When it comes to the most important relationships in our lives, like our marriage, it’s often easy to become complacent and take things for granted. Life can quickly get in the way of spending quality time together and you can settle into a routine that simply gets you through your day. But this can be damaging in the long run, leading to disconnection between couples and the feeling that your relationship is hitting a sticking point or is becoming stale.
For those who are interested in renewing a stagnant marriage or relationship, deciding that you might need help is the first step, which is much harder than it may seem. The next step might be a bit daunting – reaching out for help. This can involve everything from speaking to a trusted friend to taking the plunge into marriage counseling. For any couples who are interested in a more in-depth renewal of their relationship, a weekend marriage counseling session might be the right step to take.
But what is a couples weekend counseling session, and how does it work? How can a couples retreat help my relationship? What should I expect from weekend marriage counseling? If you’re curious about rebuilding this type of super-charged relationship and not sure where to start, we’re happy to help. Keep reading everything you need to know about weekend marriage counseling sessions and what to expect if you choose to attend one.
What is a Weekend Marriage Counseling Session?
Before we dive into the details of how weekend marriage counseling sessions work and can help rebuild relationships, let’s first discuss what they actually are. This type of condensed, more intense couples therapy differs from traditional marriage counseling in that it occurs over a single weekend with longer, more intensive sessions rather than over several months for an hour or so a week. With this type of marriage counseling, couples will work through any roadblocks and stumbling points in their relationship with one-on-one counseling from a licensed couples therapist for several hours at a time. This often allows for more focus and healing to occur over a single session.
In addition to the intensity of the counseling sessions, weekend marriage therapy often also involves travel to a new location. This can help reset the minds of the couple, allowing them freedom from their everyday worries and anxieties. In turn, this opens up more ability to focus and also inspires them to really get to work on their relationship. Traveling to a new location for a marriage counseling retreat also creates opportunities for couples to create new happy memories that will continue to bring them together.
What Should I Expect From a Weekend Marriage Counseling Session?
After deciding to go all-in on rebuilding your relationship with a weekend marriage counseling retreat, you may be curious about what to expect from the retreat itself. While many weekend marriage counseling sessions differ between providers, there are a few standard practices that you can expect.
Intense, One-On-One Work
First and foremost, any weekend couples retreat is going to involve a lot of work. It’s more than just deciding to attend and going to the counseling sessions – these retreats involve focus and dedication to rebuilding your relationship. You’ll spend long hours together working on different aspects of your marriage alongside an experienced counselor who can keep you on the right track toward relationship renewal.
An Immersive Experience
Because many of these retreats are conducted away from home, they often involve a fully immersive experience. You and your partner will be in a new location and participating in longer counseling sessions either just together or with other couples. These sessions will involve full dedication and cooperation of mind, body and soul in order to succeed.
Time to Spend with Your Partner
In addition to time spent in counseling with your partner, most, if not all, marriage counseling retreats include scheduled ‘downtime.’ The purpose of this free time is to encourage couples to explore the area around them and actively make new, exciting memories in this new location. This also gives couples who have been drifting apart the opportunity to spend quality one-on-one time together without the worry of other responsibilities or stressors.
How Do I Find the Right Weekend Marriage Counseling Retreat?
Now that we’ve identified what a weekend marriage counseling session actually is and what to expect if you are participating in one, let’s discuss how to find the right one for you. The first step is to decide where you would like to have this session conducted. Would you prefer to do it virtually or from your own home? Or would a change of scenery and travel help you better focus?
Once you identify the type of marriage counseling session you’re looking for, the next step is to begin your search. Looking online is always a great source of information, but always make sure to vet the information that you do find. Word-of-mouth recommendations are always the golden standard for finding amazing marriage counseling options, so always look for verified reviews and, if you’re not afraid to, ask your close friends and family members for their recommendations.
Additionally, it’s important to look for marriage counseling retreats run by licensed professionals who have training and expertise in working with couples. Not all licensed professionals are trained in couples work, so do ask what couples therapy modality they may practice or have training in. Expertise and experience are key if you want to really rebuild the foundation of your relationship for the long term. Also, if you are religious, you can also always look for an option that is religiously affiliated.
Take the Plunge Into Marriage Counselling
When it comes to renewing a stagnant relationship, taking the plunge into marriage counseling is the right step to take. For those who are interested in a more personal and in-depth jump-start to their relationship, a weekend marriage counseling session might be the right option. This condensed relationship counseling occurs over a single weekend with longer sessions rather than over several months for an hour a week. Oftentimes, this type of counseling is more intense and offers more immediate results that last.
Ready to take the next step in reinvigorating your marriage with a Couples Counseling Retreat? Contact us to speak to a Marriage Counselor, and we’ll be happy to help you get started with our Getting the Love You Want Marriage Retreat.
