Pre-Wedding Couples Counselling Mini Course
"We should have done a pre-marital agreement long ago. thank you Ghita." - Jessica and Andrew
Before Getting Married or Living Together Preparation Course:
A Pre-Marriage Toolkit
Most couples spend up to 250 hours planning their wedding, but very little time, if any, planning for married life. Here is an opportunity to invest in your relationship before you are married and reap rewards for many years to come. In saying that, a lot of couples move in together, or get married, and then realise that they need a rule book for their relationship - especially about household chores, money and expectations surrounding roles.
At Ghita Therapy we provide individualised, intensive support to couples in preparing for marriage, moving in-together or to create a long over due toolkit for committed long-term relationships.
Did you know that 44% of couples who get married today agree to pre-marital counselling? And that they estimate that it reduces conflict by 40%?
Mapping Out Your Journey Together
Designed as Couples Counselling for couples getting married or moving in together, our three intensive hour workshop has helped engaged couples to build strong foundations for their future going forwards. Many celebrants and ministers will recommend a pre-wedding/ marriage counselling course of some kind in order to sort through personal differences / values differences / conflict resolution before things become difficult.
A Pre-Marriage and Relationship Preparation Course Creates a Strong Marital Toolkit for Relationship Harmony: Negotiating Expectations, Deal-Breakers, Intimacy, Resolving Conflict and more...
The great thing about these contracts is that your pre-marital counsellor will, ultimately, tailor the questions and sessions to your unique situation and relationship – and give you the space to discuss with the guidance of a non-judgmental third party.
Is Pre-Marital Counselling Common?
Yes, it has become a pivotal moment for couples moving in together and getting married in Australia. Following from trends in the USA (from originally church designed courses), couples find that there is much less to negotiate or disagree about when a pre-marital contract is hanging inside the wardrobe door.
Certainly, marriage is a big investment (emotionally and financially), and failure comes at a high cost.
Divorce Statistics Australia (2016 - Bureau of Statistics):
A Happy Marriage Builds Upon... (Gottman & Silver, 1999):
How Long Does it Take?
The average time couples spend in pre-marital counselling before getting married is 3-5 hours. During these sessions we uncover the unspoken issues and potential hurdles to a happy, united union. You can do this with a package listed below or one hour at a time.
Is This Course Suitable for Same Sex Couples?
Yes. All couples will find these negotiations prior to a wedding or moving in together helpful.
Before Getting Married or Living Together Preparation Course:
- Do you feel satisfied in your relationship or do you already have doubts?
- Are you worried because you haven't sorted out some major red flags?
- Do you have some differences in values or gender expectations?
- Are you prepared for what marriage/ living together is really like?
A Pre-Marriage Toolkit
Most couples spend up to 250 hours planning their wedding, but very little time, if any, planning for married life. Here is an opportunity to invest in your relationship before you are married and reap rewards for many years to come. In saying that, a lot of couples move in together, or get married, and then realise that they need a rule book for their relationship - especially about household chores, money and expectations surrounding roles.
At Ghita Therapy we provide individualised, intensive support to couples in preparing for marriage, moving in-together or to create a long over due toolkit for committed long-term relationships.
Did you know that 44% of couples who get married today agree to pre-marital counselling? And that they estimate that it reduces conflict by 40%?
Mapping Out Your Journey Together
Designed as Couples Counselling for couples getting married or moving in together, our three intensive hour workshop has helped engaged couples to build strong foundations for their future going forwards. Many celebrants and ministers will recommend a pre-wedding/ marriage counselling course of some kind in order to sort through personal differences / values differences / conflict resolution before things become difficult.
A Pre-Marriage and Relationship Preparation Course Creates a Strong Marital Toolkit for Relationship Harmony: Negotiating Expectations, Deal-Breakers, Intimacy, Resolving Conflict and more...
The great thing about these contracts is that your pre-marital counsellor will, ultimately, tailor the questions and sessions to your unique situation and relationship – and give you the space to discuss with the guidance of a non-judgmental third party.
Is Pre-Marital Counselling Common?
