There is no current queer-friendly or widely accepted non-faith based premarital assessment available. As an organization, we utilize Save Your Marraige Before It Starts (SYMBIS) which is a 15 page report that reviews everything from personality, sex, domestic labor divides, conflict resolution, extended family relationships and support systems, communication dynamics,, gender applications, and one short section on faith/religion if applicable to the partnership. It is, to our knowledge, the least faith-based assessment that utilizes appropriate pronouns that we have found.
Our preference is always to take the assessment before even deciding to get engaged or move in with one another. If your relationship is feeling serious, do the work up front! There's no right or wrong time to do this. If you'd like to wait until before the wedding, that is fine, too! You and your partner will receive separate web links to complete the assessment. It will take you each approximately 30 minutes, and then results will be calculated by SC Nealy, LPC, who is currently an approved SYMBIS facilitator.
The assessment costs $35 to the SYMBIS website per couple to initially take it. After that, you'll meet with SC Nealy, LPC virtually or in person in Arlington, VA in 90-minute to 2 hour sessions to review the results. Generally, reviewing the results can be done in a single 2 hour session, but can take up to 4 sessions. If further couples counseling is needed after that, we can switch to 1 hour couples counseling.
Current costs for a 2 hour session is $500 due at the time of the session, or $250/hr for as many hours as it takes to review. Call your insurance in advance and ask about CPT code 90847 (couples counseling) to see what the reimbursement rate will be as we can provide you with a superbill afterwards. Limited sliding scale options are available.
Email snealy@lgbtcounselingdmv.com to set it up today.