Your Boarding Gate to a Healthier, Happier Marriage
Every great journey begins at a gate. Gate 14 is yours.
When you board a flight to a new destination, the crew completes careful pre-flight checks. They verify systems, review safety protocols, and ensure everything is ready for a successful journey. Your marriage deserves the same level of preparation.
Since 2006, couples throughout Chicago have boarded Gate 14—our unique premarital counseling program that prepares you for the most important journey of your life. Featured in the Chicago Tribune and created by Dr. John Moore, Gate 14 is a structured 6-session program that helps you navigate the 14 essential areas every couple should explore before takeoff.
Think of Gate 14 as your portal to the future—a healthier, happier relationship that’s built to withstand any turbulence ahead.
Dr. John Moore, creator of Gate 14 and founder of 2nd Story Counseling and Couples Counseling Chicago, introduces the premarital counseling program that has helped hundreds of Chicago couples prepare for marriage.
Why Gate 14? Why Now?
Departing for Your Future Together
You’ve planned the wedding—the venue, the flowers, the perfect first dance. But have you planned the marriage?
Gate 14 isn’t about fixing problems. It’s about preparing for success. Just as pilots wouldn’t dream of taking off without completing their pre-flight checklist, couples shouldn’t enter marriage without exploring the critical areas that determine whether your journey together will be smooth sailing or constant turbulence.
What makes Gate 14 Chicago’s original structured premarital program:
✈️ Proven Flight Plan: Our proprietary workbook guides you through 14 essential relationship areas across 6 carefully designed sessions. Each session builds on the last, with homework assignments that deepen your connection between meetings.
✈️ All Passengers Welcome: Gate 14 is completely secular with no religious agenda. We welcome all couples regardless of gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, or faith tradition. LGBTQ+ affirming, interfaith-friendly, culturally responsive.
✈️ Featured Destination: Our program has been recognized by the Chicago Tribune for its innovative, practical approach to premarital preparation.
✈️ Flexible Departure Times: You and your counselor choose session times that fit your busy lives—evenings, weekends, or weekdays. We work around your schedule, not the other way around.
✈️ Choose Your Captain: Prefer a male or female therapist? Have specific scheduling needs? We match you with a counselor who fits your preferences.
✈️ Private Cabin Experience: This isn’t group counseling. Just you, your partner, and your therapist working on your unique relationship in confidential, one-on-one sessions.
Need premarital counseling?
Schedule a free consultation to learn more.
The Gate 14 Flight Path: 6 Sessions, 14 Destinations
Pre-Flight Checks to Points Beyond
Your Gate 14 journey covers 14 critical relationship areas—the destinations you’ll explore together over six 50-60 minute sessions with your dedicated counselor.
The 14 Destinations You’ll Explore:
- Motivation for relationship commitment
- Future expectations for your partnership
- Love and attachment styles (with assessment)
- Communication barriers and breakthrough strategies
- Healthy relationship role models vs. warning signs
- Boundaries that build trust and safety
- Support systems to call on during turbulence
- Conflict resolution and repair strategies
- Relationship responsibilities (finances, chores, roles)
- Family and friends’ roles in your marriage
- Spiritual values and finding common ground
- Sexual intimacy, needs, and expectations
- Other important issues unique to your relationship
- Your flight plan for the future
Each area is explored through structured exercises, guided discussions, and take-home assignments in your Gate 14 workbook—a comprehensive resource you’ll keep and reference throughout your marriage.
Your Gate 14 Journey: Session by Session
Week 1: Pre-Flight Checks ✈️
Before any aircraft leaves the gate, the crew completes essential safety checks. Your relationship deserves the same careful attention.
You’ll explore:
- Ground rules for respectful, productive communication
- Your individual goals and expectations for the Gate 14 program
- What’s motivating your decision to make this commitment
- Informed consent and the counseling agreement
Your boarding pass includes: The complete Gate 14 workbook with exercises, assessments, and space for personal reflections.
Homework: Complete the Love Style Assessment—a revealing look at how you and your partner experience and express love.
Week 2: Taxi Down the Runway ✈️
You’re moving now, building momentum toward takeoff. This is where you identify any obstacles on the runway before they become problems in the air.
You’ll explore:
- Your attachment and love style results—what they reveal about your relationship dynamics
- Current communication barriers that create friction
- Practical strategies to break through these obstacles
- How your individual love languages complement or clash
Homework: Identify relationship role models in your life—couples whose marriages you admire and those that serve as cautionary tales. What makes the difference?
Week 3: Take-Off! ✈️
You’re airborne now. With the ground falling away, this is where you commit to the journey and establish the boundaries that will keep you both safe.