Yes, it has become a pivotal moment for couples moving in together and getting married in Australia. Following from trends in the USA (from originally church designed courses), couples find that there is much less to negotiate or disagree about when a pre-marital contract is hanging inside the wardrobe door.
- Marital research has shown a 30% lower rate of divorce in couples who have participated in pre-marital counselling and a strong marriage positively affects a person’s level of happiness, physical health and emotional well-being for years.
- Further research suggests that it reduces things to fight about by 40%!
Certainly, marriage is a big investment (emotionally and financially), and failure comes at a high cost.
Divorce Statistics Australia (2016 - Bureau of Statistics):
- 1 in 3 marriages (40%) end in divorce in Australia. UK stats: 50%, USA 40%
- The peak of the divorce rate was at 4 years
- 77% of couples co-habitate before marriage
- Up to 65% of second marriages end in divorce (And that does not include de Facto statistics which may be up to 85%)
A Happy Marriage Builds Upon... (Gottman & Silver, 1999):
- Friendship rather than fighting (Deep friendship is at the heart of the marriage).
- Seeing the good in your partner (Giving them the benefit of the doubt)
- High levels of trust and total commitment maintain the relationship.
- Capacity to repair (A healthy companionship supports repair following disagreements and conflict).
- Marriage purpose (A partnership has a purpose, where each supports the other’s hopes and dreams).
How Long Does it Take?
The average time couples spend in pre-marital counselling before getting married is 3-5 hours. During these sessions we uncover the unspoken issues and potential hurdles to a happy, united union. You can do this with a package listed below or one hour at a time.
Is This Course Suitable for Same Sex Couples?
Yes. All couples will find these negotiations prior to a wedding or moving in together helpful.
Topics for Your Pre-Marriage Agreement:
Respected as one of the best Couples Counsellors on the Gold Coast, Family Counsellor Ghita Andersen will take you on a journey to help you flourish in the important topics that you both select from the following...
“Marathon sessions get so much momentum. Couples are so focused on their relationship that they really move through interventions and process attachment injuries much quicker” – Julie Gottman
Respected as one of the best Couples Counsellors on the Gold Coast, Family Counsellor Ghita Andersen will take you on a journey to help you flourish in the important topics that you both select from the following...
- Love Languages
- Handling Finances
- Unrealistic Expectations
- Communication and Conflict Resoution
- Beliefs, Values and Standards
- Marriage Roles (Role Expectations) and Responsibilities
- Affection, Sex and Intimacy
- Children and Parenting
- Extended Family Relationships
- Decision Making
- Life Dreams and Goals
- Household Chore Division
- Social Life
- Holidays
- Relationship 'Deal Breakers' (Extra-marital Affairs etc.)
“Marathon sessions get so much momentum. Couples are so focused on their relationship that they really move through interventions and process attachment injuries much quicker” – Julie Gottman
Certainty Before the Big Day or Moving in
If you are concerned already that you have some glitches in your relationship, that’s not necessarily a reason to avoid getting married or moving in together. Don’t give up until you have invited a pre-marital counsellor to look at the blind spots that might need fine tuning to help you feel confident in your connection.
What are the Benefits of Pre-Marital Counselling?
In a nutshell, marital resilience. Many couples encounter some typical upsets during their engagement that simply require...
Successful Pre-Marriage Counselling
Based on our experience, the most successful clients attend every appointment; so make your appointments a priority.
Package Two: Pre-Wedding Couples Counselling Mini Course 2025:
3 Hour Intensive Workshop (Currumbin):
- Includes a negotiated points contract written by you both
You Will Learn to:
HOUR 1-3: Write your Pre-Marital Agreement
*Includes work teas and coffees, worksheet
*Note that in this time you may only negotiate the top five to ten points
*Terms and Conditions at the bottom of this page.
Success Stories:
If you are concerned already that you have some glitches in your relationship, that’s not necessarily a reason to avoid getting married or moving in together. Don’t give up until you have invited a pre-marital counsellor to look at the blind spots that might need fine tuning to help you feel confident in your connection.
What are the Benefits of Pre-Marital Counselling?
In a nutshell, marital resilience. Many couples encounter some typical upsets during their engagement that simply require...
