Do Marriage Retreats Really Work? What Research and Real Couples Say

Many couples wonder: “Do marriage retreats really work — or is it just another quick fix?”

The truth is, retreats aren’t magic. But for many couples, they provide something weekly counseling can’t: an immersive reset, uninterrupted time to reconnect, and a safe framework for repairing trust.

This past weekend, 12 couples attended our Getting the Love You Want marriage retreat in Baltimore. Some came skeptical, others desperate, all of them unsure what would happen. By the end of the retreat, every couple walked away with:

• Renewed hope for the future of their marriage

• Concrete communication tools they could use immediately

• A deeper sense of emotional safety and connection

It’s proof that when given the right environment, couples can create breakthroughs in just days — not months.

Why Couples Choose Retreats Over Weekly Therapy

Many of the couples at our retreat had already tried weekly counseling but felt stuck. Here’s why retreats often work better:

• Weekly sessions are too short. In 50 minutes, one spouse may barely start opening up before the clock runs out.

• Sessions often stay in “triage mode.” Most of the time is spent rehashing the latest fight rather than working on root issues.

• Reluctant spouses are more willing. A one-time, structured weekend feels less overwhelming than an indefinite therapy commitment.

That’s why couples retreats like Getting the Love You Want are designed to go deeper, faster.

Marriage Retreat vs Weekly Therapy: Which Works Better?

What Happens at a Marriage Retreat?

Unlike traditional therapy, retreats are immersive experiences held in safe, restorative settings. During a weekend retreat, couples often:

• Rediscover why they fell in love. Revisiting your story reignites affection and reminds you of your shared bond.

• Learn structured communication skills. Through the Imago Dialogue, couples practice speaking and listening without blame.

• See their partner in a new light. Understanding the childhood wounds and defenses behind behavior creates compassion.

• Leave with a plan. Couples walk away with a vision for their future and concrete daily practices to sustain growth.

As one past participant put it: “We walked in feeling like roommates on the verge of divorce. We left with hope, connection, and tools we wish we had learned years ago.”

Do Marriage Retreats Work for Infidelity?

This is one of the most common questions couples ask. Research shows that with structured support, many couples recover from infidelity and build stronger marriages than before (Snyder, Baucom, & Gordon, 2007).

Retreats provide the uninterrupted time needed to rebuild trust, practice transparency, and create new agreements for safety and intimacy.

Do Marriage Retreats Work Long-Term?

Skeptics often ask: “But will it last?”

Studies confirm that intensive formats can accelerate progress that might otherwise take months in weekly therapy (Hahlweg et al., 2010). When couples follow through on the daily practices they learn, many sustain the progress for years.

At The Marriage Restoration Project, we also provide follow-up support after retreats, because transformation deepens with ongoing care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage Retreats

❓ How long do marriage retreats last?
Most retreats run 2–3 days. Private intensives may be customized. The goal is to compress months of therapy into one immersive weekend.

❓ How much do marriage retreats cost?
Costs vary, but most couples view it as an investment compared to the financial and emotional toll of divorce.

❓ Do retreats work if only one spouse wants to attend?
It helps if both partners are open, but sometimes one spouse’s willingness inspires the other. Retreats often feel less threatening than ongoing therapy.

❓ Can marriage retreats save a marriage on the brink of divorce?
Yes — many couples attend as a last resort. Research and our own experience show that even high-conflict marriages can stabilize with the right support.

❓ What makes Getting the Love You Want different?
Our retreats use the Imago framework, developed by Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt, which helps couples see conflict as an opportunity for healing rather than as a dead end.

Key Takeaways

• Weekly therapy often isn’t enough. Time runs out quickly, leaving deeper issues untouched.

• Retreats accelerate breakthroughs. They compress months of therapy into a few days.

• Even reluctant spouses engage. The time-limited, immersive format feels safer than open-ended counseling.

• Research supports intensives. Studies confirm that immersive therapy creates faster, lasting progress.

• Couples leave with tools, hope, and connection. Retreats provide structure and a plan for the future.

Sources

• Baucom, D. H., et al. (2015). The efficacy of traditional versus integrative behavioral couple therapy for distressed couples. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

• Hahlweg, K., et al. (2010). Couples therapy as a treatment for marital distress: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.

• Snyder, D. K., Baucom, D. H., & Gordon, K. C. (2007). Getting Past the Affair. Guilford Press.

• Imago Relationships International. (2023). Imago Therapy Outcomes & Research.

🔗 Related Reading

• Should You Attend a Marriage Retreat to Save Your Marriage?

• Marriage Therapy Retreat Results: Can This Marriage Be Saved?

• The Magic of the Getting the Love You Want Workshop