You’ll explore:
- What makes certain relationships healthy role models vs. red flags
- Personal boundaries that foster trust rather than resentment
- Your individual “deal-breakers” and non-negotiables
- Creating a relationship boundary agreement you both honor
Homework: Consider drafting a boundary “contract”—a mutual agreement about what trust and respect look like in your relationship.
Week 4: Unexpected Turbulence ✈️
Every flight encounters some turbulence. Every relationship faces conflict. The question isn’t if you’ll hit rough air—it’s how you’ll navigate it together.
You’ll explore:
- Healthy support systems each partner can turn to during difficult times
- Common sources of conflict in your relationship (and how to anticipate them)
- Creating a “time-out” code word with a specific time frame for when emotions run too high
- Repair strategies after arguments
Homework: Make two lists—chores you absolutely hate and chores you don’t mind doing. Keep them secret until next session.
Week 5: In-Flight Service ✈️
Long flights require coordination between crew members. Who handles what? How do you divide responsibilities fairly? What’s the plan when unexpected situations arise?
You’ll explore:
- Sharing and negotiating household responsibilities (now you reveal those lists!)
- Financial management: Who handles money? What requires joint decisions? How do you navigate different spending styles?
- Defining healthy boundaries with family and friends
- Balancing individual autonomy with partnership responsibilities
Homework: Prepare to discuss topics that often feel awkward—spirituality, sex, and any other “elephants in the room” you’ve been avoiding.
Week 6: To Points Beyond ✈️
You’re approaching your destination. This final session addresses the deeply personal topics many couples avoid—until they become major sources of conflict.
You’ll explore:
- The role of spirituality, faith, or secular values in your relationship
- Sexual intimacy: needs, expectations, frequency, satisfaction
- Any remaining important topics specific to your relationship
- Your long-term flight plan: Where are you headed together?
Your landing: Celebrate the work you’ve done and the foundation you’ve built. You’ll leave with tools, insights, and a deeper connection that will serve you for decades.
(If another session is needed to address unresolved areas, just ask. Some couples need extra time at certain destinations.)
Who Should Board Gate 14?
All Chicago Couples Welcome
Gate 14 serves Chicago-area couples who are:
✈️ Engaged and planning marriage within the next 6-12 months
✈️ Seriously dating and considering engagement but want to make sure you’re truly ready
✈️ Moving in together and treating cohabitation as a serious commitment
✈️ In a long-term relationship ready to formalize your bond
✈️ Blending families and need to navigate complex stepfamily dynamics
✈️ From different backgrounds—culturally, religiously, racially, or generationally different and need to bridge those gaps
✈️ LGBTQ+ couples seeking affirming, knowledgeable, experienced support. See our LGBTQ+ couples therapy Chicago page.
✈️ Career-focused professionals with demanding schedules who need flexible session times
✈️ Second (or third) marriages who want to apply hard-won wisdom from past relationships
✈️ Couples who want to start strong rather than wait until problems develop
Most Gate 14 couples are in their 30s or 40s, balancing demanding careers with relationship goals. But we’ve worked with couples from their early 20s to their 60s and beyond. If you’re committed to the journey, Gate 14 is for you.
Not sure if Gate 14 is right for you?
Schedule a free consultation to learn more.
Why Preparation Matters: The Research
Couples Who Plan Together Stay Together
You wouldn’t board a transatlantic flight on an airline that skipped maintenance checks. Yet many couples enter marriage—an even longer journey—without any preparation at all.
The research is clear:
📊 30% Higher Success Rate: Couples who complete premarital counseling have a 30% higher rate of marital satisfaction and longevity.
📊 Better Communication: Premarital counseling significantly improves communication skills, active listening, and the ability to express emotions constructively.
📊 Fewer Surprises: Couples who discuss expectations about finances, children, careers, and household roles before marriage report far less conflict about these issues afterward.
📊 Stronger Conflict Resolution: Learning to navigate disagreements respectfully before marriage prevents destructive patterns from taking root.
📊 Deeper Emotional Connection: Structured premarital work increases empathy, understanding, and emotional intimacy.
📊 Proactive Problem-Solving: Identifying potential turbulence before you encounter it allows couples to develop strategies in advance.
Gate 14 isn’t therapy for a troubled relationship. It’s preventative maintenance for a healthy one—investing now in the tools and insights that will serve you for a lifetime.
Common Questions Couples Bring to Gate 14
What Issues Do We Actually Need to Discuss?
Many couples come to Gate 14 thinking they’ve already talked about everything important. Then they discover crucial conversations they’ve been avoiding—or assumptions they’ve made that turn out to be very wrong.
Questions we help you navigate:
💬 “We’re great now, but how do we stay great 10, 20, 30 years from now?”
