Marriage Intensives & Online Counseling | Imago Therapy โ€“ The Marriage Restoration Project

How to Work on Solving Marriage Problems Together as a Team

Most couples aren’t working together as a joint effort.

When marriage problems surface, it can feel like you’re on opposite sides of a never-ending argument. But what if the key to solving marriage problems wasnโ€™t about choosing whoโ€™s rightโ€”but about choosing to be on the same team? You’re in the right place if you want to work on solving marriage problems together rather than separately- which can be quite counter productive.

Thatโ€™s the foundation of our approach to marriage restoration. With decades of experience helping couples reconnect, Rabbi Shlomo’s method focuses on teamwork, empathy, and intentional communicationโ€”because marriage healing happens when both partners lean in, together.

Why Solving Marriage Problems Together Matters

Many couples make the mistake of trying to โ€œfixโ€ their spouse instead of understanding the root causes of their disconnection. But marriage help for both partners begins when you both decide to stop pointing fingers and start reaching out.

Marriage isnโ€™t 50/50โ€”itโ€™s 100/100. Both partners must commit fully to the process of growth, healing, and change.

Why Seeing a Therapist Separately Doesn’t Work

A common pitfall couples fall intoโ€”even with professional helpโ€”is working on their relationship individually. Many marriage counselors still see partners separately or alternate sessions between them.

But hereโ€™s what we know:
Marriage isnโ€™t about fixing two broken peopleโ€”itโ€™s about healing the space between them.

โ€œYou canโ€™t repair a relationship in isolation. The transformation happens in the connection.โ€ โ€” Rabbi Shlomo

When therapy is divided, partners may feel heardโ€”but theyโ€™re not learning how to hear each other. It becomes about venting, not connecting. Analyzing each personโ€™s behavior misses the core issue: the breakdown in the relational dynamic.

Thatโ€™s why we work with couples together, in real-time, guiding them through structured, connective conversations that rebuild trust and intimacy.

Couples that work together create a safe space for communication.

The first pillar of Rabbi Shlomoโ€™s approach is safety. You cannot open up emotionally when you feel attacked, judged, or ignored.

  • What to do: Set aside regular, structured time to talkโ€”without distractions, phones, or multitasking.
  • Why it works: This signals to your partner, โ€œYou matter. Iโ€™m here. Iโ€™m listening.โ€

Rabbi Shlomo guides couples to communicate without criticism or blame. He teaches you to mirror each otherโ€™s words, validate emotions, and express empathy. This isnโ€™t just talkingโ€”itโ€™s connecting.

Couples that solve problems together learn to see the pattern, not just the problem

Instead of focusing on isolated arguments, identify the deeper patterns that keep showing up.

  • What to ask: โ€œWhat cycle are we stuck in? Whatโ€™s the underlying fear or unmet need thatโ€™s driving this?โ€
  • What youโ€™ll uncover: Often, recurring marriage problems are really defense mechanisms we learned long before marriageโ€”like withdrawing to avoid conflict or becoming critical to feel in control.

Healing begins when you both stop blaming and start noticing your dance.

Couples wanting to work on things together rebuild trust through consistent, intentional action

Trust isnโ€™t restored with promisesโ€”itโ€™s rebuilt with consistency.

  • What to do: Choose small, loving actions that show your partner you’re serious about change. This might mean following through on commitments, apologizing without excuses, or simply checking in emotionally each day.
  • Why it matters: Trust grows when words and actions matchโ€”again and again.

This is how you begin to feel safe with each other again.

Couples working together to solve things prioritize the relationshipโ€”not just the problems

Itโ€™s easy to become obsessed with fixing whatโ€™s broken. Couples need to also nourish whatโ€™s working.

  • What to try: Reignite shared rituals, playful connection, and appreciation.
  • Why it helps: Focusing only on problems drains hope. Investing in joy creates momentum for healing.

By remembering what brought you together, you give your relationship the oxygen it needs to thrive.

Couples look for marriage friendly support that honors the relationship space-both of youโ€”At the Same Time

Sometimes, working on marriage problems together means inviting in someone trained to hold space for both of youโ€”without taking sides.

Thatโ€™s what we offer through The Marriage Restoration Projectโ€™s Private 2-Day Marriage Retreats. These intensives give couples the tools, time, and guidance to break toxic patterns and create lasting connectionโ€”all in just two transformative days. They are truly the best way to work on solving marriage problems together with just the both of you and a therapist.

This is not therapy as usual. Youโ€™re not working on yourself separately. Youโ€™re working on the usโ€”together.

Final Thoughts: Saving Your Marriage As a Team

Working on your marriage doesn’t mean pretending everything is okay. It means being brave enough to say, “Weโ€™re not okayโ€”but we want to be.” And then doing the workโ€”together.

If you’re ready to stop going in circles and start rebuilding as a team, Rabbi Shlomoโ€™s approach may be the turning point you’ve been looking for.

Want Help Solving Marriage Problems Together?

Explore our Marriage Retreats, Online Marriage School, or contact us to talk through next steps. You don’t have to do this aloneโ€”and you shouldnโ€™t.

Picture of Shlomo & Rivka Slatkin

Shlomo & Rivka Slatkin

Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin is an Imago relationship therapist and certified (master level) Imago workshop presenter with over 20 years of experience hosting couples therapy retreats in-person and online.

Picture of Shlomo & Rivka Slatkin

Shlomo & Rivka Slatkin

Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin is an Imago relationship therapist and certified (master level) Imago workshop presenter with over 20 years of experience hosting couples therapy retreats in-person and online.

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