Looking for a Marriage Encounter-Style Retreat—Without the Religious Focus?
If you’ve been researching Marriage Encounter retreats or Hold Me Tight® workshops, you may have noticed that most are designed for Christian or Catholic couples seeking a faith-based experience.
But what if you’re looking for something more inclusive—something that offers the same deep emotional connection, communication tools, and renewal of love, but without a specific religious framework?
That’s where our Marriage Encounter-style Marriage Enrichment Retreat comes in.
At The Marriage Restoration Project, we offer a powerful, research-based retreat experience grounded in Imago Relationship Therapy—a framework that helps couples of all backgrounds rebuild connection, safety, and intimacy.
What Is a Marriage Enrichment Retreat?
A marriage enrichment retreat is an immersive experience designed to help couples reconnect emotionally, improve communication, and reignite intimacy.
Unlike traditional weekly therapy, a retreat allows you to spend two intensive days focusing solely on your relationship—away from distractions and everyday stressors.
While traditional Marriage Encounter weekends emphasize faith and spiritual renewal, our retreats focus on:
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Strengthening communication through Imago dialogue
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Understanding the real reasons behind recurring conflict
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Healing emotional wounds that create distance
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Rebuilding safety, connection, and passion
(Related reading: Marriage Counseling Retreat vs. Weekly Therapy)
Who Should Attend a Marriage Encounter-Style Retreat?
This type of couples retreat benefits a wide range of relationships. It’s for you if:
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You’re beginning a new relationship and want to build a strong foundation to avoid repeating past mistakes.
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You’re in a good marriage but want to take it from good to great—deepening your understanding and emotional connection.
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You’re in a difficult or disconnected relationship and want to resolve long-standing issues in a structured, safe space.
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You’re on the brink of separation or divorce and need clarity about whether your relationship can heal.
Even if you’re unsure about the future, a retreat can bring clarity, closure, or renewed commitment.
(Explore: Last Chance Marriage Repair Retreat)
What Makes Our Retreats Different from Marriage Encounter?
While both types of retreats help couples reconnect, our approach is non-denominational and science-based.
Marriage Encounter = Faith-based, rooted in Christian teachings
The Marriage Restoration Project’s Retreat = Relationship-based, grounded in Imago Relationship Therapy
Key differences:
| Aspect | Marriage Encounter | Our Imago-Based Retreat |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Spiritual renewal | Emotional healing and communication |
| Audience | Christian/Catholic couples | All couples (religious or secular) |
| Format | Group workshops | Private 2-day intensives or small workshops |
| Outcome | Deepened faith connection | Restored intimacy, safety, and understanding |
What to Expect from Our Marriage Enrichment Retreat
During the two-day experience, you’ll:
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Learn a structured way to communicate that removes blame and defensiveness
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Discover what triggers disconnection and how to rebuild safety
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Understand how past wounds show up in your marriage—and how to heal them together
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Leave with practical tools to maintain connection long after the retreat ends
Our retreats include 8 follow-up sessions to integrate everything you’ve learned into daily life—because transformation doesn’t end when the weekend does.
(See: Getting the Love You Want Workshop)
The Bottom Line: A Safe, Proven Path for Every Couple
When researching the best marriage retreats, focus on safety, training, and experience. A great retreat gives you more than inspiration—it gives you the tools to create lasting change.
At The Marriage Restoration Project, we’ve guided thousands of couples through breakthrough experiences that rebuild love and trust—without blame, shame, or religious overtones.
Whether you’re newlyweds, long-term partners, or struggling to reconnect, this Marriage Encounter-style retreat can help you rediscover what brought you together and learn how to love more consciously.
Key Takeaways
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Marriage Encounter-style retreats help couples of all backgrounds reconnect.
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Imago-based retreats focus on emotional safety and communication, not religious doctrine.
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Perfect for couples in any stage—healing, reconnecting, or rebuilding.
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Our 2-Day Retreat + 8-Week follow-up model ensures long-term transformation.
About the Author
Written by Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, MS, LCPC, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Advanced Imago Relationship Therapist. Founder of The Marriage Restoration Project, Rabbi Slatkin helps couples worldwide heal disconnection and restore hope through private intensives and Imago workshops.
Sources
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Hendrix, H. & LaKelly Hunt, H. (1988). Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples. St. Martin’s Press.
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The Marriage Restoration Project. “Getting the Love You Want Couples Workshop.”
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The Marriage Restoration Project. “Marriage Counseling Retreat vs. Weekly Therapy.”
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Gottman, J. (1999). The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Harmony Books.