💬 “We love each other, but we fight about money constantly. How do we resolve this before it destroys us?”
💬 “My partner wants kids soon. I’m not sure I want them at all. How do we handle this?”
💬 “How do we blend our families without causing resentment in the kids?”
💬 “We come from completely different religious/cultural backgrounds. What happens when we have children? Whose traditions do we follow?”
💬 “How much involvement should in-laws have in our marriage? What boundaries are reasonable?”
💬 “Our sex life is good now, but we’ve never really talked about our actual needs and expectations long-term.”
💬 “I’m worried we’re unconsciously repeating toxic patterns from our parents’ marriages.”
💬 “My partner’s spending habits terrify me. How do we handle finances when we’re so different?”
💬 “What if one of us gets a major career opportunity that requires relocating? Who decides?”
Gate 14 provides a safe, structured environment to address these questions with professional guidance—before they become sources of ongoing conflict or resentment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gate 14
How much does Gate 14 cost?
The Gate 14 program is priced as a complete 6-session package and costs considerably less than traditional couples counseling. Contact us at 773-598-7797 for current pricing. Think of it as an investment in your future—one that pays dividends for decades.
Is Gate 14 covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans don’t cover premarital counseling since it’s preventative education rather than treatment for a mental health condition. However, we provide detailed receipts you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Check with your provider about your specific benefits.
How long are the sessions?
Each session lasts 50-60 minutes—enough time to dig deep without feeling rushed.
How are sessions scheduled?
You, your partner, and your counselor decide together what works best. Some couples prefer weekly sessions to maintain momentum. Others space them out over several months to allow time for reflection and implementation. The program is completely flexible to your schedule and pace.
When should we start Gate 14?
Ideally, begin 6-12 months before your wedding. This allows plenty of time to work through any issues that surface and implement changes. That said, we’ve worked with couples just weeks before their wedding and couples who aren’t even engaged yet. The best time to start is when you know you’re seriously committed to each other.
Is this group counseling?
Absolutely not. Gate 14 is exclusively individual couple counseling—just you, your partner, and your therapist in completely private, confidential sessions.
Is Gate 14 religious?
No. The program is entirely secular with no religious agenda whatsoever. You control whether and how spirituality enters the conversation. We welcome couples of all faiths, interfaith couples, and couples with no religious affiliation.
What if we’re not planning to get legally married?
Perfect! Gate 14 is designed for both premarital and pre-commitment counseling. Whether you’re planning a wedding, a commitment ceremony, or simply taking your relationship to the next level of seriousness, Gate 14 helps you build that foundation.
Do we have to complete all the homework?
We strongly encourage it. The homework reinforces session concepts and helps you go deeper between meetings. That said, we understand life gets busy. Your counselor will work with you if time is tight. Just know that couples who complete the homework consistently report getting more value from the program.
What if we discover a major incompatibility during Gate 14?
That’s exactly why you’re doing this now instead of after the wedding. Your counselor is trained to help you navigate disagreements, explore compromises, and determine whether differences are workable or fundamental deal-breakers. Discovering major incompatibilities before marriage—while it’s painful—is far better than discovering them after you’ve made legal and financial commitments.
Some couples have postponed weddings after Gate 14 to work on specific issues. Others have ended relationships. Most, however, emerge with greater clarity, confidence, and tools to build a strong marriage. Whatever the outcome, you’ll have made an informed decision.
Can we continue counseling after completing Gate 14?
Absolutely. Many couples complete Gate 14 and feel fully prepared for marriage. Others identify specific areas—like financial planning, blending families, or navigating cultural differences—that need additional focused work. Your counselor can recommend next steps, whether that’s occasional check-in sessions, specialized couples therapy, or referrals to other resources.
What makes Gate 14 different from other premarital programs?
Unlike generic premarital counseling or religious pre-Cana programs:
- Gate 14 has a proprietary structure: 14 specific areas, 6 structured sessions, comprehensive workbook
- Gate 14 is completely secular and LGBTQ+ affirming
- Gate 14 includes assessments (love styles, attachment) not just discussions
- Gate 14 provides take-home materials you’ll reference throughout your marriage
- Gate 14 was developed specifically for modern Chicago couples by experienced relationship therapists over nearly two decades
- Gate 14 has been featured in major media (Chicago Tribune) for its effectiveness
You’re not just having conversations. You’re completing a proven program with measurable outcomes.
What happens after our final session?
You’ll leave with your completed Gate 14 workbook full of insights, tools, agreements, and reference materials. Many couples revisit their workbook during their first year of marriage or during challenging times. You’ll also have the option to schedule check-in sessions at any point in the future—think of it as maintenance visits to keep your relationship in peak condition.
Your Wedding is Planned. Is Your Marriage?
