What changes
What you'll actually walk away with
Big Topics, No Longer Avoided. Exhale.
Money, kids, careers, the life you're designing — pulled out of the someday pile and talked all the way through. Not "we'll get to it eventually." Settled, together, while it's still easy to settle.
Knowing Me, Knowing You. Knowing Us.
Why you're each wired the way you are — the histories you both walked in with. Get the why, and the things that might've quietly baffled you about each other for years just make sense instead.
Nothing's Off the Table.
The subjects that go unspoken in most couples become ones you can open any time — no bracing, no tiptoeing. You say the hard thing and stay close, because the room stays warm even when the conversation isn't.
Small Stuff, Stays Small.
You catch it, name it, let it go — the way couples do when nothing's been quietly stacking up in the background for years. Light, current, nothing owed.
A Team, Not a Standoff.
On the same side, at ease, nothing to manage. The excited kind of close, the kind that doesn't slowly harden into two people being careful around each other.
You're Built for What's Next.
Not because you've mapped every road ahead — no one can. Because you know how you two work now, so whatever's next feels like something to walk into together, not brace for.
The guide
You've Already Done the Hard Part — Finding Each Other. Let's Build the Marriage to Match.
Here's what we see the moment you walk in: two people who are right for each other, ready for what's next. Getting a little guidance as you start this chapter is simply one of the smartest, most exciting things a couple can do — and the couples who do it tend to be the ones already thinking a step ahead.
Althought Therapy is founded and led by Dr. Samantha Awalt, a licensed psychologist. We work from a developmental, depth-oriented model — and we offer same-week access, because when you're ready to build something good, you shouldn't have to wait to start.
We won't hand you a generic checklist. Your relationship runs on its own logic — its own history, its own rhythm. We learn it before we touch it. That's the difference between going through the motions and building something that's truly yours.
The plan
How the work goes
First, the discovery.
A guided, insight-rich session that feels more like discovery than therapy — how you each communicate, where you each land on the big stuff, an enhanced map of the two of you.
Get to know each other underneath.
We learn the histories you each walked in with, and how those two stories add up to one relationship with its own logic.
Build what the new chapter asks for.
Every marriage calls for a few things you simply haven't needed until now — together, we get them in hand before you need them.
Open the big topics — together.
Money, kids, careers, the life you're designing: the conversations most couples put off become the ones you leave feeling most solid about.
Walk out ready — and keep the door open.
You leave able to have the real conversations on your own, and because we know your relationship from the inside now, we're right here for the chapters ahead.
Not sure which fits? That's what the consultation's for.
A relaxed conversation about where you two are and what you're hoping to build — no pressure, no commitment. We'll help you find the right starting point.
Book a consultationWhy this works
Why this is more than a checklist
Plenty of premarital programs hand you a questionnaire. Answer the prompts, compare your scores, find out where you line up and where you don't. It's a fine place to start — and it's where a lot of programs stop.
The trouble is, a checklist can tell you that you disagree about money or timelines or in-laws. It can't tell you why — and the why is the whole thing. Two people can want the same thing for completely different reasons, or clash on the surface while wanting the exact same thing underneath. That's the part a form can't reach.
A checklist can map your differences. It can't build your marriage.
So we go where the real answers live: the histories you each carry, the reasons you're each wired the way you are, the logic your relationship already runs on. When you understand that, you're not just noting where you differ — you're building something that actually fits the two of you. That's the difference between filling out a worksheet and walking in genuinely ready.
This is developmental, depth-oriented work, led by a licensed psychologist. It's not a box to check before the wedding. It's the part that makes everything after it better.
The stakes
Save the Nerves for the Aisle
Every couple feels a flutter before the big day — that's just part of it. But the quiet "we should really talk about that sometime" thoughts? Those don't have to come along for the ride.
When you've had the real conversations ahead of time — money, family, the life you're building — you're not carrying any of it down the aisle with you. You already know where you stand, and you know where they stand. What's left is the good kind of nervous: the excited kind.
That's what this work gives you. Not a wedding with zero jitters — a marriage you've actually built, not just booked. So on the day itself, the only butterflies left are the ones you want.
