You’re engaged. You’re excited. You love each other. But you’re also wondering: Are we actually ready for this? What if we’re missing something important? What if we end up like the couples who say “we never talked about this before we got married”?
Here’s what I know: The couples who do the hard conversations BEFORE the wedding have stronger, longer-lasting marriages. Not because they’re perfect, but because they know how to navigate the tough stuff.
Premarital counseling isn’t for couples with problems, it’s for couples who want to prevent them. It’s about building communication skills, aligning expectations, and addressing the topics most couples avoid until they become crises: money, sex, in-laws, kids, conflict styles, division of labor.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience, I help engaged couples build the foundation for a strong, resilient marriage. We cover the tough topics, practice healthy conflict resolution, and ensure you’re aligned on the things that actually matter for a lifetime partnership.
You know you love each other, but love isn't enough. Are you aligned on the big stuff? Or are you avoiding hard conversations because you're scared of the answers?
Better to discover it now than after the wedding. Premarital counseling sometimes reveals deal-breakers, and that's not a failure. It's clarity.
Some couples mistake conflict avoidance for compatibility. You WILL disagree in marriage. The question is: Do you know how to fight fair?
Money is one of the top reasons marriages fail. Debt, spending habits, financial goals, these need to be discussed BEFORE you merge accounts.
In-laws, cultural differences, family expectations, these issues don't go away after the wedding. How do you set boundaries while maintaining relationships?
We'll figure it out later" is how resentment builds. You need to figure it out NOW.
Let’s make sure you’re ready.
Premarital counseling is structured, focused work. We don’t just “chat about the relationship”, we systematically cover the topics that predict marital success or failure.
Session 1-2: Assessment & Communication Foundation
We assess your relationship strengths and growth areas. I’ll teach you foundational communication skills: active listening, expressing needs without blame, fighting fair. You’ll practice these in session.
Session 3-4: Money, Sex, and Kids (The Big Three)
We tackle the topics most couples avoid: finances (debt, spending, goals), sex (expectations, frequency, mismatched desire), and children (do you want them? when? how many?). If there’s misalignment, we address it NOW.
Session 5-6: Family, In-Laws, and Roles
We explore family dynamics, boundary-setting with in-laws, cultural/religious differences, and division of labor. Who does what? Whose career takes priority? How do you honor both families?
Session 7-8: Life Goals, Challenges, and Final Preparation
We discuss long-term goals, how you’ll navigate challenges (job loss, illness, stress), and create a shared vision for your marriage. We end with a “marriage maintenance plan” for staying connected.
Timeline: Most couples complete premarital counseling in 6-8 sessions over 2-3 months. Some couples need more time; some need less.
If I see red flags, poor communication, misaligned values, unresolved issues, I’ll name them. My job isn’t to get you to the altar. It’s to help you make the right decision.
Money. Sex. In-laws. Kids. Religion. We go there. Because avoiding hard conversations before marriage means they explode after.
If you’ve been married before, you know what went wrong. We use that knowledge to build something different this time.
Absolutely. Premarital counseling isn’t for couples in crisis, it’s for couples who want to prevent crises. The best time to build skills is BEFORE you need them.
That’s actually a success, not a failure. Better to gain clarity before the wedding than to divorce later. Some couples postpone. Some break up. Most work through concerns and move forward stronger.
Couples therapy addresses existing problems. Premarital counseling is preventive, building skills and aligning expectations BEFORE problems arise.
Most couples complete premarital counseling in 6-8 sessions over 2-3 months. We recommend starting 3-6 months before the wedding (not the week before).
My approach is secular and evidence-based, but I respect and honor religious values. If you want faith-based counseling, I can integrate your beliefs.
Yes. Cohabitation doesn’t mean you’ve had the hard conversations. Many cohabiting couples avoid topics like marriage expectations, long-term goals, or division of labor.
Premarital counseling is sometimes billed differently than standard therapy since it’s preventive rather than treating a diagnosed condition, so coverage varies by plan. Contact me to check whether your BCBS, Aetna, or UHC plan covers it, or ask about self-pay rates.
That’s common. Often one partner is more proactive. But both partners need to be willing to show up and engage. If one partner refuses, that’s important information.
Tuesday – Friday: 11 AM – 7 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM
401 North Michigan Avenue,
Suite 1225,
Chicago, IL 60611
Parking: Valet garage in the building, entered from Lower North Water Street. Public self-park garages a few blocks away: Nordstrom Garage (Shops at North Bridge), 516 N. Rush St., entrance on the west side of Rush between Illinois St. and Grand Ave.; and Ogden Plaza Garage, 300 E. North Water St. Paid street parking is also available.
Public Transit: CTA buses stop in front of the building, and the Red Line is a short walk away.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
11 AM – 8 PM
125 South Wacker Drive
Suite 308
Chicago, IL 60606
Parking: Paid street parking or multiple public garages..
Public Transit: CTA & Metra.
Whether you’re navigating relationship struggles, identity questions, trauma recovery, or generational patterns you’re ready to break, I’m here to help. Fill out the form, and I will reach out to you as soon as I can.
This form is not for emergencies. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.
Please don’t include personal health details here. I’ll get back to you within one business day to schedule your first appointment.
