Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts: Start Your Journey as a Couple
Amid the excitement of planning a wedding, it’s easy to get caught up in details like venues, guest lists, and travel plans—while overlooking the most important part of it all: your relationship. Premarital counseling is one of the most meaningful investments you can make in your future together. In this post, Lizzie Oekerman, LPC-Associate (supervised by Kerry Williamson, MA, LPC-S, LMFT-S, CST), introduces SYMBIS (Save Your Marriage Before It Starts), an evidence-based framework that helps couples build a stronger foundation of connection, communication, and shared vision for the years ahead.
Congratulations—you’re engaged! After saying “yes” to a proposal, the to-do list often begins to write itself: picking a date, making the guest list, booking a venue, shopping for a dress or suit, and planning the honeymoon. In the middle of such an exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) season, it’s easy to overlook something that can make a lasting difference for your future: premarital counseling.
That’s where SYMBIS (Save Your Marriage Before It Starts) comes in.
That’s where SYMBIS (Save Your Marriage Before It Starts) comes in.
What is SYMBIS?
SYMBIS is an evidence-based roadmap created by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott to help couples navigate the most meaningful aspects of their relationship. Topics include finances, communication, intimacy, and conflict dynamics.
Just like your relationship, SYMBIS is unique. It adapts whether you’re dating long-term, newly engaged, or already married. It meets you where you are and honors your background, your goals, and your hopes for the future.
Just like your relationship, SYMBIS is unique. It adapts whether you’re dating long-term, newly engaged, or already married. It meets you where you are and honors your background, your goals, and your hopes for the future.
What to Expect
As a SYMBIS certified facilitator, I provide couples with an online portal to begin the assessment. Each partner answers a set of questions individually (it takes about 30 minutes). Once complete, I receive a detailed report highlighting patterns, strengths, and potential challenges.
SYMBIS in Session
The heart of SYMBIS happens in the counseling room. Together, we walk through the results and explore key areas such as:
These conversations aren’t about labeling or diagnosing. Instead, they open the door for deeper connection. Using the report as a guide, we’ll use exercises, prompts, and honest dialogue to strengthen your relationship and build a shared vision for your future.
Depending on your needs, SYMBIS can be a focused 3–8 session process or a more in-depth series spread over 10+ sessions.
- Mindset toward marriage
- Personal and emotional well-being
- Contextual strengths or stress (finances, family-of-origin, support systems)
- Relational dynamics (communication, intimacy, conflict styles, spiritual alignment, and more)
These conversations aren’t about labeling or diagnosing. Instead, they open the door for deeper connection. Using the report as a guide, we’ll use exercises, prompts, and honest dialogue to strengthen your relationship and build a shared vision for your future.
Depending on your needs, SYMBIS can be a focused 3–8 session process or a more in-depth series spread over 10+ sessions.
Why SYMBIS Matters
By the end of the process, couples often describe SYMBIS as having given them:
SYMBIS doesn’t hand you “answers.” Instead, it builds a foundation of insight, curiosity, and compassion that will serve your marriage for years to come.
- A clearer understanding of themselves and their partner
- A shared language and tools for navigating tough topics
- A roadmap grounded in empathy and mutual understanding
Preparing for a Lifelong Love
Starting SYMBIS is like having a conversation with your future. It’s curious, intentional, and full of possibility. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being prepared.
If you’re engaged (or considering marriage) and want to invest in a relationship that lasts, I’d love to walk with you through SYMBIS. I offer premarital counseling for couples at our North Austin and Georgetown locations. Together, we can help lay a path toward depth, connection, and a lifelong love.
If you’re engaged (or considering marriage) and want to invest in a relationship that lasts, I’d love to walk with you through SYMBIS. I offer premarital counseling for couples at our North Austin and Georgetown locations. Together, we can help lay a path toward depth, connection, and a lifelong love.
Lizzie works with older children (age 10 and up), teens, adults, and couples as they navigate anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, addiction, and life transitions. She incorporates creativity and expressive arts into her work and is especially passionate about supporting clients through identity development, relational struggles, and seasons of change. If you would like to meet with Lizzie or another ALCS counselor, please contact our office.
Posted in Blogs by Lizzie