Helping Kids Adjust in a Blended Family: The Most Difficult Ages (and What Parents Can Do)
Blending Families Affects Kids Too When I meet with couples in marriage counseling for blended families, one of the first concerns I hear is, “The kids just aren’t adjusting.” It’s not that they dislike the new spouse — it’s that everything in their world has changed. New rules. New routines. Sometimes a new house. And, […]
The 3 Most Common Problems in Blended Families — and How to Solve Them
Blending Families Takes More Than Love As a marriage counselor, I’ve seen that even the most loving blended families can struggle to find rhythm. You bring together two histories, two parenting styles, and two sets of children who didn’t choose this change. It’s a lot. Couples often come to me saying, “We didn’t think it […]
Why Blended Families Divorce More Often — and How to Beat the Odds
The Myth of “Second Time’s the Charm” If you’ve remarried and combined families, you probably hoped this time would be different — calmer, wiser, stronger. And yet, many couples are shocked to learn that 60–70% of second marriages involving children end in divorce. It’s not because remarried couples love less or try less. It’s because […]
What Is the Best Therapy for Blended Families?
Blending Families Is Harder Than It Looks As a marriage counselor, I’ve worked with countless couples who thought love alone would help their new blended family thrive. But soon after the honeymoon phase fades, they find themselves navigating a maze of parenting differences, loyalty conflicts, and emotional triggers left over from past relationships. Marriage counseling […]
Non-Denominational Marriage Counseling Intensives: A Practical Guide to Private, 2-Day Retreats
Couples usually Google “non-religious marriage counseling” or “secular marriage intensive” when weekly sessions feel too slow and a private couples therapy retreat (no group, no sermon) seems like the only way to break the cycle. This guide explains what a non-denominational couples therapy intensive is, who it helps, what a realistic two-day flow looks like, […]
Couples Therapy for Business Partners: A Flexible Way to Fix Cofounder Conflict
Key takeaways Why therapy for business partners works—even when it’s “just business” Founders fight about hiring, roadmap, or spend, but underneath is usually the talking pattern: harsh starts, interrupting, mind-reading, or advice given too soon. Adapting relationship science to the workplace helps you: Signs you might benefit What to expect (flexible, not one-size-fits-all) A good […]
Emergency Marriage Counseling: What to Do in the Next 72 Hours
If you’re searching for emergency marriage counseling, it probably means you’re standing at a crossroads — emotions are high, trust feels broken, and you don’t know what to do next.Maybe an argument got out of control, an affair just came to light, or one partner is saying “I’m done.” Before you make any final decisions, […]
Is It Too Late If We’re Already Considering Divorce?
Key Takeaways The “Point of No Return” Question When a marriage feels unbearable, many couples wonder: “Is it too late for us? Have we passed the point of no return?” If you’re already considering divorce, it may feel like there’s no hope left. But after working with thousands of couples across the world as an […]
Virtual Marriage Retreat for Divorce Prevention
Private Online Intensives That Help Couples Reconnect Before It’s Too Late “Virtual marriage retreats? … I would REALLY like to go on a marriage retreat, preferably one aimed at marriages in crisis. We would need one that’s virtual and not too intensive.” — Reddit user If you’re reading this, you may be asking the same […]
I Think I Ruined My Marriage — Is It Too Late to Save It?
When you wake up one day with the sinking thought, “I think I ruined my marriage,” it can feel like the beginning of the end. Maybe you said something you can’t take back, betrayed your spouse’s trust, or simply let distance and disconnection grow until the silence between you feels unbearable. But here’s the truth: […]
Marriage Cost Calculator: Divorce vs. Intensive – What’s the Real Price of Saving (or Losing) Your Marriage?
When your marriage feels like it’s at a breaking point, the choice can feel impossible: invest in fixing it, or walk away. But beyond the emotional toll, the financial cost of divorce vs. a marriage intensive is something many couples overlook. How much does divorce cost? Most people aren’t even sure. That’s why we created […]
Marriage Retreat Success Stories & Intensive Testimonials: What Couples Learned in Just 2 Days
When couples arrive at a marriage retreat or intensive, many are carrying years of hurt, unresolved conflict, or emotional distance. Some are in crisis, wondering if they should separate. Others simply want to rekindle what brought them together in the first place. What surprises most couples is how much change can happen in just two […]
What to Expect at a 2-Day Marriage Intensive (Sample Schedule)
Why Couples Choose an Intensive When your marriage feels stuck, weekly 50-minute therapy sessions can feel too slow. Just as the conversation starts to open up, the clock runs out — and couples leave frustrated, waiting another week to continue. A marriage intensive retreat compresses months of counseling into just two focused days. At The […]
How Much Does Divorce Cost vs. a Marriage Intensive?
The Real Price of Divorce When couples hit a breaking point, divorce can feel like the only option. But many people underestimate the financial, emotional, and relational toll divorce brings. According to the American Psychological Association and recent financial surveys, the average cost of divorce in the U.S. ranges from $15,000–$30,000 per spouse, depending on […]
Why Even Happy Couples Benefit from Marriage Intensives
Not Just for Couples in Crisis When people think of marriage intensives, they often imagine a last-ditch effort for couples on the brink of divorce. But the truth is, even happy couples can gain enormous value from these immersive experiences. A marriage intensive isn’t just about repairing broken trust — it’s about strengthening what’s already […]
Secular Premarital Retreat: A 1–2 Day Game Plan That Actually Preps You for Marriage
Short, practical, zero dogma—skills you’ll use on day one. Why Premarital Prep Often Falls Flat Most premarital counseling programs lean heavily on religious frameworks or stay surface-level—covering topics like budgeting, kids, or chores without giving you real tools to handle conflict. If you’re not looking for sermons or lectures, that can feel irrelevant. And if […]
DIY Marriage Retreat vs. Private Intensive: Which Is Right for Your Relationship?
When your marriage feels stuck, you may find yourself searching for “marriage retreat near me” or “intensive couples counseling.” But what if you don’t have $6,997 to invest in a private intensive—or can’t step away for a weekend with a therapist? That’s where DIY marriage retreats come in. For some couples, a structured, self-guided course […]
Is My Marriage Over? 5 Signs & What to Do Next
It’s one of the scariest questions a couple can ask: Is my marriage over? If you’re lying awake at night replaying fights, feeling alone in the same house, or wondering if you’ll ever get back to the way it used to be, you’re not alone. Many couples reach this painful crossroads. The good news? Hitting […]
Couples Retreats as a Reset for Parents of Young Children
In the early years of parenting, life moves fast and rest comes slowly. Between sleepless nights, tantrums, nap schedules, mounting expenses, and managing a household, it’s no wonder that romance, emotional intimacy, and connection between partners often fall by the wayside. If you and your partner have looked at each other and wondered when the […]
Best Marriage Retreats in 2025: Reconnect, Renew, and Rebuild
By Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, LCPC — Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Advanced Imago Relationship Therapist, and co-founder of The Marriage Restoration Project. For more than 20 years, he’s helped couples transform hopeless marriages into lasting connection through structured dialogue and emotional safety. Every couple deserves space to step away from daily pressures and focus on their relationship. […]