Well one of my friend recently had one, they basically evaluate the personality, talk about the strength and weaknesses in both. They talk about conflict resolution, fianance matters, culture, religion, hobbies, passions, etc. They don't really talk about past relationships. They do talk about what kind of expectations both partners have from each other, they discuss them how they both feel about what the other person is expecting from them, etc.
Lusi - all of the things you mentioned really helps understand each other, and know the expectations from each other ahead of time. It puts perspective on how the couple might want to lead their lives together. This is all great... but this is all only on "rough paper", it is something that can be easily thrown out after marriage because one cannot and will not live by the "pre-marriage counseling" out lines and expectations.
After all, to be home means to take your shoes off and be comfortable.
How can a person be "comfortable" living a "formal dictated" life. Only once you get in your shoes, you show your own true colors. Be it good or bad.
So although I am for counseling (because it helps discuss/communicate), I still don't think personally my marriage would have lasted even for 15 days if we had discussed everything and kept an "expectation" from each other, because if I am East then he is West. We are that different in our hobbies, passion, financial matters, etc. If we had any counseling done - then I don't think we would have even married.
We find balance in our relationship and 95% of the time we are very happy and content. The remaining 5% of difference is what keeps us going from day to day - and look forward to what the new day might bring.
lol - I think even now if we attended any counseling session we would immediately be directed to separate - we are that different in our hobbies, time pass thinking, and all... but there is no way I could be separated because I have found my dude to be just fine! :)