Professional Website of
Dr. Bradford L. Woo

Premarital Counseling

Couples do many things as they prepare for their Wedding, but only 1 in 5 do anything to seriously prepare for the years of marriage ahead. Premarital Counseling is a short-term, structured opportunity for couples to study their relationship with a licensed professional and to learn exactly what it takes to make their marriage successful.

There has been much excellent scientific research in the past 20 years on why marriages succeed or fail, and these findings are now available to everyone. This Premarital Counseling program is based on the work of the three most respected marriage researchers in the U.S. - Dr. John Gottman at the Seattle Family Research Center at the University of Washington, Dr. Judith Wallerstein at the Center for Transitions in California, and Dr. David Olson at the University of Minnesota. All of the materials and resources used in this program spring from their work.

What does this Program involve?

Couples meet privately with Dr. Woo over a flexible period of two to three months. All couples begin by individually completing the PREPARE Inventory, a 166-item questionnaire developed by Dr. Olson exclusively for premarital assessment. After a 25-page Report is computer-generated, couples are invited to discuss and explore the results carefully and creatively. Structured couple tasks, practical education and well-researched tools and skills are incorporated into the program, as well as collaborative dialog and honest mutual feedback.

Is this a group program?

No. This program is designed for couples to meet privately and exclusively with Dr. Woo. Parents may at the couple’s discretion be invited to attend one of the sessions devoted to family of origin influences.

Why use the PREPARE Inventory?

PREPARE, which may be administered only by authorized providers, has been used with over one million couples around the world since the 1970's. Long-term follow-up studies have established PREPARE’s validity to predict marital happiness. PREPARE is extraordinarily comprehensive in providing feedback on personality styles, marital roles/expectations, communication effectiveness, conflict reactivity, financial and professional issues, and couple leisure, sex, family and spiritual values and concerns.

When Should We Begin?

Couples may begin the Program anytime before their wedding or within six months afterward. Call Dr. Woo for additional information and to schedule a first appointment.

Call for a free consultation
Bradford L. Woo, Psy.D.
1300 Funston Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 681-4957

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Premarital Counseling