CE Training  |  1 NBCC clock hour  |  Self-paced

Introduction to Premarital Counseling

The foundation for adding premarital counseling to your practice

A 1-hour recorded training with Olivia L. Baylor, LCPC. Learn how to structure premarital sessions, explore the core relationship domains, address ethical considerations, and support engaged couples with confidence.

$69.99  ·  1 hour  ·  1 NBCC clock hour
Enroll NowSee what's inside
Couple walking through a field on their wedding day
1 NBCC clock hour
1 hour
Self-paced, on demand
Introductory level
Certificate included

Who This Course Is For

Clinicians who want a clear, ethical starting point for premarital work.

Licensed TherapistsPsychotherapists and psychologists
Professional CounselorsLPC, LCPC, LMHC
Clinical Social WorkersLCSW, LICSW
Marriage & Family TherapistsLMFT
Two men laughing together on a park benchCouple smiling together outdoorsTwo men smiling side by sideFriends enjoying time togetherWoman smiling with a pride flag

Every couple deserves a counselor who sees them: engaged, LGBTQ+, polyamorous, interfaith, and interracial couples.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1Identify the major themes that arise in premarital counseling, such as communication patterns, financial planning, conflict resolution, and relationship roles.
2Apply structured interventions, including exercises, worksheets, and dialog techniques that facilitate honest communication between partners.
3Evaluate each partner's family background and individual expectations, as these elements often influence the success of a marriage.
4Design effective session materials and homework assignments that continue the therapeutic work outside of sessions.
Therapist meeting with a client
Why this course

Start with a structure

Couples ask for premarital help, and most clinicians were never trained for it. This course gives you the session structure, the core topics, and the ethical guardrails to begin.

Case scenarios walk you through the conversations couples find hardest, so you know what to say before you are in the room.

What's Inside the Course

4 chapters  ·  26 lessons

01Module 1: Welcome to the Course6 lessons
  1. Before you Start
  2. KNOWLEDGE CHECK. This brief knowledge check is intended to assess your current understanding and experience related to premarital counseling
  3. Welcome to the Course
  4. Course Disclaimer, Accreditation & Copyright Notice
  5. Meet Your Instructor
  6. Learning Objectives
02Module 24 lessons
  1. Preparing for the Initial Session
  2. Enhancing Communication Between Partners
  3. Case Scenario: Communication & Financial Conflict
  4. Exploring Family of Origin
03Module 39 lessons
  1. Pause & Reflect
  2. Case Scenario: Communication Breakdown & Emotional Safety
  3. Case Scenario: Cultural & Religious Differences
  4. Case Scenario: Finances & Power Dynamics
  5. Case Scenario: Family of Origin & Boundary Setting
  6. Case Scenario: Intimacy Expectations & Physical Affection
  7. Pause & Reflect: Exploring Relationship Dynamics
  8. Pause & Reflect: Family, Boundaries & Intimacy
  9. Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Premarital Counseling
04Module 47 lessons
  1. Summary and Therapy Questions
  2. References
  3. Final Assessment (Post-Test)
  4. Course Evaluation Survey
  5. Thank you!
  6. Promotional Offerings
  7. Promotional Offering: Premarital Counseling Directory

What You Get

Recorded trainingAbout 1 hour, on demand.
Practice templatesTools to add to your toolkit, with a Therapist Quick-Start Guide.
Case scenariosCommunication, finances, culture and faith, family of origin, and intimacy.
Free directory listingA complimentary 30-day profile on the Premarital Counseling Directory™.
CE certificate1 NBCC clock hour, issued automatically when you finish.

Continuing Education

This program offers 1 NBCC continuing education clock hour.

My Mental Health University® has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7739. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. My Mental Health University® is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

  • Instructional level: Introductory
  • Format: Self-paced, on demand
  • Content areas: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Counseling Relationship; Assessment; Social and Cultural Foundations; Human Growth and Development; Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issues
  • Program cost: $69.99
  • How to earn credit: complete all lessons in order, pass the post-test with 80% or higher, complete the participant evaluation, then download your certificate.
  • State board acceptance: licensing boards vary. Please confirm with your state board that NBCC clock hours are accepted for your license.
  • Refunds: This course is a final sale and does not offer refunds.
  • Accommodations: email [email protected] and we will make reasonable efforts to support your participation.

Your Path to CPMS™

Building a premarital practice? Here is where this course fits.

Start here

Introduction to Premarital Practice

$497. This program offers 11 NBCC clock hours.

Learn more
Skill builder

Introduction to Premarital Counseling

$69.99. This program offers 1 NBCC clock hour.

Credential

CPMS™ Specialist

Become a Certified Pre-Marital Specialist™. Enrollment opening soon.

Not ready to decide on the training yet?

Get the free 30-Day Companion: one premarital counseling idea in your inbox each day for 30 days.

Get the 30-Day Companion

About Your Instructor

Olivia L. Baylor, LCPC, NCC, BC-TMH

Olivia L. Baylor is the founder of My Mental Health University® and creator of The Before I Do Method™. She developed The Before I Do Method™ through years of premarital clinical practice, and it now anchors her books, her couples course, and the Certified Pre-Marital Specialist™ credential pathway. Her work serves heterosexual, LGBTQIA+, and polyamorous couples with equal care.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CE hours does this course offer?

This program offers 1 NBCC continuing education clock hour.

How do I earn my certificate?

Complete all lessons in order, score 80% or higher on the post-test (you may retake it), complete the participant evaluation, then download your certificate. It is issued automatically in your account.

Is it live or self-paced?

Self-paced and on demand. Start anytime and finish on your schedule.

Will my state board accept these hours?

Licensing boards vary. Please check with your state licensing board to confirm that NBCC continuing education clock hours are accepted for your license.

What level is this course?

Introductory. Designed for licensed clinicians new to premarital work.

Do you offer accommodations?

Yes. If you need accommodations to access the course materials, email [email protected] and we will make reasonable efforts to support your participation.

1 NBCC clock hour  ·  $69.99

Start Introduction to Premarital Counseling Today

Self-paced, on demand, with your certificate issued automatically when you finish.

Enroll Now