Marriage Counseling in Chicago

An experienced couples therapist can help you identify your specific marriage needs and goals and establish a healthy and strong connection.

marriage counseling in chicago

Marriage Counseling in Chicago

Has your relationship lost the ease, connection, and intimacy it once had? Maybe what used to feel effortless now feels strained—filled with avoidance, frustration, or silence. You and your partner might be caught in communication patterns shaped by resentment, nagging, or emotional distance. Over time, work, parenting, and everyday stressors can quietly take the place of the time and energy you once poured into each other.

Perhaps you’re newly engaged and want to explore lingering questions before making a lifelong commitment. Or you might be facing the pain of infidelity, unsure if healing and trust are even possible. You could be navigating a divorce, trying to part ways with clarity and care. Maybe unresolved hurts have built up so much that you no longer feel safe being vulnerable—or even know how to begin an honest conversation again.

Feeling disconnected from your partner—or uncertain about the future of your relationship—can be isolating and deeply painful. The weight of everyday responsibilities, coupled with emotional disconnection, can leave you feeling stuck, depleted, or on the verge of giving up. If you and your partner are stuck in a cycle of conflict, avoidance, or numbness, you may be wondering if a healthy, connected relationship is still within reach.

Marriage counseling offers a path forward. With the support of a skilled therapist, you and your partner can work to rebuild trust, improve communication, and reconnect in meaningful ways. Whether you’re trying to repair after a rupture or looking to deepen your bond, therapy can help you move forward—together.

Therapy For Couples Can Help You Heal. Rebuild And A Unified Path Forward.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage Counseling in Chicago

What percentage of marriages survive counseling?

While results can vary depending on the couple and the issues they’re facing, research shows that emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT), one of the leading approaches to marriage counseling, has a success rate of around 70–75%. Many couples report improved communication, greater emotional connection, and a renewed sense of partnership—even if the outcome is not always staying together. The willingness of both partners to engage in the process is a key factor in positive outcomes.

What type of therapy is best for married couples?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but some of the most effective approaches include:

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) – Focuses on improving attachment and emotional responsiveness.

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Based on decades of research, it emphasizes communication, conflict resolution, and building friendship.

  • Imago Relationship Therapy – Explores how childhood experiences shape adult relationships and helps couples grow in empathy and understanding.

At Empowered Therapy, we draw from evidence-based approaches tailored to each couple’s unique dynamic and goals.

Are marriage counselors covered by insurance?

In many cases, yes—especially if a mental health diagnosis is involved (such as anxiety, depression, or adjustment disorder). However, coverage depends on your individual insurance plan. We recommend contacting your provider to ask about mental health benefits or reaching out to our team, and we’ll be happy to help you navigate your options.

What not to say to a marriage counselor?

Marriage counseling is a space for honesty, even when it’s uncomfortable. That said, there are a few things to be mindful of:

  • Avoid using the sessions to solely blame your partner.

  • Try not to shut down or say “I don’t care” if possible—your feelings matter, and expressing them helps the process.

  • Don’t lie or withhold important information. The more open you are, the more helpful therapy can be. Remember, your therapist isn’t there to take sides but to help you both feel seen, heard, and supported in working toward change.

Marriage Counseling in Chicago

If you’re struggling to connect and communicate effectively with your partner, you are not alone. Roughly 50 percent of marriages in the United States end in divorce, and it’s estimated that 30 to 60 percent of couples experience some form of infidelity during their marriage. Often relationships begin full of love, honesty and eagerness to spend time together. But as more time passes and people change occupations, move, watch their children grow older and experience loss, relationships often get off-track. And, when faced with difficult transitions and external stress, it’s also common for couples to isolate themselves, spending more time on other activities or the Internet than reaching out to one another when they need each other most.

The good news is that there is help and hope to build a healthy relationship with your partner, regardless of what stage of life together you’re in. If you’re going through a divorce, would like to work on your marriage or are considering getting married, an experienced couples therapist can help you identify your specific relationship needs and goals and establish a healthy and strong connection.

Couples therapy provides a safe space for you and your spouse, partner or ex to each express yourselves openly and honestly and talk through the concerns that are driving your disconnection or discord. Outside the stressors of everyday life, you can learn and practice strategies that can help you understand yourself and your partner on a deeper, more connected and compassionate level. The more you learn about each other, the easier it becomes to openly share your emotions and get both of your needs met. Although in therapy we will carefully tease apart the patterns that you and your partner have established, couples therapy isn’t just about focusing on what’s not working in your relationship. We can also help you identify your strengths and actively build upon them.