Do Marriage Retreats Really Work? Especially Marriage Intensives & Weekend Couples Therapy Retreats?
Many couples wonder: “Do marriage retreats really work — or is it just another quick fix?” Here’s why we think Intensive Weekend Marriage Retreats Beat Weekly Counseling Every Time. The truth is, retreats aren’t magic. But for many couples, they provide something weekly counseling can’t: an immersive reset, uninterrupted time to reconnect, and a framework […]
How Emotional Neglect Experienced in Childhood Affects Our Relationships as Adults
Did you or your spouse face emotional neglect as a child? Are you concerned that emotional trauma from your past could be contributing to the conflict you’re experiencing in your marriage today? The parallels between the things you experienced in your childhood and how you behave in your your adult life are unmistakable. People who experience emotional […]
Overcoming Intimacy Issues Caused by Childhood Trauma
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration1 (SAMHSA) more than 2 in 3 children experience at least one traumatic event by the time they turn 16. SAMSHA’s examples of potentially traumatizing experiences range from psychological, physical, and sexual abuse to national disasters, neglect, and serious accidents or life-threatening illnesses. These examples are […]
Define Infidelity-Types of Cheating & How they can Affect Relationships
Infidelity occurs when someone has an emotional, financial, romantic, or sexual relationship with someone other than one’s husband, wife, or partner in a monogamous relationship. Experiencing infidelity can be incredibly nuanced, painful, and frightening for any couple going through it. Couples often disagree about what constitutes cheating, which is why we encourage couples to discuss this […]
Do You Have to Beg your Spouse for Attention? Learn Tips for a Closer Connection Without Seeming Needy
Do you ever feel invisible in your own marriage—like you have to beg your husband or wife just to notice you? Maybe you’ve caught yourself dropping hints, getting frustrated, or even pulling away because you’re tired of asking for affection and not receiving it. You’re not alone. Feeling neglected by your spouse is one of […]
How to rebuild trust in a relationship after betrayal
Listen to the episode below for insight into healing a relationship when trust is broken. Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:41 — 11.6MB) | EmbedSubscribe: Spotify | Android | Email | Deezer | RSS | More
Guide to Reconnecting with Your Husband or Wife After a Fight
Every couple argues — it’s part of being human. You’re two unique people trying to share a life, and that means there will be moments of disagreement, frustration, or misunderstanding. What matters most isn’t whether you fight — it’s how you repair afterward.When you know how to reconnect after conflict, even heated arguments can become […]
Sending, Receiving, and Growing: Getting the Most Out of Imago Therapy
Our team of marriage counselors help couples from all walks of life rediscover relationship growth, joy, and a deeper connection. We do this using Imago couples therapy, a comprehensive and thoughtfully structured approach to counseling that truly helps people feel seen, heard, validated, and loved by their partners. If you and your spouse have been thinking […]
What If My Spouse Won’t Come to Counseling? 4 Practical Steps to Try
One of the most common questions we hear is: “What do I do if my spouse refuses marriage counseling?” It can feel discouraging when one partner is open to seeking help while the other is resistant. Maybe your spouse had a bad experience in the past. Maybe they don’t believe therapy works. Or maybe they […]
Can a Joint Bank Account Make Your Marriage Better & Last Longer?
Money is one of the most emotionally charged topics in marriage. Some couples feel closer when they share everything — including a bank account. Others prefer financial independence. So which approach builds a stronger, longer-lasting relationship? Recent research suggests that couples who pool their money experience greater trust, connection, and stability than those who keep […]
Are trial separations a good idea? Do trial separations really work?
Podcast Episode with Rabbi Shlomo & Rivka Slatkin, Founders of The Marriage Restoration Project Are Trial Separations Good for a Marriage? Short answer: A trial separation may sound like a way to “reset” your relationship—but in most cases, it makes reconnection harder, not easier. As therapists, we’re often asked: “Should we try a trial separation […]
4 Ways to Enjoy Better Communication in Marriage for Better Connection: Are You Making These Communication Mistakes?
Are you and your spouse struggling to communicate without fighting, shutting down, or feeling misunderstood? You’re not alone. Communication challenges are one of the biggest reasons couples feel disconnected in their marriage. The good news: communication is a skill you can learn — and when you do, the connection, intimacy, and teamwork return. In this […]
Why Curiosity Matters in a Marriage
Most of us are aware that the honeymoon phase in relationships doesn’t last forever. The good news? It doesn’t have to! You and your spouse can enjoy life together in a loving relationship without experiencing the blinding enamor felt in the honeymoon phase. The goal of this article is to explain why keeping a sense of curiosity […]
Is There Something Wrong With Going to Couples Therapy? 4 Things Therapists Want You to Know First
If you’re thinking about going to marriage therapy, you might quietly be asking yourself: Does this mean something is wrong with my relationship? Many couples are asking the question, “Is there something wrong with going to couples therapy?” You are NOT alone. Seeking therapy is often a sign of strength, not failure. The reason your […]
Supporting Your Spouse During Stressful Times: How to Stay Connected When Life Gets Hard
All of us face stressful seasons in life. But lately, challenges feel especially heavy—world conflict, financial uncertainty, health concerns. Even if the stress isn’t directly about your marriage, outside pressures inevitably spill over into the relationship. In times like these, marriage matters more than ever. Your partner should be a safe haven—a source of comfort, […]
Fantasizing About Not Being Married? 3 Signs It’s Time for Marriage Counseling
Don’t wait to get help with your marriage, especially if your relationship has become so unhappy that you’re thinking about what it would be like if you were not married to your spouse. Our colleague, psychologist and relationship researcher Dr. John Gottman, once observed that it takes couples an average of six years1 of unhappiness before […]
My Husband Treats Me Like I Don’t Matter: How to Rebuild Love and Respect in Your Marriage
Few things hurt more than feeling invisible to the person who once made you feel seen.When your husband dismisses your opinions, ignores your needs, or treats you like you don’t matter, it’s natural to feel rejected, angry, and deeply lonely. But before you give up or spiral into hopelessness, know this: there are ways to […]
A Financial Inventory for Spouses: Money Questions for Couples (Without the Pressure)
As a licensed couples therapist (Imago-informed, no-blame/no-shame), I see it every week: money isn’t just math—it’s meaning (safety, fairness, freedom, identity). That’s why money talks can feel so charged. The goal here is not to give you a rigid plan; it’s to open a safer, deeper conversation, and—when trust has been nicked by financial infidelity—to […]
Is Social Media Harming Your Relationship?
Social media can be a gift and a curse, depending on how you use it—and to be sure, plenty of us use it. Many couples complain about their spouse’s excessive mobile phone usage and social media scrolling because it prevents them from connecting. What’s capturing their attention? Very often, it’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or other social media platforms. […]
Is a Disagreement with In-Laws Affecting Your Marriage?
In-law relationships can have a significant impact on a marriage. That’s why conflict with in-laws requires a united front that puts your marital relationship before the relationship you have with your parents. Perhaps you’ve experienced varying levels of joy and tension while interacting with your mother-in-law or father-in-law. But when the dynamics between spouses and […]