Is an Intensive Retreat Worth It for Empty Nesters? Here’s What the Research Says
Becoming empty nesters can feel like a seismic shift—suddenly, the constant hum of parenting is gone, and you’re rediscovering life with your spouse in a quiet house. While this transition can be a relief, it often brings unexpected emotional challenges, disconnection, or identity shifts¹. An intensive couples retreat can offer focused, transformational support during this […]
Are Multi-Day Intensive Couples Counseling Sessions More Effective Than Weekly One-Hour Sessions?
When a marriage is in crisis—or simply stuck—couples often wonder:Should we try a multi-day intensive couples counseling vs weekly sessions? While both approaches can help, research and clinical experience suggest that multi-day intensive sessions often deliver faster, deeper results for certain couples—especially when the relationship is on the brink or issues have been stuck for […]
What Couples Therapy Weekend Should I Do?
When couples search for a weekend retreat, they’re often at a crossroads — wondering if this might be the turning point that saves their relationship. The challenge? Not all couples therapy weekends are created equal. Some focus on education and group discussion, others on private, intensive therapy sessions. The best fit depends on your specific […]
What’s the Divorce Rate After Marriage Counseling? Here’s What Couples Should Know Before Taking That Step.
If you’re considering couples therapy and wondering what the divorce rate after marriage counseling is because you’re just not sure you want to take the risk, good for you for doing proper research. Let’s talk about it — honestly. Because the answer depends on what kind of counseling you’re getting… and whether your therapist truly […]
Are marriage intensives worth it?
Are Marriage Intensives Worth It? Should You Invest in a Marriage Intensive? Here’s How to Decide When couples come to me feeling overwhelmed—auras of exhaustion, years of silent drifting—I often hear the same question: Are marriage intensives worth it? In my 20+ years of guiding couples through intense, transformative therapy, I’ve seen firsthand how this […]
What’s the Best Way to Save a Marriage? 15 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Counselor
Should You Invest in a Marriage Counselor? A Guided Approach When your marriage feels like it’s at a breaking point, asking “What’s the best way to save a marriage?” is natural. The answer often lies in choosing the right marriage counselor—one whose expertise and methods align with your needs. Below are 15 carefully crafted questions […]
Why Intensive Marriage Counseling Retreats Work When Nothing Else Has
If you’re reading this, chances are high that you’re feeling stuck. Maybe the conversations between you and your partner always lead to the same arguments. Maybe you’re sleeping in separate rooms or feeling more like roommates than romantic partners. Maybe you’ve already tried weekly therapy, only to leave sessions more frustrated than before. You’re not […]
Tired of Fighting in Your Marriage? How to Stop Arguing in a Relationship
But here’s the truth: constant fighting isn’t a sign that your relationship is doomed. It’s a sign that something deeper needs to be healed—together. Why You Can’t “Just Stop Fighting” When you’re locked in a pattern of daily arguments, advice like “just communicate better” or “choose your battles” falls flat. That’s because the fighting isn’t […]
Marriage Coaching vs. Licensed Therapy: Which Is Right for Your Intensive Retreat?
When couples seek help to repair their relationship, they often come across two main options: marriage coaching vs licensed marriage therapy. While both can play valuable roles in relationship improvement, it’s important to understand the key differences between them—especially when considering a marriage therapy intensive. In this post, we’ll explore the differences between marriage coaching […]
What Is Secular Counseling? A Guide for Couples Seeking Non-Religious Therapy
For many couples, the decision to seek therapy is a vulnerable and courageous one. But what happens when you want professional help without religious undertones? That’s where secular counseling comes in. If you’re looking for support that honors your values, your worldview, and your relationship without bringing in faith-based language, this guide is for you. […]
Are Non Religious Marriage Retreats the Right Choice for Couples? What to Expect from a Secular Intensive
When most people think of marriage retreats, they often picture religious settings, church groups, and spiritual counseling. But are marriage retreats exclusively for religious couples? Not at all! In fact, non religious marriage retreats, like the intensive programs offered by The Marriage Restoration Project, cater to couples from all walks of life. If you’re seeking […]
Do Marriage Counselors Ever Advise to Break Up?
People ask me this a lot – sometimes quietly, sometimes hoping I’ll say yes. “Do marriage counselors ever advise to break up?” I do know that many marriage counselors do. I personally do not. Ever. I don’t feel that it’s my job to tell a couple if they should or should not stay together. My […]
How to Get the Most Out of Your Couples Retreat: Before, During, and After
When your relationship is on the line, deciding to attend a couples retreat can feel both hopeful and nerve-wracking. You might be wondering: What will it be like? Will it actually help? What if we just end up fighting the whole time? These questions are completely normal—and they’re a sign that you care deeply about […]
Do Marriage Retreats Really Work? 5 Myths About Couples Therapy Retreats Debunked
When your marriage feels like it’s falling apart, it’s natural to hesitate about what to try next. Weekly therapy may feel too slow, while conversations at home often spiral into the same painful loops. If you’ve ever considered a couples retreat but brushed it off due to skepticism, fear, or misinformation—you’re not alone. At The […]
Deciding on Your Marriage’s Future? Watch for These 5 Micro-Moments
When people talk about what makes a great marriage, they often think of the big stuff: vacations, anniversaries, grand romantic gestures, and so on. But truthfully? It’s the small, everyday moments that matter most1. We’re talking about the way that you say good morning, take a pause to ask how your partner’s day went, or […]
The Downsides of Couples Therapy (and What to Do Instead)
The Downsides of Couples Therapy (and What to Do Instead) TL;DR:Couples therapy isn’t always the miracle solution it’s made out to be. When sessions feel like venting without structure, stir up more conflict, or fail to teach new tools, therapy can sometimes do more harm than good. Research shows that therapy outcomes depend heavily on […]
Marriage Intensive vs. Traditional Therapy: Deep Breakthroughs in Days
When your marriage is in crisis, every day can magnify the pain. Yet, typical weekly sessions may feel like a slow trickle of progress that aren’t actually effective. While regular couples therapy can be helpful for some, it often struggles to break through entrenched patterns that can be contributing to a marriage crisis. A one-hour […]
When to Quit Couples Therapy: 5 Signs It’s Doing More Harm Than Good
Couples therapy is often seen as the last-ditch effort to save a relationship. But what if it’s not helping? What if it’s making things worse? If you’re wondering when to quit couples therapy, you’re not alone—and your instincts may be trying to tell you something important. At The Marriage Restoration Project, we believe therapy should […]
Is Couples Therapy a Last Resort? Why Waiting Too Long Could Hurt Your Relationship
Many couples ask us one of the most common relationship questions online: “Is couples therapy a last resort?” At The Marriage Restoration Project, our answer is clear and compassionate: No. Couples therapy isn’t just for relationships that are falling apart. It’s one of the most powerful tools for any couple—whether you’re dating, engaged, newly married, […]
How Often Should a Couple Go to Couples Therapy?
When your relationship is struggling, it’s natural to wonder: How often should we be in couples therapy? Weekly? Monthly? Ongoing? Forever? At The Marriage Restoration Project, we believe couples therapy shouldn’t last forever. In fact, our mission is to help couples graduate—not stay stuck in therapy for years. Our approach, rooted in Imago Relationship Therapy, […]