What 12 Couples Learned from the Getting the Love You Want Couples Therapy Weekend Workshop
This past weekend, 12 brave couples decided to try their luck at our Getting the Love You Want marriage retreat in Baltimore. Each couple came in with uncertainty, questions, and (in some cases) skepticism. What they all shared in common was a willingness to show up, take a risk, and invest in their marriage—even without knowing exactly what to expect.
By the end of the retreat, every couple walked away with:
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New hope for the future of their marriage
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Concrete communication tools they could use right away
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A deeper sense of emotional safety and connection
It’s proof that sometimes, what your relationship really needs isn’t more weekly sessions or endless rehashing of old arguments—it’s an immersive reset.
Why These Couples Chose a Marriage Retreat Over Weekly Therapy
Many couples who attended had already tried weekly counseling. They knew something more was needed.
Here’s why:
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Weekly sessions are too short. In a standard 50-minute therapy session, once one person starts opening up, the time is nearly gone. There’s rarely enough time for both partners to go deeper.
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Weekly therapy often stays in “triage mode.” Sessions get consumed by whatever fight happened that week. There’s little opportunity to work on the core issues beneath the surface.
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It’s easier for a reluctant spouse to commit. For some, an unwilling partner may be hesitant about ongoing therapy—but a structured, time-limited retreat feels more doable and less overwhelming.
That’s why couples retreats like Getting the Love You Want provide a breakthrough opportunity: you get days, not minutes, to truly work on the heart of your marriage.
What Happens at a Marriage Therapy Weekend Retreat?
Unlike traditional therapy, our retreats are immersive experiences held in safe, beautiful environments designed to encourage both relaxation and connection. During the weekend, couples:
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Rediscover why they fell in love – Walking down memory lane often reignites lost affection and reminds partners of the bond they share.
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Learn structured communication skills – Through the Imago Dialogue, couples learn to communicate without blame, listen deeply, and feel truly heard.
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See their partner in a new light – Understanding the childhood wounds and defenses behind behaviors helps replace judgment with compassion.
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Leave with a clear plan – Couples develop a vision for their future together, plus concrete daily practices to continue the progress at home.
As one past participant said: “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.”
The Advantage of Immersive Retreats
Research has shown that intensive therapy formats—where couples work for multiple hours over a few days—can accelerate progress that would take months in weekly sessions . The immersive setting also allows couples to:
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Break free from everyday stressors
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Reset old patterns in real time
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Create a shared memory of working through challenges together
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Strengthen commitment by investing in something meaningful
When combined with a restorative retreat setting, the impact goes even deeper.
Key Takeaways
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Weekly therapy often isn’t enough. Time runs out quickly, and couples rarely reach the deeper roots of conflict.
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Marriage retreats compress months of therapy into days. This allows couples to experience breakthrough change quickly.
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Reluctant spouses often agree to retreats. A time-limited immersive format feels less daunting than indefinite weekly sessions.
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Getting the Love You Want retreats provide structure, tools, and a safe space. Couples leave not only with hope but with clear, actionable skills for the future.
Sources
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Baucom, D. H., et al. (2015). The efficacy of traditional versus integrative behavioral couple therapy for significantly and chronically distressed married couples. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.
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Hahlweg, K., et al. (2010). Couples therapy as a treatment for marital distress: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.
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Imago Relationships International. (2023). Imago Therapy Outcomes & Research.
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