Getting engaged comes with excitement—and often, the question of whether premarital counseling is worth your money. The PREPARE/ENRICH assessment is one of the most widely used tools in premarital counseling, but understanding what you'll actually pay for it helps you budget wisibly and choose the right counselor for your situation.
What Is PREPARE/ENRICH, and Why Couples Use It
PREPARE/ENRICH is a research-backed assessment tool designed to identify strengths and growth areas in a relationship before marriage. Couples answer 165 questions (in the standard PREPARE version) or 185 questions (in ENRICH, for couples already living together or remarrying), covering topics like communication styles, conflict resolution, family background, finances, intimacy, and future expectations.
A certified PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator—typically a marriage counselor, therapist, or clergy member—administers the assessment, then reviews the results with you in a structured counseling session. Rather than generic advice, you get personalized feedback based on your couple profile.
What You'll Pay for PREPARE/ENRICH
Assessment fee alone: $30–$60 per couple. This is the cost of the actual PREPARE/ENRICH questionnaire and initial scoring, usually handled by the counselor's office.
Facilitation and counseling session: $75–$200 per session. This is where most of your expense sits. A licensed therapist or counselor administers the assessment, walks you through results, and helps you apply insights to your relationship. Sessions typically last 60–90 minutes.
Full premarital counseling package: $300–$1,500 total. Many premarital counselors bundle PREPARE/ENRICH into a multi-session package (usually 4–6 sessions), which may cost less per session than booking à la carte.
Denomination-specific offerings: $0–$200. Some churches, mosques, synagogues, and religious organizations offer PREPARE/ENRICH as a free or low-cost requirement or optional add-on for couples getting married within their community.
Factors That Affect Your Cost
Counselor credentials. A licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) or psychologist typically charges $100–$200 per session. A life coach or lay marriage mentor trained in PREPARE/ENRICH may charge $50–$100. Certified pastoral counselors fall somewhere in between.
Your location. Urban areas and major metropolitan regions see higher rates—$150–$250 per session is common in coastal cities. Rural areas may run $60–$120 per session.
Depth of follow-up. Some counselors use PREPARE/ENRICH as a one-off diagnostic tool (one session reviewing results), while others weave it into ongoing premarital counseling where you apply the findings over multiple weeks.
Insurance coverage. Most health insurance plans do not cover premarital counseling, since it's classified as preventive rather than treatment-based. However, some PPO plans may partially cover sessions with a licensed mental health provider. Always verify with your insurer before committing.
What to Expect in Your Session
After completing the questionnaire (usually 30–45 minutes online or on paper), your counselor will:
- Review your couple profile, showing areas of strength and predicted growth areas
- Discuss communication patterns you've identified around finances, sex, parenting, and conflict
- Identify specific action items you can practice together before the wedding
- Offer tools and exercises tailored to your unique challenges
Most couples find a single PREPARE/ENRICH review session helpful but incomplete; they then book follow-up sessions to dig deeper into flagged areas like money management or family-of-origin baggage.
How to Find and Compare Counselors Offering PREPARE/ENRICH
Look for facilitators who specifically list PREPARE/ENRICH certification on their profiles—not all marriage counselors are trained administrators. Check websites, call ahead, and ask:
- Are you PREPARE/ENRICH certified?
- What's your full-package price, including assessment and follow-up sessions?
- Do you offer payment plans or sliding scales?
- How many sessions do you typically recommend after the assessment?
Platforms like Mercoly let you compare and find trusted premarital counseling providers in your area, making it easier to vet credentials and pricing upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is PREPARE/ENRICH worth the money compared to a generic premarital counseling course? A: PREPARE/ENRICH is highly personalized and evidence-based, focusing on your specific couple dynamics rather than broad topics. If you want targeted feedback and your counselor has strong follow-up support, the investment usually pays off; generic courses are cheaper but less actionable.
Q: Can I take PREPARE/ENRICH online, and does that cost less? A: Many counselors now offer virtual sessions, which sometimes run 10–20% cheaper than in-person. The assessment itself is the same cost; the savings come from reduced overhead for the counselor's practice.
Q: How long after taking PREPARE/ENRICH should we do counseling sessions? A: Start your facilitation session within 1–2 weeks of completing the questionnaire while responses are fresh. Book follow-up sessions over the next 2–4 months before your wedding to allow time for practicing new communication tools.
Start comparing certified counselors in your area today to find the right fit for your budget and timeline.