- Learning better ways to talk about conflicts
- Agreeing to call timeouts until you both can be more objective in solving problems
- Making sure that you are “getting your partner” and vice versa
- Appreciating your cultural differences
- Grasping the best ways to deal with potential differing in-law expectations
- Moving out of singlehood into habits that build secure marriages
- Dealing with any concerns about
- Verbal or physical abuse
- Potential alcohol or drug abuse
- Problematic withdrawal patterns.
Successful Pre-Marriage Counselling
Based on our experience, the most successful clients attend every appointment; so make your appointments a priority.
- Be willing to take risks and try new things. (You are going to learn new skills, some of which may seem unfamiliar at first. Commit to trying them out.)
- Prepare for each session. (This is a vital opportunity for your marriage; take it. Come prepared with a list of what you want to discuss and any changes since the last session.)
- Provide direct and honest feedback. Be open and honest about what is, and what still needs work.
Package Two: Pre-Wedding Couples Counselling Mini Course 2025:
3 Hour Intensive Workshop (Currumbin):
- Includes a negotiated points contract written by you both
You Will Learn to:
HOUR 1-3: Write your Pre-Marital Agreement
- Explore and list your expectations of the relationship over time
- Marriage Roles (husband / wife role expectations), Values, Chores, Deal Breakers, Parental Responsibilities, Family, Culture etc.
- Develop rituals that deepen your sense of closeness
- Identify effective strategies for affair protection
- Learn about the Marriage Jar: Work on the marriage
- Come to understand your partner’s Love Language for experiencing affirmation from you.
- Develop a freedom to talk about your sexual intimacy together
- Communicate effectively
- NEGOTIATE: Learn to negotiate your needs in a good way to reduce fighting dramatically: Eg: Reflective Listening
- Learn about a united teamwork: Lean in not away: Speak with heart not the ego
*Includes work teas and coffees, worksheet
*Note that in this time you may only negotiate the top five to ten points
*Terms and Conditions at the bottom of this page.
Success Stories:
★★★★★ Feedback Testimonial Pre-Marital Agreement: 2022:
We had been to Couples Counselling before with another counsellor. We felt we were being sold a package last time rather than doing the work, so we did not achieve much. I was convinced that we were separating and it was too late. This session was very different. Ghita nailed our problem and made us negotiate. After many years of arguing over the same thing, she showed us how to do deals. We should have done a pre-marital agreement long ago. I can see that now. I was of the mindset to leave, but one hour turned it around for us. We negotiated our personal time and even had a contingency plan for when things went wrong. Our homework was to fill in a full agreement covering all the other points we did not cover in session and to stick this on the back of a cupboard door. We both agree this session was nothing like what we expected. Thank you Ghita. - J & A Tovey. (Hope Island)
★★★★★ Testimonial Pre-Marital Agreement Counselling 2022
We should have done a pre-marital agreement long ago. I can see that now. I was of the mindset to leave, but the first hour turned it around for us. We negotiated our personal time and even had a contingency plan for when things went wrong. Our homework was to fill in a full agreement covering all the other points we did not cover in session and to stick this on the back of a cupboard door. We both agree this session was nothing like what we expected. Thank you Ghita. - Jessica & Andrew. (Hope Island Gold Coast)
★★★★★ 5 Star Google Review: Marriage Counselling: 2023:
Ghita provided real strategies that can be implemented to prevent conflict and more empathy within our relationships. We were able to be truthful and honest within ourselves from better self reflection and then she gave us the tools to be able to communicate our needs effectively. We both learnt how to actively listen to one another and remember the other person's needs are different. Ghita was absolutely warm and welcoming, would definitely recommend her intensive 3 Step Program, it has saved our marriage. - Nicole Eggleton (Coomera).
★★★★★ Pre-Marital Couples Counselling (3 Hour Workshop) Testimonial: "Since seeing you last week things have been great and it looks like we are back on track. We have connected amazingly over the weekend. Thank you." Ryan and Kimberly (Elanora).
What Sets Ghita Apart From Other Couples Counsellors?
