Pre-Marital Counselor & Marriage Preparation
Prepare for a lifetime of love
OUR APPROACH
Do you want to start your marriage off the right way? Have you always wanted to know how to create the relationship that makes you the "go-to" couple in your friend group? Why not prepare for the most exciting adventure of your life and have fun doing it. This process is not only meant to take your relationship to a whole new level, but it also empowers you as individuals and supports you in being your best self.
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With all the uncertainties and unexpected curveballs we face, it is essential for you to have a strong bond and a solid foundation to navigate these challenges. It is during these moments that relationships are tested the most, and many couples give up because they don't have the necessary tools to protect their marriage. Pre-Marital counseling gives you the chance to build on your strengths, discover the areas that need attention, and empowers you to create your own blueprint to support you through your successes, and your challenges. Many couples believe that marriage prep is only for religious couples or couples who haven't been together long. The truth is, with the proper guidance and powerful methods and strategies, every couple benefits from these insights, and it will prove to be one of the smartest investments you can make.
Why Work With Me
My name is Dr. Samora
I am Rev. Dr. Samora Smith, an Interfaith Minister, a Master Spiritual Coach, and Certified Pre-Marital Counselor, and I have been working with engaged couples and families for over 13 years, and in that time, I have facilitated over 3,000 ceremonies. After so many couples struggled through the pandemic and divorce rates were at an all-time high, I realized that many couples would benefit from having support as they are building the foundation. Why wait until you are in crisis to seek support when you can attain the skills to handle or even prevent a crisis? In addition to offering private sessions, I spent the past 5 years preparing a program called "The Marriage Success Blueprint™ Program", an online, self-paced course that provides the tools for building a rock-solid start to the most important relationship of your life.
What does Pre-Marital Counseling Entail?
The first step is for you to take a simple, online relationship assessment (I use SYMBIS) to establish a baseline and look at the key areas of your life. The assessment takes around 30-40 minutes to complete separately and the results are sent to me confidentially. Once I receive your assessment results, I will make a recommendation for the number of sessions and frequency, and then I will contact you to book our first session. The average number of sessions is between 6-10 sessions weekly or bi-weekly, based on your availability and each online session lasts for an hour.
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In your Marriage Prep sessions, we will explore the key areas of your marriage such as Love Languages, Communication, Values, Expectations, Financial Health, Goal Setting, Family Planning, Spirituality, and any other area that may need attention. Each session is customized to your needs and I will make recommendations based on your individual situations. If you are a religious or multi-faith couple, I offer counseling from a spiritual perspective. I am an all-inclusive, non-denominational practitioner offering services to all couples, regardless of religious affiliation, sexual orientation, race, or cultural background. If it turns out that we are not a good match (in some situations a specialized therapist is needed), we can explore other options for you to get the support that is most beneficial.
Where do the sessions take place, and what is the fee?
Currently, I am offering virtual counseling sessions via Zoom. If you are located in the New York City area, I can meet in-person in the Union Square area, and in some cases will arrange to travel to your location for sessions. Each session is scheduled for 1-2 hours and the amount of sessions is determined on a case-by-case basis. The fee for Virtual Sessions is $150 (per hour) and In-Person is $200 (per hour). Additional travel time & costs are added for on-site locations.
The Marriage Success Blueprint™
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Lovesmith Academy
For those of you who wish to go a more independent route, Dr. Samora has designed a 10-module Course called The Marriage Success Blueprint™ program which is a self-paced and inclusive approach that can be completed anytime, in the comfort of your own home. The program fee is $497 (less than $50 per module) and includes a free 12-month membership to Lovesmith Academy (see details below) for ongoing support. In The Marriage Success Blueprint™ program, each module contains a short video where Dr. Samora discusses each topic in detail and is accompanied by simple workbook exercises for you to complete. In addition, there are two bonus modules included to support interfaith unions or LGBTQ+ couples.
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For additional support and ongoing feedback, I have also created an online community and yearly membership (first year free with course completion) called Lovesmith Academy. Each month features an expert in the key areas which influence the success of your relationship, such as Purchasing your first home, Estate Planning, Family Planning, LGBTQ+ issues, etc. along with weekly live Q&A sessions with Rev. Dr. Samora. The monthly membership fee, without the course, is $27.
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In Spring 2024, we will be offering a week-long retreat in Italy and live group workshops (location TBD).