Pre-marital Counseling

Planning a wedding is exciting.

But planning a life together? That’s where things get real.

Pre-Marital Counseling That Goes Beyond the Basics

Pre-marital counseling at Hearten Therapy isn’t about feel-good advice—it’s about building a relationship that can grow with you and hold steady through the hard stuff. Whether you’re newly engaged or seriously committed, this is your chance to lay a strong foundation for the future.

We’ll help you talk through the things that matter most—before they become sources of stress later on:

  • Communication: Listen with empathy, speak clearly, and repair when things get messy.

  • Conflict: Understand your patterns and learn tools for healthy resolution.

  • Money: Navigate budgeting, spending, and shared goals with less tension.

  • Roles: Clarify what partnership looks like at home, at work, and beyond.

  • Sex + Intimacy: Talk openly about connection, needs, and boundaries.

  • Family: Explore how your upbringing shapes your view of relationships.

  • Spirituality: Align—or talk through differences—in beliefs and values.

  • Lifestyle: Check in on how you spend time, recharge, and plan for the future.

  • Values: Identify what matters most and how to stay grounded in it together.

These aren’t just boxes to check. They’re doorways into a deeper understanding of yourself, your partner, and the life you want to build together.

A blend of structure and flexibility. Always tailored to you.

  • Prepare/Enrich Assessment

    This trusted tool gives insight into your strengths and growth areas as a couple. You’ll each take an online assessment, and we’ll walk you through the results—sparking meaningful dialogue about the topics above in a clear, nonjudgmental way.

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level II)

    Our therapists are trained in this gold-standard approach to couples work. We’ll teach you evidence-based strategies for emotional safety, managing conflict, and staying connected through life’s inevitable shifts.

  • Relational Therapy

    We go beyond surface-level tips. Our work is grounded in understanding your emotional patterns, attachment styles, and personal histories so you can build not just a happy relationship—but a secure one.

Navigating Wedding Planning Together

Most couples imagine wedding planning will be a joyful, creative season—and sometimes it is. But for many, it also becomes one of the most stressful experiences they’ve had as a couple. It’s often the first big project you’re taking on together, and it brings high stakes, strong emotions, and plenty of outside opinions.

Pre-marital counseling can offer support when the reality of planning doesn’t quite match the dream.

We create space to work through the tension points that naturally come up during this time—like navigating different expectations, managing family input, or feeling stuck around major decisions. Many couples find themselves in gridlock over things like the location, guest list, or size of the wedding. These aren’t just logistical disagreements—they’re often rooted in deeper hopes, values, and emotional needs.

We won’t make the decisions for you, but we will help you learn to talk about them in a way that brings more clarity and connection. That includes skills like:

  • Reflective listening

  • Exploring the “why” behind each partner’s preferences

  • Practicing open communication and mutual compromise

These tools not only make wedding planning smoother—they lay the groundwork for how you’ll move through big decisions together in the future.

A Format That Fits You

There’s no one right way to prepare for a lifelong partnership. Some couples prefer a clear roadmap—an 8–12 session structure using Prepare/Enrich and Gottman-informed tools to walk through the core topics. Others want more space to slow down, reflect, and explore what’s coming up emotionally or relationally as they move toward commitment.

At Hearten Therapy, we’ll help you choose the format that fits you best—based on your needs, your relationship, and how you want to grow together.

  • All sessions are virtual and led by licensed relational therapists

  • Serving couples across Illinois

  • LGBTQIA+, intercultural, and interfaith couples are fully welcome and supported

  • Emotional safety, mutual respect, and real conversation are at the heart of our work

Whether you're planning a wedding, building a foundation, or simply wanting to feel more connected—pre-marital counseling can help you show up for each other with more clarity, care, and confidence.

Let’s talk about what support could look like for your relationship.