5 Highly Recommended Chicago Premarital Therapists
Planning a life together is beautiful—and it can also bring up unexpected fears, old patterns, and questions you never knew you'd face. Whether you're navigating family expectations, healing from past relationships, or simply wanting to build a foundation that honors who you both are, premarital therapy offers a space to strengthen your connection before saying "I do."
At Watch Hill Therapy, we understand that every couple's story is unique, and we're here to help you write the next chapter together. Here, we’ll introduce you to our expert premarital counselors and offer referrals to other trusted local providers so you can find the right fit for your relationship.
Jump to a therapist
Best for premarital counseling for LGBTQIA+ couples: Jenna Salsedo
Best for premarital counseling for neurodivergent couples: Joseline Gonzalez
Best for premarital counseling for couples impacted by disability: Ellen Lonnquist
Best for premarital counseling for couples with family issues: Lauren Freier
Best for couples seeking a Black premarital counselor: John Sykes & team
Meet our premarital therapists
Jenna Salsedo
Best for premarital counseling for LGBTQIA+ couples
Jenna creates a warm, affirming space where LGBTQIA+ couples can explore their relationship without judgment or the need to explain themselves. Her approach is collaborative and solution-focused, honoring each couple’s unique story while also offering concrete tools that you and your partner can start using right away.
Credentials: Licensed Social Worker
Location: Chicago, IL 60602
Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person
Joseline Gonzalez
Best for premarital counseling for neurodivergent couples
Joseline supports couples where one or both partners are neurodivergent, helping them understand how ADHD or other differences shape communication, connection, and daily life together. Her neurodivergent-affirming approach tailors therapy to each couple's unique needs, building on strengths rather than trying to fit a neurotypical mold. She offers sessions in both English and Spanish.
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Location: Chicago, IL 60602
Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person
Other recommended premarital counselors in Chicago
While we’d love to support every couple, we recognize that our practice may not always be the best fit. We want you and your partner to get the support you need, whether that’s with us or someone else. That’s why we’ve featured some other trusted premarital therapists in Chicago—so you can find the professional who matches your needs best.
Ellen Lonnquist
Best for premarital counseling for couples impacted by disability
Ellen brings deep expertise in helping couples navigate the complexities of disability, either their own or that of a loved one. Using a family systems approach, she helps you build resilience as a team, communicate about the hard stuff, and create a partnership that honors both your love and the practical realities you're facing.
Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Location: Evanston, IL 60201
Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person
Lauren Freier
Best for premarital counseling for couples with family issues
Lauren specializes in helping couples untangle family-of-origin patterns and navigate difficult dynamics with extended family. With her insight-oriented, relationally-driven approach, she creates space for you to understand how your families shaped you—and to build a partnership that honors your own values, not just inherited expectations.
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Location: Chicago, IL 60614
Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person
John Sykes & team
Best for couples seeking a Black premarital counselor
John’s practice, According to Sykes, specializes in trauma-informed, liberation-based care for individuals, couples, and families in Chicago. John approaches therapy with a decolonial, integrative, community-centric lens and often incorporates somatic (body-based) healing approaches. While he is not actively accepting new clients, several of his team members have availability.
Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Location: Chicago, IL 60615
Virtual therapy? Yes, in addition to in-person
Why couples choose our practice
At Watch Hill Therapy, we approach premarital counseling differently. Instead of focusing solely on surface-level issues, we work on healing the dynamics in your relationship at their root. These patterns often stem from family histories, past hurts, and the ways you learned to love and protect yourselves long before you met.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Trauma-informed premarital work: We recognize how past experiences shape present relationships.
Systems-based approach: We look at how families of origin, cultural contexts, and societal pressures impact your partnership.
LGBTQIA+ affirming: We celebrate all relationship configurations and identities.
Neurodivergent-affirming care: We tailor our approach to different neurotypes and communication styles.
