Premarital Counselling in Ottawa
See each other clearly. Build something that holds.
✓ Same-week ✓ Direct billing ✓ Sliding scale ✓ Licensed therapists
Book a free consultationSee each other clearly. Build something that holds.
✓ Same-week ✓ Direct billing ✓ Sliding scale ✓ Licensed therapists
Book a free consultationEvery clinician is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
We want therapy to be financially accessible for everyone. Reduced rates are available case-by-case based on need and availability.
We submit directly to most major insurers, so you don't pay out of pocket upfront.
Our office is in Ottawa. All client records are stored in Canada and handled under PIPEDA and PHIPA.
Therapy is a space to slow down and look at what's underneath. These are some of the patterns people bring into the room.
FOR WHEN SOMETHING FEELS OFF
Finances, children, family boundaries, careers, where you'll live in ten years — some topics haven't come up yet, or feel charged when they do.
One of you wants to talk it through now; the other needs space first. Those differences don't disappear once you're married — they just show up differently.
Not because you're worried — because you're thoughtful. You'd rather build the tools now than need them later.
Premarital counselling at Auren Wellness isn't about testing whether you should get married. It's about helping you understand each other more fully and build a shared language for navigating hard things together.
We draw on attachment-based frameworks and evidence-based tools from EFT and the Gottman Method. We'll look at how each of you handles conflict, what you each bring from your families of origin, what you're expecting from marriage, and where those expectations may differ. We'll help you build communication skills that hold up under pressure — not just the ones that work when things are easy.
Couples who do this work before marriage report stronger communication and a better ability to repair after conflict. For partners who want to understand how early attachment patterns shape their relationship, our page on attachment-based couples therapy goes deeper.
Email, phone, or fill out our booking form. There's no script and no pressure. You can share as much or as little as you want.
A real person, not a bot, will reply as soon as we can with a few options for a free 15-minute consultation.
We listen. You ask questions. No paperwork, no obligation. If we're not the right match, we'll point you toward someone who might be.
Direct billing where possible. Evening and weekend availability. Virtual or in-person in Ottawa.
Sessions are 50 minutes in length. Rates vary by therapist and are confirmed during your free consultation. We accept e-transfer and credit cards, and direct-bill most insurers.
Sliding-scale spots are available based on need. Ask during your free consultation.
Same 50-minute format, structured for two participants and shared concerns.
Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Social Worker services are covered by most extended health plans in Canada. We recommend confirming your specific coverage before your first paid session. Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, and most major insurers include coverage.
We direct-bill where your insurer allows it. Otherwise, you pay at the time of session and submit the receipt for reimbursement.
Every session generates a receipt listing the provider's license number, suitable for insurance reimbursement.
In-person sessions are held at our Ottawa office. Virtual sessions use a secure, PIPEDA-compliant video platform. You can switch between the two.
We ask for 24 hours notice on cancellations. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged the full session fee.
After the free 15-minute consultation, your first paid session is intake-focused. Bring questions, anything you have already tried, and any goals you have in mind.
QUESTIONS
No. You can be considering marriage, engaged, or simply at a point in your relationship where you're thinking about a long-term future together. The timing is up to you.
That's actually one of the most useful things premarital counselling can do — surface real differences before they become chronic conflicts. Finding out you have different expectations about something important is useful information. What you do with it is your decision; our job is to help you have the conversation clearly.
Yes. Virtual premarital counselling works very well. Sessions use a secure, PIPEDA-compliant video platform. It's a good option for couples with different schedules or who live outside Ottawa.
Faith-based premarital programs focus on values, meaning, and commitment within a tradition. Premarital counselling with a registered psychotherapist is clinically focused — it works with communication patterns, conflict resolution, and emotional dynamics. They're different things, and some couples find both useful.
It depends on what you want to cover. Many couples do four to eight sessions and feel well-prepared. Others go deeper into specific areas. We'll give you a realistic sense of what to expect once we understand your goals.
Therapy is a longer-term relationship. If you're in acute distress, please reach the services below first. They are free, confidential, and available right now.