Ghita Andersen (B.Soc.Sci: Psych & Coun; Grad Cert FDR) is a professionally trained Counsellor and an Federally Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Mediator. Passionate about helping people and regarded as one of the most effective Couples Counsellors on the Gold Coast, (Currumbin location only) Ghita has helped hundreds of couples in the decade she has been working on the coast. Ghita helps Australian couples working interstate and overseas via telehealth sessions. Please read Ghita's Reviews and Testimonials page..
If you’ve got any questions for Ghita before committing to a session or a package, please feel free to request a Free 10 Minute Call-Back via text or phone today on 0439 888 070. And it is okay for you both to have a chat with Ghita before booking, so you know what to expect.
Ghita Andersen (B.Soc.Sci: Psych & Coun; Grad Cert FDR) is a professionally trained Counsellor and an Federally Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Mediator. Passionate about helping people and regarded as one of the most effective Couples Counsellors on the Gold Coast, (Currumbin location only) Ghita has helped hundreds of couples in the decade she has been working on the coast. Ghita helps Australian couples working interstate and overseas via telehealth sessions. Please read Ghita's Reviews and Testimonials page..
If you’ve got any questions for Ghita before committing to a session or a package, please feel free to request a Free 10 Minute Call-Back via text or phone today on 0439 888 070. And it is okay for you both to have a chat with Ghita before booking, so you know what to expect.
Terms and Conditions of Package Two:
Please read our terms and conditions before purchasing. By booking this special, you agree to our terms.
Please read our terms and conditions before purchasing. By booking this special, you agree to our terms.
- Available online through the booking portal via credit card deposit. Not available via phone.
- Deal format is three hours in a row: Note: A three hour package may not be long enough for all desired points to be included in your pre-marital agreement
- Face to face only - Currumbin Rooms. Not available via Telehealth video or phone
- No refunds on unused hours: I.e: Walk-outs, Cancellations or delays in booking beyond valid date.
- 24 HOURS NOTICE OF CANCELLATIONS (NO EXCEPTIONS): Cancellation Policies Agreeing to our terms when booking and then later saying that you did not read them is no excuse
- Offer expires 3 months from purchase
Case Study: JUSTIN AND AESHA: A story of different values
Justin and Aesha have known each other for about 1 year and been dating for about six months. Although they come from vastly different cultures, her family is Indian and his family is Anglo-Australian, they are deeply in love and plan to get married. Since they have not known each other a very long time, friends and family have suggested that a premarital counselling would be a good idea before they make any final commitment to each other.
As Justin and Aesha attend their workshop, they are both a bit anxious. They have never attended therapy or counselling and do not know what to expect. As they meet their pre-marriage counsellor for the first time, they are happy to find that they have a good rapport with Ghita and she is easy to talk to. Justin and Aesha are particularly assured after she carefully explains how she works with couples and her policy of ‘no secrets’ during the couples counselling process.
Aesha and Justin each talk about their experience of growing up, about family expectations around spiritual and religious beliefs and their values. Although Justin has spent time with Aesha’s family, he is surprised at the degree to which Aesha feels strongly about her Hindu religious beliefs and that she wants her children to have the benefit of everyday rituals. On the other hand, when Justin thinks of his own haphazard Anglican upbringing he admits to feeling a bit intimidated.
In the pre-marital plan, Ghita suggests that Justin and Aesha consider making an agreement regarding the religious upbringing of their children. At first, Justin and Aesha thought the suggestion was a little premature, however after some discussion, they both acknowledged that the issue of children and religion was hugely significant, especially to Aesha, and that one of the reasons they had decided to come to premarriage counselling in the first place was to address any major issues that might come up.
Consequently, a resolution about some of the big issues proved to be extremely difficult and fraught with emotion for both Aesha and Justin, and they were glad they had Ghita’s assistance to work through the problem. Yet through these discussions, Justin also discovered that if they made a decision to raise their children in the Hindu tradition, their decision would have ramifications for Justin and his family.
