Florida Premarital Preparation Online Video Course

Florida Premarital Preparation Course Statute

After the wedding is over, the marriage begins and keeping it going can be hard work. Florida recognizes the challenges that married couples face and want to support the success of these relationships. For this reason, the Florida Premarital Preparation Course Statute was created and couples who complete this special course not only have a better foundation for their marriage but also receive a reduction in the marriage fee by $25.00.

Course Topics

The goal of the course is to provide couples with the tools needed for a successful partnership and marriage and primary topics include:

• Conflict management.
• Communication skills.
• Financial responsibilities.
• Children and parenting responsibilities.
• Review of information about the challenges faced by married couples who have sought marital or individual counseling.

You must take a course with a minimum of four hours of instruction to qualify for the benefits under this statute.

Course Options

Recognizing that adults have demanding schedules and so there are many options available to take and complete this course. These options include:

• Direct personal instruction;
• Videotape instruction;
• Instruction via other electronic medium; or
• A combination of these methods.

Couples can also choose to take these courses together or individually, as best meets their needs. Each person must complete the course and receive a certificate of completion from the instructor.

Instructor Options

There are several qualified instructors who can provide this course, but they must be registered with a judicial circuit (county courthouse) for their program to qualify under this statute. Instructors can included:

• Licensed Psychologists
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• Trained Representatives of Religious Institutions
• Other Providers Designated by a Judicial Circuit, such as a school counselor.

Finding an Instructor

Every judicial circuit maintains a roster of qualified instructors. This information includes:

• Type of course, such as video, in person, etc.
• Cost of the course.
• Whether the provider offers the course for free or on a sliding scale.

Course Completion

When a couple has completed the course, each one will receive a certificate of completion that states:

• Their Name
• Date of Completion
• Course Structure, i.e. video, electronic, in person or combination.

When both parties have completed the course, they qualify for the $25.00 reduction in the state marriage fee.

• Learn how to be more intimate and potentially improve your sex life.
• Decrease your chance of divorce and conflict.
• Learn how to improve your compatibility and communication together.
• Learn how to resolve arguments, conflicts, and disagreements.
• Learn about your future spouse’s dreams, desires, and goals.
• Learn more about your personality and your future spouse’s personality.
• Learn how to resolve financial matters and learn how to better budget.
• Learn even more about yourself and your future spouse and about marriage!

Board Certified Clinical Psychologist,
a distinction held by only five percent of psychologists nationally.

Dr. D’Arienzo earned his undergraduate degrees from Furman University and the University of North Florida, his master’s and doctorate from Nova Southeastern University, as well as his psychology internship and residency at the Pensacola Naval Hospital and the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center.

He started his career as a licensed psychologist in the US Navy, serving in such capacities as Director of Psychological Services, Joint Medical Group/Joint Task Force, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Director of Psychological Services and the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program, USS KITTY HAWK Carrier Strike of the Pacific Fleet; and Department Head of the Behavioral Health Clinic, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Pensacola, Florida.

In 2008, he left the Navy and started D’Arienzo Psychological Group. He is a clinical and forensic psychologist with expertise in parenting coordination, family mediation, independent psychological evaluations, social investigations, parental fitness exams, and reunification treatment. He is authorized to testify as an expert witness in civil and criminal proceedings in state (Florida and Tennessee), federal, and military courts.