Catholic Marriage Preparation

In Catholic circles, marriage counselling often begins when a couple is already in crisis. One partner may have consulted a divorce lawyer or signed a separation agreement. The approach necessarily tends to be reactive rather than proactive.

It doesn’t have to be this way. At the CURA Centre for Flourishing, we believe that couples can start investing in their marriage before the wedding day.

(Pre) Marital Counselling

Preparing for a Lifetime of Love

This is not just a box to check before the wedding. It’s an intentional time to build the habits and communication skills that sustain a marriage for life.

As Catholic therapists, we approach marriage as both a vocational call and a psychological partnership. We explore the practical realities of married life—communication, finances, family of origin, sexuality, and spirituality—through faith-informed, evidence-based processes.

Before we began offering pre-marital counselling, we facilitated a church-based marriage preparation program for several years. The advantage of a church-based program is that couples can get plugged into the local parish community. Unfortunately, however, this opportunity is rarely capitalized on. For couples who are already engaged in their parish, committed to their faith, and looking for a robust marriage preparation, taking classes in the church basement with couples who are already living together leaves them searching for more.

Advantages of (Catholic) Therapist-Led Marriage Preparation

• Follow-up after the wedding for ongoing support
• Professional integration of clinical insight for couples and individuals who need it
• Customised guidance based on personalities, temperaments, traumas, and backgrounds
• Faith-centred perspective rooted in the Sacramental nature of marriage

Therapeutic Marriage Preparation — Faith Meets Psychology

A therapeutic approach to marriage preparation bridges Catholic theology and modern psychological science. This isn’t about lecturing or abstract theory—it’s about equipping you with the tools you’ll actually use to navigate real-life marriage. We will explore topics like:

• Communication and conflict resolution
• Sexual expectations
• Couple prayer life
• Family systems and boundaries
• Gender roles
• Spiritual leadership

This approach provides a strong foundation for lifelong flourishing—before, during, and after the wedding.

This is not a new thing.

While studying at evangelical seminaries, we discovered that many Christian pastors from various denominations expect engaged couples to participate in pre-marital counselling before their wedding. When challenges arise (and they always do), couples are equipped with psychological tools, relational insight, and a clear path for professional support—allowing them to not just survive, but flourish.

Pre-Cana Online

Accessible Catholic Marriage Preparation

Many parishes offer group marriage prep or pre-cana classes that meet in church basements or parish halls. While these can be meaningful, Online Pre-Cana with a Catholic therapist gives you the best of both worlds:

At the CURA Centre for Flourishing, you’ll experience a therapeutic Pre-Cana program designed for couples who want to enter marriage with strength, clarity, and purpose.

Online Marriage Prep Course with Prepare/Enrich

Saskatchewan’s Only Male Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator

One of the cornerstones of our online marriage prep course is the Prepare/Enrich program—used by over 4 million couples worldwide and trusted by churches, therapists, and clergy across denominations.

As Saskatoon’s only certified therapist and Saskatchewan’s only male certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator, Clark offers a rare combination of faith integration, professional training, and personal understanding that helps couples feel supported and seen.

Already Married?

CURA is here to support you through every stage of your relationship journey. Click here to learn more about our marriage counselling philosophy.