Through a budgeting exercise, Aesha and Justin come to realise that their approach to finances is vastly different: The couple are both given $1,000 in pretend money and they have to budget and spend the funds. Aesha happily and easily spends almost all of the money with only $7 left over, while Justin finds that he wants to save the majority of the money and only spend what he has to on necessary budgetary items like housing, utilities and paying bills. The difference is both surprising and a bit startling.
Ghita realises that the value differences between her clients is quite substantial, but she uses exercises and role play activities in the third hour to help them to reframe their differences into strengths. Ghita also helps the couple to discuss how they might each be able to compromise in relation to some of these value and cultural differences, and works with them to enhance their Reflective Listening Skills so that discussing potential compromises in the future can come more easily. To this end, they receive homework to do to carry-on what they have learned in session.
Working with Ghita allowed Aesha and Justin to reach an honest and open awareness of each of their needs and develop true empathy for each other’s cultural needs. Counselling helped them to reach a compromise about future situations, and even more importantly, they both felt really hopeful about their future together.
* Names altered.
Justin and Aesha have known each other for about 1 year and been dating for about six months. Although they come from vastly different cultures, her family is Indian and his family is Anglo-Australian, they are deeply in love and plan to get married. Since they have not known each other a very long time, friends and family have suggested that a premarital counselling would be a good idea before they make any final commitment to each other.
As Justin and Aesha attend their workshop, they are both a bit anxious. They have never attended therapy or counselling and do not know what to expect. As they meet their pre-marriage counsellor for the first time, they are happy to find that they have a good rapport with Ghita and she is easy to talk to. Justin and Aesha are particularly assured after she carefully explains how she works with couples and her policy of ‘no secrets’ during the couples counselling process.
Aesha and Justin each talk about their experience of growing up, about family expectations around spiritual and religious beliefs and their values. Although Justin has spent time with Aesha’s family, he is surprised at the degree to which Aesha feels strongly about her Hindu religious beliefs and that she wants her children to have the benefit of everyday rituals. On the other hand, when Justin thinks of his own haphazard Anglican upbringing he admits to feeling a bit intimidated.
In the pre-marital plan, Ghita suggests that Justin and Aesha consider making an agreement regarding the religious upbringing of their children. At first, Justin and Aesha thought the suggestion was a little premature, however after some discussion, they both acknowledged that the issue of children and religion was hugely significant, especially to Aesha, and that one of the reasons they had decided to come to premarriage counselling in the first place was to address any major issues that might come up.
Consequently, a resolution about some of the big issues proved to be extremely difficult and fraught with emotion for both Aesha and Justin, and they were glad they had Ghita’s assistance to work through the problem. Yet through these discussions, Justin also discovered that if they made a decision to raise their children in the Hindu tradition, their decision would have ramifications for Justin and his family.
Through a budgeting exercise, Aesha and Justin come to realise that their approach to finances is vastly different: The couple are both given $1,000 in pretend money and they have to budget and spend the funds. Aesha happily and easily spends almost all of the money with only $7 left over, while Justin finds that he wants to save the majority of the money and only spend what he has to on necessary budgetary items like housing, utilities and paying bills. The difference is both surprising and a bit startling.
Ghita realises that the value differences between her clients is quite substantial, but she uses exercises and role play activities in the third hour to help them to reframe their differences into strengths. Ghita also helps the couple to discuss how they might each be able to compromise in relation to some of these value and cultural differences, and works with them to enhance their Reflective Listening Skills so that discussing potential compromises in the future can come more easily. To this end, they receive homework to do to carry-on what they have learned in session.
Working with Ghita allowed Aesha and Justin to reach an honest and open awareness of each of their needs and develop true empathy for each other’s cultural needs. Counselling helped them to reach a compromise about future situations, and even more importantly, they both felt really hopeful about their future together.
* Names altered.
Copyright Ghita Andersen 2025. Images by Freepik
<counselling before marriage>, <pre-marital-counselling-gold-coast>, <pre-marriage-counselling-near-me>, <couselling-before-wedding-gold-coast>, <couples-counselling-before-wedding-gold-coast>, <pre-marriage-counselling-course-gold-coast>, <couple-therapy-gold-coast>, <ghita-andersen-counselling>, <Ghita-Therapy-couples-counselling>, <weddings-gold-coast>.