Begin Your Marriage with Clarity, Confidence, and a Strong Foundation
You have been in a relationship for a while. Now you are thinking about taking the next step. Or perhaps you are already engaged and have set a wedding date.
You are excited, but you also want to be sure you are beginning your marriage with a strong foundation for a happy life together. You know marriage is sacred. You also know it requires preparation. You do not want to simply hope things work out. You want to build intentionally.
If this sounds familiar, premarital counseling can help.
At Faith and Family Empowerment, we provide faith based premarital counseling in Atlanta to help Christian couples prepare intentionally for marriage, not just the wedding day.
Our Premarital Counseling Team
Premarital counseling at Faith and Family Empowerment is primarily provided by Rashad Morgan, LMSW, with additional support available from William Hemphill, LPC, when appropriate.
This allows us to match couples with the right level of structure, pastoral integration, and clinical depth based on their unique needs.
Most engaged couples begin with Rashad. When more complex relational history or trauma informed support is needed, William may also become involved.
Rashad Morgan, LMSW
Primary Premarital Counselor
Rashad offers a structured, practical, and faith centered approach to help Christian couples build a lasting and purposeful marriage.
Over the course of seven to twelve sessions, couples move through meaningful conversations that strengthen communication, deepen emotional connection, and clarify expectations before the wedding day.
His goal is to help you enter marriage spiritually aligned, emotionally secure, and equipped with tools for real life challenges.
William Hemphill, LPC
Available for Specialized Premarital Support
William provides premarital counseling on a limited basis for couples who may need trauma informed perspective, preparation for second marriages, blended family guidance, deeper pastoral integration, or support with complex relational histories.
As a licensed professional counselor and ordained minister with more than a decade of pastoral experience, William brings both theological understanding and clinical expertise when couples require additional depth.
What to Expect in Premarital Counseling
Premarital counseling is a chance to slow down and intentionally prepare for a strong and lasting marriage.
It creates space to learn more about each other as individuals, understand the experiences that shaped you, clarify your values and expectations, strengthen emotional intimacy, and develop practical relationship tools.
Every relationship has a unique story. This process helps you build on that foundation with intention.
Core Areas We Cover
Building Rapport and Learning Your Story
We begin by getting to know you as individuals and as a couple. We explore how you met, what drew you together, what you love most about your relationship, your family history, and your specific goals for premarital counseling.
This stage builds trust and clarity before deeper conversations begin.
Exploring Identity, Love Languages, and Emotional Needs
Marriage involves two distinct individuals becoming one covenant partnership.
We explore who you are individually, experiences that shaped your identity, your primary love languages, your top emotional needs, and what makes you feel valued and secure.
Understanding emotional needs now prevents emotional distance later.
Conflict Patterns and Healthy Communication
Every couple has patterns, some healthy and some reactive.
You will learn how to identify common triggers, approach disagreements constructively, manage conflict in a healthy and biblically grounded way, regulate emotions during tense moments, practice deep listening, and repair after misunderstandings.
Conflict is not the problem. Unhealthy conflict is.
Blending Lives and Exploring the Past
Your upbringing, past relationships, or unresolved wounds can shape how you love and trust.
Premarital counseling creates space to share openly, identify fear based reactions, support healing, and build emotional safety.
We also address practical areas such as finances, routines, household responsibilities, career expectations, and decision making styles.
Clarity now prevents resentment later.
Merging Values and Traditions
Especially for Christian couples, faith and tradition matter deeply.
We explore faith practices, church involvement, holiday traditions, family boundaries, and how to respect differences while building shared meaning.
Marriage thrives when unity is intentional.
Affection, Sex, and Intimacy
Intimacy includes both emotional and physical connection.
We discuss God’s design for intimacy, emotional vulnerability, healthy boundaries, honest conversations about expectations, and addressing past experiences with care.
Marriage flourishes when intimacy is nurtured intentionally.
Creating a Vision for Your Marriage
Healthy marriages share direction.
We explore dreams and long term goals, shared calling or purpose, career ambitions, family planning, and lifestyle expectations.
You clarify not only who you are, but where you are going together.
What to Do When You Feel Disconnected
Even strong couples experience distance at times.
You will learn how to recognize early signs of drifting apart, restore emotional closeness, rebuild trust, practice grace and forgiveness, cultivate spiritual intimacy, and set healthy boundaries.
Premarital counseling prepares you for real life seasons, not just the honeymoon.
Tailored Sessions When Needed
Some couples require additional sessions to address unique dynamics. These may include blended families, managing in laws, healing from past relationships, accountability structures, real life conflict scenarios, or ministry and leadership dynamics.
Each couple’s journey is personalized.
Biblical Foundations for Christian Couples
As a faith based practice, Scripture anchors the premarital process.
We often reflect on Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:21 to 33, Ephesians 5:25, and 1 Corinthians 13:4 to 7.
These scriptures provide grounding and guidance for a covenant centered marriage.
Investment
Rashad Morgan, LMSW: $150 per 50 minute session
William Hemphill, LPC: $210 per 50 minute session
Private pay only. Insurance is not accepted.
In person sessions are available in Decatur, Georgia. Virtual sessions are available throughout Georgia & Florida. Availability varies by clinician.
We recommend beginning at least four to six months before your wedding when possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should we schedule with?
Most engaged couples begin with Rashad. If your relationship includes more complex dynamics or trauma history, we may recommend William.
How many sessions will we need?
Most couples complete between seven and twelve sessions depending on their timeline and goals.
Do you accept insurance?
No. Faith and Family Empowerment is a private pay practice.
Can we meet virtually?
Yes. Virtual sessions are available throughout Georgia.
What if we discover concerns during counseling?
Premarital counseling provides a safe space to address concerns constructively. Identifying and working through issues now strengthens your foundation before marriage.
Begin Premarital Counseling in Atlanta, GA
You do not have to enter marriage with uncertainty.
Premarital counseling helps you discover your strengths, address potential challenges, build deeper intimacy, align your values, and prepare intentionally.
If you are ready to begin your marriage in a strong and healthy way, schedule your premarital consultation today.