Gate 14: 6 Sessions • 14 Essential Areas • Flexible Scheduling
Meet the Team Behind Gate 14
Built by Experts, Refined by Real Couples
Gate 14 wasn’t created in isolation—it’s the result of collaboration among experienced relationship therapists, marriage counselors, and most importantly, the hundreds of real Chicago couples who’ve shared their challenges, insights, and feedback over nearly two decades.
The program was founded in 2006 with a simple question: What do modern couples actually need to prepare for marriage? Not what religious institutions think they need. Not what generic counseling programs assume. What do real couples—navigating careers, cultural differences, family dynamics, and the complexities of 21st-century relationships—truly need to build lasting partnerships?
To answer that question, our team worked closely with:
- Long-term couples who shared what they wish they’d discussed before marriage
- Marriage therapists who identified the most common sources of conflict in their practices
- Relationship specialists who contributed research-backed insights on communication, attachment, and conflict resolution
- Couples of all backgrounds—LGBTQ+, interfaith, interracial, blended families—who helped ensure Gate 14 serves everyone
The result is a program that addresses real-world challenges traditional premarital counseling often misses or oversimplifies. Gate 14 has been continuously refined based on feedback from the hundreds of Chicago couples who’ve completed it, incorporating what actually works in building strong marriages.
Founded by Dr. John Moore, PhD, and developed by the experienced therapists at Couples Counseling Chicago, Gate 14 reflects more than 20 years of collective wisdom about what makes relationships thrive.
When you choose Gate 14, you benefit from this extensive collaborative expertise—a program built not on theory alone, but on the lived experiences of couples just like you.
What Couples Say About Their Gate 14 Journey
“Gate 14 gave us permission to talk about things we’d been avoiding for years—like money, kids, and what happens if one of us wants to move for a job. Having our counselor guide those conversations made them so much less scary. We thought we might be ‘too late’ to do premarital counseling six months before our wedding, but it was exactly the right time.”
— Sarah & Mike, Lincoln Park
“We thought we knew everything about each other after five years together. The love styles assessment alone proved us completely wrong! Understanding my partner’s attachment style explained SO much about our arguments. Gate 14 didn’t just prepare us for marriage—it made our relationship better right now.”
— Jennifer & Amanda, Lakeview
“Our families come from completely different cultural backgrounds and our parents had… opinions about our wedding plans. Gate 14 helped us figure out how to honor both families while creating our own traditions. We went into those family conversations way more confident and united.”
— Raj & Emily, West Loop
“I was skeptical about premarital counseling—I thought it was only for couples with problems. But Gate 14 wasn’t about fixing anything broken. It was about making something good even stronger. The homework on boundaries completely changed how we communicate. Worth every session.”
— Marcus & Jason, Andersonville
“After a divorce, I was terrified of making the same mistakes again. Gate 14 helped me and my partner identify patterns from our previous relationships and make conscious choices about doing things differently. We’re building something new, not repeating the past.”
— Christina, Wicker Park
Ready to Board Gate 14?
Your Journey Begins Here
Your wedding day will be beautiful. Your marriage can be extraordinary—but only if you prepare for it.
Gate 14 gives you the flight plan, the pre-flight checks, and the tools to navigate whatever turbulence comes your way. This is your portal to a healthier, happier relationship built on communication, trust, understanding, and shared purpose.
Three Simple Steps to Begin:
1. Contact Us
Call 773-598-7797 or complete our online contact form to schedule your initial consultation.
2. Tell Us Your Preferences
Let us know whether you prefer a male or female therapist and what times work best for your schedule (evenings, weekends, weekdays). We’ll match you with a counselor who fits your needs.
3. Receive Your Boarding Pass
Attend your first Gate 14 session, receive your comprehensive workbook, and begin exploring the 14 destinations that will strengthen your relationship for a lifetime.
Location & Contact
Couples Counseling Chicago
Lakeview
Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: 773-598-7797
Serving: Chicago and surrounding areas including Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Boystown, Andersonville, Uptown, Wicker Park, West Loop, Loop, River North, Gold Coast, Bucktown, Logan Square, and beyond.
Convenient scheduling: Evening, weekend, and daytime appointments available.
Your Departure Date is Waiting
You’re already planning the flowers, the venue, the photographer, the DJ. You’ve chosen the perfect cake and the ideal first dance song.
Now it’s time to plan the marriage itself.
Gate 14 isn’t just premarital counseling. It’s your boarding gate to the future you’re building together—a future filled with deeper understanding, stronger communication, and tools to weather any storm.
The best relationships don’t happen by accident. They happen by intention.
Your gate is waiting. Are you ready to board?
Call 773-598-7797 or contact us today to begin your Gate 14 journey.