Since I have been working as a traveling minister, I have found that most of the couples whose weddings I perform are already in a godly recognized marriage.  Many of them have created a family and built a home together.  And after many years of living without the benefits of a married couple (state recognized); they have decided to take advantage of the benefits afforded to those who have tied the knot.

 

So I have changed the name of this service from premarital counseling to prewedding coaching.  The term premarital counseling will still be reserved for those who do not live in the same household. 

 

My experiences have shown me a genuine need for prewedding coaching in our society.  Therefore, I will offer my services as a trained Prepare/Enrich wedding and marriage coach to married and engaged couples.   If a couple opts not to have premarital coaching, that will be their choice.

 

Fee: (prewedding or marriage coaching)

$125/session (1 hour - 3 hour session)

 

There are 3 sessions (most couples only attend the first one)

-Communication 

-Conflict resolution

-Family goals and financial budgeting

 

I  provide  premarital coaching and marriage coaching only to couples whose weddings I am commissioned to perform or serve spiritually. 

 

If you have a unique situation such as:

-wedding taking place out-of-town,

-family member performing your ceremony locally,

-church does not provide private coaching sessions

 

I will provide premarital coaching at $185/session.

 

Since I am a license minister and not a psychologist, health insurance will not cover my services.  

 

(All fees are subject to change without notice.)

 

 

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Laws of Intent for Marriage

 

I intend to love you totally and completely;

 

I intend to nurture you in times of sorrow, in times of pain, in times of mistrust, and in times of hardship;

 

I intend to enjoy your company now and in the future when the kids are small, and when they are adults and have children of their own;

 

I intend to support your individualism to express yourself as who you are and will grow to become;

 

I intend to forgive you totally and completely, as long as I have time to heal and let go of any pain;

 

I intend to make the necessary compromises to make our marriage work.

 

I intend not to be tolerant of any physical or verbal abuse no matter what is happening in your life.

 

These laws are not easy to live by, because outside influences and inner strife will always seek to win.  It will be up to you to polish the light of love through determination, understanding, and a self changing attitude.

 

by Rev. Burns

 

Physical or verbal abuse should not be excused, tolerated, or rationalized.  

 

 

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I am, Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns, a Nondenominational - Interfaith minister of Spiritual Science and Christianity.  In addition, I am a trained  Prepare/Enrich coach.  

 

As a minister, I will approach each prewedding and marriage coaching session from that training, as well as, the training I received as a Prepare/Enrich counselor. 

 

The goal of the program is to improve couples relationships by providing them with tools to enrich their communication and conflict resolution skills.   If couples are not willing to use the tools they learn from the program, they will not benefit from it. 

 

Kindly be advised that your insurance plan will not cover my services (prewedding, marriage, or premarital coaching).  And if you are dealing with mental health issues (long term grief, depression, anxiety), or abuse (sexual, mental, physical [past or present]), kindly seek help from a license therapist.  

 

Finally, I do not provide couple counseling or couple coaching.  So kindly do not use my   services to resolve your couple problems even if you plan on getting married one day. 

 

Many couples who cohabite have couple problems (which is a lot like marriage problems), and some of their issues (when children are involved) require the assistance of a family therapist. 

 

If you can identify your relationship problems and concerns accurately, then finding the right help will be easier.  Seeking the help of a licensed therapist or mental health professional is sometime paramount to your health and the survival of your relationship.

 

Rev. Burns

 

 

Click here for directions to my home office.

 

 

Serving

Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia

 

Marriage Survival

Meditation

Rev. Burns