Do Marriage Retreats Work? Answers From A Therapist

You knew that you should have contacted a couples therapist already, but you thought you could fix your problems on your own. But nothing has changed, and now you are facing the fact that you need some outside help.  You’ve heard about retreats, and you’re wondering, “Do marriage retreats work or not?”

How Are Marriage Retreats Different From Traditional Therapy?

Marriage retreats (sometimes called Intensive Couples Therapy) will get to the root of the problem quickly and help you learn how to resolve it. 

Traditional couples therapy is different from intensive couples therapy because it usually takes longer and has multiple goals. When you don’t want to attend couple therapy for months or longer, marriage retreats are the answer. 

The longer sessions provide you with an opportunity to dive deep into your issues and discover how to overcome the obstacles creating them. Marriage retreats can reduce your therapy process by one to three months due to their intense focus.

15 Issues Addressed On A Marriage Retreat

If you are looking for a couples intensive to improve your relationship, you can learn about and improve in the following areas:

1. Communication 
2. Intimacy
3. Conflict resolution and management
4. Conflicts with kids, parenting, friends, and in-laws
5. Financial strains
6. Addictions
7. Trauma
8. Appreciation and affection
9. Respect
10. Boundaries
11. Affairs
12. Emotional Distance
13. Valuing each other’s differences
14. Listening and Validation
15. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD or ADHD)

Are Marriage Retreats Effective?

If you are curious and want to know, “Do marriage retreats work? And how effective are marriage retreats?” the answer is very. 

When you take time away from work, your phone, the bills, your kids, and the dog and spend time on your relationship, it’s bound to improve it.

You will have time to the areas that need work and/or repair and focus on what areas of your relationship need fixing or a tune-up. 

You will learn skills and tools that will help you navigate conflicts, build trust, increase appreciation, and improve your communication. 

You will learn how to be on the same team and have each other’s back instead of criticizing, yelling, shutting down or repressing your thoughts and feelings. 

How Do Marriage Retreats Work?

When couples find a quiet place and take time for themselves, it’s a magical opportunity to provide a time and space to look inwards and explore each other and the relationship. 

Without distractions and other people and things to deplete your energy, you can rediscover the partner you fell in love with and reconnect with them. The intimacy that you once had can be reignited when you feel loved, heard, and cared about again. 

Sometimes we can get so lost and preoccupied with the day-to-day life activities, we don’t realize that our relationship has been put on the back burner. And even if you realized that the relationship was not being tended to, you might not have known how to fix it.  Retreats can help with that as well.

Answers From A Therapist About Marriage Retreats

How do you know if a marriage retreat is for you?  A marriage retreat or marriage intensive will be a great opportunity for you if you are looking to jump start your relationship and get it off the cliff of divorce.

As a couples therapist, I can’t make any couple do the work or help them if one or both partners want to blame the other partner for the issues, but if you really want to improve the relationship, then marriage retreats will help you be happier and more satisfied.

If you discover an affair or have a sudden discussion of divorce, the concentrated time together will address your concerns, issues and goals.

If you are looking to explore how to increase your intimacy and romance, you will learn how to have fun again and spice up your relationship. 

As a therapist, I learn about your relationship to put together an individualized marriage retreat that meets your relationships needs and wants.

When you are open and honest during the retreat and prepared to make changes to your relationship, marriage retreats work.

When couples ask me, “Do marriage retreats work?” my answer as a couple therapist is yes. If you are willing to put the time and energy into the marriage retreat, you can discover a better version of your relationship. Make sure you are ready to discuss your concerns and be ready to hear the answers to all of your questions.