What Makes Marriage Counseling Retreats Different from Weekly Counseling?
For any couple who is going through a rough patch in their marriage, they are likely considering what to do next. Although frightening and uncomfortable, realizing that your relationship might be in need of help is the first step towards making positive change. Oftentimes, the next step involves reaching out to a licensed therapist to […]
Can having kids ruin a relationship? What we WISH we would have known about having children and our marriage.
Can having kids ruin a relationship? What we WISH we would have known about having children and our marriage. In this episode, we explore the immense strain that having children can place on marriages. With parents ranking as the most stressed adult population in the U.S., we dive into the challenges that arise in relationships, […]
A Getaway to Restore Your Marriage: Upcoming Intensives & Retreats
When you’re at (or near) a breaking point, even admitting “we need help” can feel huge. The good news: choosing the right container—often an intensive retreat—can compress months of progress into days and give you a clear plan forward. Key Takeaways (read this first) Faster progress: Retreats bundle 6–8 hours/day of focused work so you […]
Intensive Marriage Counseling: What It Is, Who It’s For, and How to Start
It hurts to admit when your marriage isn’t working the way you hoped. Whether you’re drained by time/energy pressures or navigating something heavier—like betrayal or grief—there is a path back. The turning point for most couples? Admitting you need help and choosing the right kind of support—often a seasoned marriage counselor.¹ What Is Intensive Marriage […]
Rediscover Love with Maryland’s Premier Marriage Counseling Services
BLOG Rediscover Love with Maryland’s Premier Marriage Counseling Services Are you and your partner facing challenges in your relationship? At The Marriage Restoration Project in Maryland, we’re here to help you navigate through tough times and rekindle your love. Our dedicated team specializes in Imago Therapy, offering tailored sessions designed to strengthen your bond and […]
Couples Counseling Retreats: What to Expect and How to Prepare
If you’re considering a couples counseling retreat or intensive marriage therapy, you may be wondering: what exactly happens—and how do we prepare? Many couples search for answers like ‘what should I expect at a marriage retreat’ or ‘how to get ready for couples counseling.’ This guide will walk you through both. As we age and […]
[Podcast episode] What to Do When You and Your Spouse Disagree on Politics
Key Takeaways Political differences in marriage don’t have to be make-or-break issues. Disagreements become destructive when they are handled with reactivity instead of curiosity. Learning to separate identity from ideology helps partners avoid personalizing differences. Respect, empathy, and boundaries are essential tools when spouses disagree on politics. Strong marriages are built on shared values of […]
Rediscover Love with Maryland’s Premier Marriage Counseling & Retreats
Are you and your partner facing challenges in your relationship? At The Marriage Restoration Project based in Baltimore, Frederick, Harford and Howard County, Maryland, we specialize in helping couples break through the stuck places in their relationship. Through Imago Relationship Therapy, private counseling, and intensive marriage retreats, we give couples the tools to rebuild trust, […]
I have different priorities and goals than my partner. Do your couples goals not match?!
It’s very tempting to think you aren’t on the same page anymore as your partner. Your goals and priorities are just too different. And that makes sense, after all, you might have some real disagreements about some hot button issues. 🔥🔥 ✅ Sometimes though, your goals ARE a match to your partners’ but there has […]
[Podcast Episode] Healing Relationship Anxiety & Generational Trauma
Key Takeaways Why Anxiety in Relationships Runs So Deep We are wounded in relationships — often in childhood — and those wounds shape how we show up as adults. If our parents struggled with anxiety passed down from their own parents, they may not have been able to fully attune to our needs. This isn’t […]
[Podcast Episode] What Stage of Relationship or Marriage Are You In?
Key Takeaways Why Understanding the Stages of Marriage Matters Every relationship evolves. Knowing which stage you’re in can: Psychologists like Harville Hendrix (Getting the Love You Want) and John Gottman (The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work) emphasize that relationships go through predictable phases. Couples who understand the stages of marriage are better prepared to […]
Respond vs. React: How No-Blame, No-Shame Communication Can Transform Your Marriage
By Rivka Slatkin, Co-Founder of The Marriage Restoration Project I’ll be honest—I find it really hard to respond vs. react. It takes effort to use conscious, compassionate communication instead of falling back on my default reaction—especially when I’m tired, hungry, or feeling threatened. But here’s the truth: nothing “forces” us to grow more than marriage […]
What’s Really Going on Behind the Scenes of the Therapy World…from the Wife of a Marriage Counselor!
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly. I can reveal a bit more than my husband Shlomo can (therapist) about what’s REALLY going on behind the scenes in the therapy world as the wife of a therapist and not having the limitations of being one myself. It’s so wonderful that we are in a world where […]
How to Constructively Communicate Your Frustration(s) to Your Spouse: A Close Look at the Imago Dialogue
Let’s talk about something that happens in all relationships at one point or another – feeling frustrated with your spouse. Communicating Effectively Using Imago It’s perfectly normal. Whether it’s how many times each of you cook dinner over the week, messes left uncleaned or the bigger stuff like feeling undervalued or overlooked, these frustrations can […]
Marriage Counseling Can Make Things Worse – This is How to Make Sure it Won’t Deepen Your Relationship Issues
What happens if your genuine attempt at saving your marriage – investing your time and money in traditional weekly couples’ therapy – actually exacerbates your relationship issues and makes things worse? This unsettling scenario is more common than one might think, as traditional counseling approaches can sometimes deepen misunderstandings, foster partiality, and leave couples feeling […]
Stuck in the Imago Minimizer/Maximizer Communication Pattern Trap?
In marriages, the minimizer/maximizer dynamic describes how partners respond to stress and conflict: minimizers tend to withdraw, while maximizers seek engagement and expression. This difference in communication styles in conflict can lead to misunderstandings and tension if not properly managed. The Minimizer/Maximizer Relationship Dynamic is Common in High Conflict Marriages If you’re in a relationship […]
Improving Marriage Intimacy by Embracing the Differing Needs of Men & Women in Relationships
The road toward true relationship intimacy can be a long and winding one full of curves, highs, and lows. The unconditional acceptance, reciprocal love and affection in a truly intimate marriage relationship is the ultimate prize worth fighting for. When the initial romance wanes, and it does in all relationships, it’s time to get to […]
Deepening the Connection: The Imago Way to a Conscious Marriage (part 2)
In Part 1 of “Choosing Each Other Again: The Imago Way to a Conscious Marriage“ we explored the crucial role of choosing your partner every day to maintain a strong and healthy relationship. We introduced how Imago Relationship Therapy helps couples understand the reasons behind their initial attraction and provides them with practical strategies to […]
Is this Your Marriage? Take the Maximizer or Minimizer Quiz and Get a Helpful Assessment of the State Your Relationship!
Did the Maximizer/Minimizer dynamic feel familiar to you? It’s based on Imago Therapy’s turtles and hailstorm dynamic which is a relief for so many couples to discover. If these quiz questions describe your relationship we can help you! All of our programs (workshops, courses, private intensive counseling address and explore how to fix it through […]
Choosing Each Other Again: The Imago Way to a Conscious Marriage
Is Imago Therapy Right for You? If you’ve ever thought: “Did I marry the right person?” “We keep having the same fight over and over.” “Counseling didn’t work for us in the past.” …you’re not alone. These doubts are not only normal but, in Imago Therapy, they’re actually a signpost: an invitation to rediscover why […]