westhollywoodcouples.com

Premarital Counseling in Los Angeles

Many couples who come to us for premarital work also benefit from our broader couples therapy in Los Angeles services when deeper relationship patterns need attention.

about me

Dr. Harel Papikian

Psychologist, PsyD

Dr. Harel is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Master Practitioner of NLP (Neurolinguistics). He established himself as an expert in the field of couples therapy through 15+ years of clinical work with couples, including LGBTQI+, BIPOC and other culturally and ethnically diverse clients. In his Los Angeles clinic Dr. Harel has developed The ARM Method, a cutting edge directive and structured psychotherapy model to effectively guide couples and individuals toward their full potential, empowerment and growth, helping clients transform their relationships.

about me

Dr. Harel Papikian

Psychologist, PsyD

Dr. Harel Papikian

Why Choose Dr. Harel for Premarital Counseling in Los Angeles?

Transformative  ARM Method for individual and couples therapy

Deep experience with same-sex, intercultural, interracial and transgender couples

Combines evidence based and cutting edge modalities (CBT, NLP, Hypnotherapy) with emotional depth

Insightful, non-judgmental, inclusive, and highly results-oriented approach

Conveniently located in Santa Monica with online video therapy options available

pre-marital counseling los angeles

The ARM Method

Dr. Harel’s Approach to Your Premarital Counseling

Premarital counseling with Dr. Harel is designed to help couples build a strong and lasting foundation before entering marriage. Every relationship brings together two individuals with unique backgrounds, communication styles, values, and expectations. Through thoughtful discussions and guided exercises, couples gain a deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives, needs, and emotional patterns. This process creates a safe and supportive space where both partners can openly explore their hopes for the future while strengthening their connection.

A key part of Dr. Harel’s approach is helping couples improve communication and develop healthy ways to handle disagreements. Many relationship challenges come not from the issues themselves but from how partners communicate about them. During sessions, couples learn practical tools to express their thoughts clearly, listen with empathy, and navigate difficult conversations in a more constructive way.

Using the ARM Method and years of experience working with couples, Dr. Harel also helps partners become more aware of subtle signals such as body language, tone, and emotional responses. These often-overlooked cues can reveal deeper feelings that words alone may not express. By understanding these patterns, couples can develop stronger emotional awareness and respond to each other with greater compassion and understanding.

Premarital counseling is not just about preventing future problems—it’s about building a healthy, resilient relationship from the beginning. By exploring important topics like shared values, expectations, intimacy, finances, and long-term goals, couples leave counseling feeling more confident, prepared, and aligned for the journey of marriage together.

Frequently Asked Questions About Premarital Counseling

The length of premarital counseling naturally varies from couple to couple. For most, dedicating 2 to 4 months of weekly sessions provides a meaningful opportunity to strengthen connection, deepen understanding, and thoughtfully prepare for the journey ahead.

Premarital counseling starts with both partners present, however, as the counseling progresses it may be beneficial to have several individual sessions to work through personal “baggage” to improve the connection and enhance the harmony in the relationship.

Absolutely. You are in charge of your counseling journey and subjects that you bring to the sessions will be the focus of our work together.

Ideally, premarital counseling should begin early in your engagement—once you’ve made the decision to build a life together, but before the pressures of wedding planning fully take over. Starting early allows you the space to thoughtfully explore important topics—communication, values, future goals—without feeling rushed. That said, it’s never too late. Whether you’re a year out or just weeks from your wedding, what matters most is carving out time to invest in your relationship with intention. Think of it as a gift to your future marriage, not just preparation for a wedding day.

Each session is 50 minutes long, offering focused time for meaningful growth and connection. For couples wishing to move more swiftly through the process, extended or twice-weekly sessions are available—providing a flexible, tailored pace to suit your timeline and deepen the work.

Dr. Harel works with his clients via secure and encrypted video-platform. Online therapy allows for convenience and flexibility of scheduling.

Each 50-minute session is $250. For those looking to engage more fully in the process, a 10-session package is available at a reduced rate of $200 per session.

Absolutely. You’re welcome to begin with a single session to get a feel for the process and see if it’s the right fit for you both. Many couples find that even one session offers insight and clarity—and it’s a gentle, low-pressure way to take the first step toward strengthening your relationship.

Book a free consultation with Dr. Harel

Book a free consultation with Dr. Harel