Jared Ruddy — Premarital Counselor & PREPARE/ENRICH® Facilitator

Meet Jared

I'm Jared Ruddy, a Christian counselor and certified PREPARE/ENRICH® facilitator. I work with engaged and seriously dating couples who want to prepare for the marriage they'll actually live, not just the wedding they're planning.

My path to this work began in pastoral ministry. For more than a decade, I walked alongside couples at every stage of their relationships. I met with couples preparing for marriage, couples struggling through conflict, and couples working to rebuild trust after years of hurt. Those experiences convinced me that many of the conversations that become painful after the wedding are much easier to have before it.

That conviction led me back to school to pursue a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy so I could better equip couples with both biblical wisdom and evidence-informed relationship education. Today, I combine more than a decade of pastoral ministry with the trusted PREPARE/ENRICH® assessment to help couples prepare for a healthy, lasting marriage.

My goal isn't simply to help you prepare for your wedding. It's to help you build a healthy, lasting marriage through practical tools, honest conversations, and a foundation that will serve you for years to come.

My Counseling Approach

When my wife and I were dating, we were in a long distance relationship for our entire dating relationship until we got married. Like many Christian couples, we went through premarital counseling because we believed it was an important step.

I'm grateful we did, but when it was over, it felt like we had completed a requirement more than prepared for marriage. We had talked through the right topics, but we left without practical tools we could keep using, a clear plan for continued growth, or meaningful support once the sessions ended.

I've never forgotten that experience. It's one of the reasons I care so deeply about helping engaged couples prepare for marriage in a way that's practical, personal, and lasting.

That's why I don't start with a generic curriculum. I start by getting to know the two of you. The PREPARE/ENRICH® assessment helps us identify the specific strengths you can build on and the areas that deserve more attention, so we're spending our time on the conversations that matter most for your relationship.

My goal isn't to help you make it through five counseling sessions. It's to help you leave with a better understanding of each other, practical tools you'll continue using after your wedding day, and greater confidence as you begin your marriage together. I want you to feel genuinely prepared for the marriage you'll live every day, not just the wedding you're planning.

Areas I Help With

Communication & Conflict

Understanding the patterns underneath your disagreements and learning to repair well.

Finances & Stewardship

Aligning how you manage money, set goals, and make decisions as a team.

Family & In-Laws

Navigating relationships with family and building healthy boundaries together.

Intimacy & Oneness

Growing in emotional, spiritual, and physical closeness as a married couple.

Spiritual Alignment

Exploring shared faith, values, and what a Christ-centered marriage means for you.

Blended Families

Preparing for second marriages and integrating family dynamics with care.

Education & Training

MA Theology

Graduate theological education grounding his counseling in a biblical framework.

MFT Graduate Student

Advanced graduate training in marriage and family therapy.

PREPARE/ENRICH® Certified Facilitator

Trained to guide couples through the PREPARE/ENRICH® assessment.

10+ Years Pastoral Ministry

Over a decade walking with couples through marriage and family life.

What Sessions Are Like

1

Free Consultation

We meet briefly to understand your story, answer questions, and see if we're a good fit.

2

PREPARE/ENRICH® Assessment

Each partner completes the assessment privately. We review your personalized results together.

3

Personalized Sessions

Five guided sessions tailored to your relationship's strengths and growth areas.

4

Real-World Tools

Each session ends with practical next steps you can use between meetings and beyond.

My Values

Biblically Grounded

Counseling rooted in Scripture and a Christian vision of marriage.

Personalized

Every session shaped around your unique relationship and story.

Practical

Real tools and clear next steps you can use right away.

Hopeful

A steady, encouraging presence for the marriage you're building.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if one of us has to miss a session?

How long is each session?

What if we're in different locations?

Are sessions confidential?

Do we need to be members of a church?

A Little More About Me

When I'm not counseling, you'll usually find me reading, spending time with my family, or serving in our local church community.

I care about this work because I've seen what a difference intentional preparation makes. Marriage is one of God's greatest gifts, and helping couples start well is one of the most meaningful things I get to do.

I'd be honored to walk alongside you as you prepare for the marriage you'll live every day.

Ready to prepare with Jared?

Schedule a free consultation to ask questions, share your story, and see if it's a good fit.

Book a Free Consultation