Culturally sensitive: We honor diverse backgrounds and understand how oppression affects relationships.
Evening and weekend availability: We offer flexible scheduling for busy couples.
Hybrid options: Choose between in-person sessions in the heart of downtown Chicago or virtual therapy based on what works best for your relationship.
13 years serving Chicago: We’re an established practice with deep roots in the community.
If you’re still not sure whether we’re the right fit for you and your partner, reach out for a free consultation call so we can discuss your situation directly.
What pre-marriage counseling helps with
Communication breakdowns and unproductive conflict patterns
Navigating different attachment styles and what you each need to feel secure
Family-of-origin influences and in-law dynamics
Money and financial stress
Sexual intimacy challenges, mismatched desire, or past trauma affecting your connection
Navigating one partner's addiction or recovery
Trust issues, past infidelity, or healing from previous relationships
Exploring your relationship structure (e.g., polyamory, open relationships)
Life transitions, grief, or shared challenges like parenting children with special needs
Cultural, religious, or identity-based differences
Fear of repeating parents' divorce or unhealthy patterns
Pre-wedding stress, family pressure, or doubts about getting married
Our approach to premarital therapy
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We begin by understanding who you are as individuals and as a couple—your histories, your attachment styles, what brought you together, and what patterns from your past might be quietly shaping your present relationship dynamics.
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Together, we explore the big conversations many couples avoid: money and power, sex and intimacy, children and parenting philosophies, family boundaries, conflict styles, and how you'll navigate differences when they inevitably arise.
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You'll learn practical tools for expressing needs vulnerably, listening beneath the words, managing conflict without contempt, and reconnecting after ruptures—skills that will serve you long after your wedding day.
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We help you articulate what kind of marriage you actually want to build together, not what others expect from you. Through this process, you’ll design a partnership that reflects your values, honors your differences, and gives you a roadmap for choosing each other across a lifetime.
How to choose the right premarital therapist for you
Finding the right therapist is deeply personal. Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you and your partner make a decision.
Specialization matters: Seek therapists with experience in couples work, particularly in the areas where you and your partner want support.
Cultural competency: Find someone who understands your identities, backgrounds, and the unique challenges you face.
Approach alignment: Make sure their therapeutic philosophy matches what you're looking for (e.g., trauma-informed, systemic, sex-positive).
Values fit: Choose a therapist who affirms your relationship structure and doesn't impose their own beliefs.
Practical considerations: Think about location, virtual options, availability, and whether they accept your insurance.
Chemistry: Trust your gut—if something feels off in the initial consultation, keep looking.
The right therapist will help you feel both supported and challenged, creating space for growth without judgment. If you’re curious whether our practice is the right fit for you and your partner, we invite you to reach out for a free consultation.
FAQs about premarital counseling
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There’s no right or wrong time to start premarital counseling. Ideally, we recommend starting several months before your wedding, giving you time to explore important topics without the pressure of immediate deadlines. That said, it's never too early (or too late) to begin. Even engaged couples weeks away from the altar benefit from a dedicated space to have honest conversations with each other.
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Most insurance plans typically don't cover premarital counseling since it's considered preventative rather than treatment for a diagnosable condition. However, if relationship distress is impacting mental health, you may be able to get some coverage. We recommend checking with your provider or discussing self-pay options with us.
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While it’s hard to quantify how successful premarital counseling can be, research shows that couples who engage in premarital therapy report higher levels of relationship satisfaction than those who don’t.
Each couple is different, and you and your partner likely have your own concept of what a successful marriage looks like for you. Your therapist will work with you to create a roadmap that’s specifically tailored to your relationship.
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Yes, premarital counseling is absolutely worth it.. Think of it as investing in your relationship's foundation rather than waiting until cracks appear. Premarital therapy helps you avoid common pitfalls, understand each other more deeply, and approach marriage with clarity and confidence. The skills you build now can carry you through decades together, not just your wedding day alone.