the one that helps both partners participate consistently and feel comfortable engaging in the process.

What Are You Paying for in Premarital Counseling?

It is understandable to compare the cost of counseling with other wedding expenses. However, premarital counseling serves a different purpose.You are not paying for someone to tell you whether you should get married or decide which partner is right. You are investing in a structured environment where both people can be heard and important conversations can receive the time they deserve.

Premarital counseling can help you:

• Recognize emotional and communication patterns

• Discuss expectations before they become sources of resentment

• Learn how to slow down conflict and repair after disagreements

• Express needs without blame or criticism

• Understand how family history affects the relationship

• Build shared goals while respecting individual differences

• Develop tools you can continue using after the wedding

Counseling cannot guarantee that a marriage will never experience conflict. It can help couples approach that conflict with greater understanding, emotional awareness, and teamwork.

Is Premarital Counseling Worth the Cost?

Only you and your partner can decide how counseling fits into your priorities and budget. For many couples, the value comes from having conversations they have postponed, avoided, or simply did not realize they needed to have. A supportive therapist can help you move beyond surface-level answers and understand the emotions and expectations underneath them. Even couples with a strong relationship may benefit. Seeking premarital counseling does not mean something is broken. It means you are choosing to prepare for marriage with intention. The goal is not perfection. It is to enter marriage with greater clarity about who you are as individuals, how you function as a couple, and how you will care for the relationship during both joyful and difficult seasons.

How to Get the Most From Your Investment

Premarital counseling works best when both partners are willing to participate honestly and remain curious about each other's experiences. To make your sessions as valuable as possible:

• Identify the subjects you most want to discuss.

• Be honest about concerns rather than saying what feels expected.

• Listen to understand your partner—not simply to prepare a response.

• Reflect on conversations between sessions.

• Practice the communication tools you learn.

• Bring unresolved questions back to your therapist.

Begin before wedding planning becomes overwhelming, when possible. You do not need to arrive with everything figured out. The purpose of counseling is to help you explore the questions together.

Also Read

35 Premarital Counseling Questions Every Couple Should Discuss Before Marriage

Preparing for Marriage: 10 Premarital Counseling Topics Every Couple Should Discuss

What to Expect During Your First Couples Counseling Session

Ready to Invest in Your Marriage?

Your wedding is an important day—but your marriage is the life you are building together. At Cherry Creek Therapy, premarital counseling helps couples discuss important expectations, improve communication, and prepare for a future grounded in trust, respect, and shared goals.

In-person premarital counseling in Denver

Online sessions available throughout Colorado

Free 15-minute consultation with Jennifer Gardner, MFT-C

Self-pay services with limited sliding-scale availability

Let's discuss how premarital counseling can support your relationship and help you begin marriage with greater confidence.

(303) 720-6287

90 Madison St Suite 102

Denver, CO 80206

Jennifer Gardner, MAMFT-C