Pre-Marital Counseling in Chicago, Illinois
Pre-Marital Counseling
Planning a wedding is exciting.
Planning a life together is where things get real.
Pre-Marital Counseling That Goes Beyond the Basics
Pre-marital counseling at Hearten Therapy is not about surface-level advice or checking boxes. It is about building a relationship that can grow with you and hold steady through hard seasons.
Whether you are newly engaged or seriously committed, this work gives you space to lay a strong, intentional foundation for the future you are building together.
We help couples talk through the things that matter most before they quietly turn into stress or disconnection later on:
Communication. Listen with empathy, speak clearly, and repair when things get messy.
Conflict. Understand your patterns and learn tools for healthier resolution.
Money. Navigate budgeting, spending, and shared goals with less tension.
Roles. Clarify what partnership looks like at home, at work, and beyond.
Sex and intimacy. Talk openly about connection, needs, and boundaries.
Family. Explore how your upbringing shapes expectations and reactions.
Spirituality. Align or thoughtfully navigate differences in beliefs and values.
Lifestyle. Check in on rest, routines, and how you want to live together.
Values. Identify what matters most and how to stay grounded in it as a couple.
These are not just topics to cover. They are entry points into deeper understanding of yourselves, your relationship, and the life you are choosing together.
A Blend of Structure and Flexibility
Our pre-marital work combines evidence-based structure with relational depth. Always tailored to you.
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Prepare/Enrich Assessment
This trusted assessment offers insight into your strengths and growth areas as a couple. Each partner completes an online questionnaire, and we walk through the results together in session.
The goal is not judgment. It is clarity, meaningful conversation, and shared understanding around the topics that shape long-term partnership.
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Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level II)
Our therapists are trained in this research-backed approach to couples work. You will learn practical strategies for emotional safety, managing conflict, and staying connected through life’s inevitable transitions.
This work integrates seamlessly with Couples Therapy and supports long-term relationship resilience.
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Relational Therapy
We go beyond tools and tips. Our approach explores emotional patterns, attachment styles, and personal histories so you can build not just a happy relationship, but a secure one.
This foundation supports future Relationship Therapy if challenges arise later on.
Navigating Wedding Planning Together
Many couples expect wedding planning to feel joyful and creative. Sometimes it is. Often, it is also one of the most stressful seasons couples experience.
It is usually the first major project you take on together, filled with strong emotions, financial decisions, and outside opinions.
Pre-marital counseling offers support when planning does not match the dream.
We help couples work through common tension points such as differing expectations, family involvement, and decision gridlock around guest lists, locations, or scale. These disagreements are rarely just logistical. They often reflect deeper hopes, values, and emotional needs.
We do not make decisions for you. We help you talk about them with more clarity and connection.
This includes skills such as:
Reflective listening
Exploring the meaning behind each partner’s preferences
Practicing open communication and mutual compromise
These skills do more than ease wedding stress. They shape how you will navigate major decisions throughout your marriage.
A Format That Fits You
There is no single right way to prepare for lifelong partnership.
Some couples prefer a clear roadmap, often an 8 to 12 session structure using Prepare/Enrich and Gottman-informed tools to move through core topics intentionally. Others want more room to slow down and explore what is coming up emotionally as commitment becomes real.
At Hearten Therapy, we help you choose the format that fits your relationship, your goals, and how you want to grow together.
All sessions are:
Virtual and led by licensed relational therapists
Available to couples across Illinois
Fully welcoming of LGBTQIA+, intercultural, and interfaith couples
Grounded in emotional safety, mutual respect, and honest conversation
How Pre-Marital Counseling Helps
Pre-marital counseling supports couples who want to begin marriage with intention rather than assumption.
This work helps you:
Strengthen communication before conflict escalates
Understand emotional and relational patterns early
Navigate differences with respect and curiosity
Build shared language for repair and reconnection
Feel more confident in the commitment you are making
This foundation supports future Couples Therapy if life brings unexpected challenges.
Meet Our Therapists
You do not have to figure this out alone or rely on guesswork as you step into commitment.
Our therapists specialize in relational work and help couples prepare for marriage with clarity, depth, and care.
Learn more about our approach and clinicians on the Meet Our Therapists page.
Let’s talk about what support could look like for your relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Many couples begin pre-marital counseling while seriously committed, before engagement or as wedding planning begins.
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Most couples complete between 8 and 12 sessions, though the format can be adjusted based on your needs and preferences.
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It can be, depending on your preferences. We support couples across all belief systems, including faith-based, interfaith, and secular relationships, and shape conversations around what matters most to you.
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Yes. Many couples seek counseling specifically to navigate wedding planning stress, family dynamics, and major decisions with more clarity.
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Yes. We provide virtual pre-marital counseling for couples throughout Illinois.