Jennifer Chappell Marsh, M.A., LMFT Premarital Counseling Therapist

I work with couples to improve the quality of their lives and build stronger relationships. In my experience working with couples, I have come to observe that most relationships fail for one main reason: They do not know how to truly emotionally connect.  It is my belief that marriages fail (even if both partners love each other) because a negative cycle develops that keeps them from getting their needs met. Resentment, loneliness and heartache follows suit.

I  provide a non-judgmental, down-to-earth approach to help premarital couples build life-long positive marriages. Together, we will identify and improve your relationship growth areas.  My focus is on your primary needs – to feel close, secure and responded to – which are often the causes of most couple’s conflict. Along the way, you’ll become the expert, maintaining  positive change. My goal is that when you walk down the aisle you will have the confidence that you and your partner can and will make it through any of life’s challenges.

It’s important that you feel comfortable with your therapist. For that reason, I’ve included answers to frequently asked and sometimes asked questions. Feel free to contact me directly to discuss anything listed or not listed below.

Q: Why did you become a Therapist?
A: I help people,  it is extremely challenging and it is never, ever boring. It requires me to be 100% at work and I like that. It’s a privilege for me to be a part of bringing people together on a deeper level.

Q: Does being a Marriage Therapist help your own marriage?
A: I shared this question with my husband. He laughed.  Truth is, he probably wishes that I did bring home more of my therapist self at times. A lasting, fulfilling relationship takes work and maybe it’s because I am a therapist that we know the importance of doing the work. Attending our own marriage therapy has helped our marriage.

Q: What is your therapeutic approach?
A: My practice centers around the use of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). EFT is one of two predominant empirically based ways of working with couples.

Q: Why do you not accept insurance?
A: I am not on any managed care provider panels because I am not 100% sure that I agree with their policies. Insurance panels require providers to provide a diagnosis, adhere to rigid timetables and confidentiality can be compromised. I believe in protecting my client’s safety and security in and out of the therapy office. However, I am an Out-Of-Network Provider. This means that if you have Out-Of-Network coverage, I am able to provide a reciept upon request that can be submitted to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Q: What are your fees?
A: My standard fee for Premarriage Counseling is $150 per 50 minute session. Premarital Counseling with one of my Marriage and Family Therapist Interns is $100 per 50 minute session. Reduced rates are available for clients who are experiencing low income, unemployment, disability or student status. Let me know if any of these conditions apply to you and we will discuss an option that is affordable. I do want to get paid for the work I do and make a lot of effort to be at the top of my profession. However, I also do not like finances to get in the way of people not getting quality support.

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: Payment is accepted via cash, check, credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex).

Q: How long will it take for us to see results?
A: You will see results pretty quickly in session. Most clients report experiencing change outside of session within 3-6 counseling sessions. It also depends on your personal commitment, ability to be open and the “depth” of issues requiring support. Premarital couples typically engage in 4-6 counseling sessions to prepare for marriage.

Q: What do you specialize in?
A: My practice centers around Couples Counseling and Individual Therapy. In both cases, my focus is on helping people build strong, healthy connections with the people that matter most.