Short, practical, zero dogma—skills you’ll use on day one.
Why Premarital Prep Often Falls Flat
Most premarital counseling programs lean heavily on religious frameworks or stay surface-level—covering topics like budgeting, kids, or chores without giving you real tools to handle conflict. If you’re not looking for sermons or lectures, that can feel irrelevant. And if you’ve already been together for years, you don’t want a repeat of things you already know.
That’s why a secular premarital retreat is so valuable. It’s a practical, evidence-based approach to premarital counseling without religion—created by Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, LCPC, a licensed clinical professional counselor, certified Imago faculty trainer, and published author with 20+ years of experience. Shlomo has personally trained therapists across the U.S., Canada, UK, and France to deliver this same consistent, non-religious premarital counseling format.
The 1–2 Day Game Plan
Instead of months of generic premarital classes, this retreat is short, focused, and skill-heavy. Developed by Shlomo after decades of clinical practice, it condenses six months of therapy into two transformative days.
- Day 1 Morning: Learn structured communication tools that stop fights from spiraling.
- Day 1 Afternoon: Identify hidden triggers, old wounds, and the patterns that could derail your marriage if left unchecked.
- Day 2: Practice the skills in real conversations, rebuild emotional safety, and create your personal marriage roadmap.
By the end, you’ll walk away with a practical toolkit to manage stress, repair conflict, and stay connected—even when things get tough.
Why Secular Matters
This isn’t about shared faith or dogma—it’s about shared skills. Whether you’re:
- Interfaith
- Spiritual but not religious
- Or simply not interested in church-based programs
…a non-religious premarital retreat meets you where you are. Every session is grounded in psychology, neuroscience, and clinical expertise—not doctrine. Whether you attend in Baltimore, Los Angeles, New York, Kitchener (Ontario), London, or virtually, you’ll experience the same consistent methodology.
What You’ll Actually Get Out of It
- Confidence that you can navigate future conflicts without blowing up
- A clear understanding of each other’s needs and triggers
- A roadmap for intimacy, not just avoiding divorce
- The peace of mind knowing you invested in your relationship before marriage begins
These outcomes are consistent because every clinician is personally trained by Shlomo, ensuring quality across all locations.
Why 1–2 Days Works Better Than Weekly Sessions
Weekly therapy or premarital classes often feel rushed—you barely scratch the surface before the clock runs out. In an intensive format, you have hours of uninterrupted time to dig deep and practice. What might take 6 months in weekly sessions happens in just 1–2 days.
This is why couples from Baltimore to Vancouver and even London choose intensives—they want real progress, not endless “check-ins.”
Couples nowadays also want to work on their baggage so that they can enter into their committed relationships very self aware, having done a lot of work on their childhood wounds or past relationship trauma. Our intensive premarital retreats help couples do just that.
FAQs About Secular Premarital Retreats
How is a secular premarital retreat different from traditional premarital counseling?
Traditional programs often have a religious or moral framework. A secular retreat is 100% skills-based, grounded in clinical psychology, and doesn’t assume shared beliefs.
Can we do this before we’re officially engaged?
Yes. Many couples attend while dating seriously or considering engagement. It’s about building skills that prepare you for marriage, no matter the stage.
What topics are covered?
Communication, conflict repair, identifying triggers, intimacy, rebuilding emotional safety, and long-term planning. Money, family, and parenting issues naturally emerge through these conversations.
Is one day really enough?
One day gives you core tools; a second day deepens the practice. Most couples choose the 2-day format for maximum transformation.
Is there a virtual option?
Yes. Couples who can’t travel can attend a virtual premarital retreat with the same structure and licensed therapist guidance.
How much does it cost?
Pricing varies by location and whether you choose a group or private retreat. All packages include follow-up sessions. It’s a concentrated investment in therapy, led by experienced clinicians personally trained by Shlomo.
Key Takeaway
Marriage prep should be more than a checklist. A secular premarital retreat gives you a short, practical, no-dogma experience that actually equips you for real married life. Available in Baltimore, New York, Los Angeles, London, Kitchener (Ontario), and beyond, with both in-person and virtual options, every program is clinician-led, evidence-based, and designed for lasting impact.
👉 Explore our premarital retreat options to see available dates and locations.
Sources
- Brooklyn College – Is Premarital Counseling or Education for You?
- Brnow – As Secular Couples Warm Up to Premarital Counseling, Differences Remain
- Couples Therapy Inc – Eight Ways That Make a Couples Therapy Retreat Non-Religious
- Growing Self – Non-Religious Premarital Counseling / Secular Premarital Counseling
- WeddingWire – Premarital Counseling Is a Must—Even If You’re Not Religious
- MarriageQuest – Objective & Non-Religious Marriage Retreats