Getting started
What our process looks like
Starting is simpler than it feels. Here's exactly what happens, from your first hello to your first session.
Get in touch
Reach out through the contact form on this page or give me a call. Tell me a little about what's been going on — no long intake, just a first hello.
Schedule a phone consultation
We'll set up a brief call to talk through what's been happening and make sure we're the right fit before you commit to anything.
Get set up on your online portal
When you're ready, we'll get you onto your secure client portal for scheduling, paperwork, and telehealth links — all in one place.
Begin premarital counseling
We start the work — in person in Lakewood, fully virtual, or hybrid.
Who you'll work with
Meet your therapist
Dr. Samantha Awalt, Ph.D.
Founder & Licensed Psychologist
Couples come to Dr. Awalt when transitions — pregnancy, postpartum, new parents, infidelity, career — have exposed older patterns and the existing tools aren't holding. Her work integrates Gottman Method, EFT, and psychodynamic frameworks.
What we help with
Premarital counseling for these
Couples come to us excited and looking ahead — not to fix what's broken, but to build something well from the start. We help you get aligned across everything that matters, including:
- Premarital Counseling
- Marriage Preparation
- Engaged Couples Counseling
- Secular / Non-Religious Premarital Counseling
- Second Marriage & Blended Family Preparation
- Communication Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Finances & Money Values
- Family Planning & Children
- Careers & Life Goals
- Family of Origin & In-Law Boundaries
- Roles & Household Expectations
- Intimacy & Connection
- Shared Values & Commitment
- Decision-Making as a Team
- Relationship Assessments (Gottman / PREPARE-ENRICH)
Questions
FAQs about premarital counseling
01How long does premarital counseling last?
It depends on how far you want to go. We offer three packages — Blueprint (3 sessions), Framework (5), and Masterplan (7) — and we'll help you choose the right fit on your consultation. Most couples meet weekly or every other week in the lead-up to the wedding, and we'll build a plan that meets your goals, budget, and schedule.
02Is premarital counseling confidential?
Yes. All premarital counseling sessions are confidential, with a few legal exceptions. These include situations involving suspected child or elder abuse, threats of harm to self or others, or court-mandated disclosures.
03Do you accept insurance for premarital counseling?
We do not accept insurance for premarital counseling. All sessions are self-pay. However, HSA and FSA accounts may be used, and we can provide superbills if your insurance provider offers reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services.
04Should both partners attend all premarital counseling sessions?
Yes, whenever possible. Having both partners present helps ensure that conversations are balanced, collaborative, and solution-focused. In some cases, individual sessions may be recommended to explore personal topics or concerns.
05Is online premarital counseling effective?
Yes, online counseling is just as effective as in-person sessions. Many couples appreciate the flexibility and comfort of meeting virtually, especially when juggling busy schedules.
06What if one partner is unsure about premarital counseling?
It's normal for one partner to feel hesitant. Counseling is a safe space to explore concerns, clarify expectations, and openly discuss fears. Often, attending a session or two helps both partners feel more comfortable and invested in the process.
07Can premarital counseling help prevent future relationship issues?
Yes, absolutely! Premarital counseling helps you identify potential challenges before they escalate while also strengthening your relationship skills. By addressing issues early and directly, you set the stage for a healthier, more resilient marriage.
08Do you offer flexible scheduling for premarital counseling?
Yes. We offer a range of scheduling options, including evening and select weekend appointments, to accommodate your availability—especially important during the busy pre-wedding season or for couples with demanding work schedules.
09Do you serve clients outside Lakewood?
Yes! We welcome clients from across the Denver metro area, including Denver, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and surrounding communities.
The wedding's handled. Let's get the marriage ready.
Book a consultation. We'll talk through what you're building, where you want to get to, and whether we're the right fit to help you get there. Same-week appointments available.
Book a consultationLakewood, CO · 10 minutes from downtown Denver
Visit us
Premarital counseling in Lakewood & across the greater Denver metro
Conveniently located in Lakewood, just 10 minutes from downtown Denver. We work with engaged and seriously committed couples across Denver, Golden, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and surrounding communities — in person, virtually, or hybrid.
Althought Therapy
575 Union Blvd, Suite 210
Lakewood, CO 80228
720-984-1219