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 […]
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
Marriage Intensive vs Weekly Therapy: Which Works Faster to Save Your Relationship? When your marriage is in crisis, every day magnifies the pain. Weekly sessions often feel like a slow drip of progress, with momentum easily lost between appointments. Research shows that while traditional therapy helps many couples, short weekly sessions frequently struggle to break […]
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, […]
Individual vs. Couples Grief Work: What’s Best for Marriage?
Whether it’s losing a loved one, a job, health or even the life you expected, experiencing loss can shake the foundation of even the healthiest of marriages. It’s not just sadness; grief can create emotional wedges as partners withdraw, conversation falters and isolation grows. One may cope by immersing themselves in work, while another seeks […]
Can Conscious Uncoupling Work for High Conflict Couples?
When most people hear the term conscious uncoupling, they picture a mutual, peaceful split — not the emotional minefield you might be walking through right now. The slammed doors. The silence. The feeling that your partner has become a stranger — or an enemy. But what if your relationship is the opposite of that? What […]
How to Fix a High Conflict Relationship (Even If Nothing Else Has Worked)
If your relationship feels like a constant battleground — endless fighting, silent treatment, or walking on eggshells — you may wonder if there’s any hope left. Here’s the good news: you can fix a high conflict relationship. But it takes more than just talking things out or attending another therapy session that leaves you feeling […]
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Marriage Intensives: How They Help Couples Rebuild Trust
Relationships thrive on emotional connections. But when trust is broken or conflicts escalate, couples often find themselves emotionally withdrawn, stuck in repetitive arguments, or simply struggling to reconnect. These periods of disconnection can shatter intimacy and leave both partners feeling isolated.1 One proven method of resolving this cycle is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Developed in […]
Christian Marriage Retreats Near Me: Can Secular Ones Work Too?
Why Christian Couples Search for Faith-Based Retreats If you’re Googling “Christian marriage retreats near me,” you’re likely hoping for more than just sermons and prayer circles. You want your marriage to thrive. You want real healing, communication tools, and a therapist who understands that your faith and values are important. But what happens when the […]
Is online couples therapy as effective as in-person?
When couples decide to seek help for their relationship, one of the first questions is: “Should we do couples therapy online or in-person?” With the rise of teletherapy and virtual marriage retreats, many partners now weigh the pros and cons of both formats before making a decision. The good news? Both options can be highly […]
Is a Values-Based Secular Marriage Retreat the Right Fit for Your Relationship?
When couples face challenges in their marriage, many consider a faith-based retreat for its community and spiritual grounding. For others, a secular marriage retreat—one focused on evidence-based therapy and relationship skills without religious content—offers the same depth of healing in a different format. This isn’t about choosing one over the other out of criticism—it’s about […]