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 […]
Are marriage intensives worth it?
When your marriage feels like it’s hanging by a thread, every day can feel unbearable. You’ve tried talking, maybe even months of weekly counseling, but nothing seems to change. That’s when many couples start searching for something different—something stronger, faster, and more focused. That’s where marriage intensives come in. But are they really worth the […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
[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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Do we still believe in marriage?
In 2017 I published an article called “How My Therapist Destroyed My Marriage“. It was pretty controversial. I got a lot of “hate mail” from other therapists. Others Have Experienced Nightmarish Marriage Counseling Fails as Well I must admit that I felt a little intimidated until my phone started ringing (and still does) with those […]
How to Apologize to Your Spouse Effectively: Healing Through Imago Therapy Techniques
Navigating the Path to Sincere Apologies In every marriage, the journey is filled with moments of joy and challenges, where the words we choose and the way we communicate can either build bridges or walls between us. Apologizing to your spouse, a simple yet profound act, often becomes a stumbling block for many couples. It’s […]