Therapists
Recommended by Professionals
Many marriage counselors and family therapists refer their clients to Retrouvaille as a way to foster marital growth before beginning the counseling process. They recognize that the communication tools provided through our program are often exactly what couples need, along with the support of a peer ministry.
Counseling and Retrouvaille Complement Each Other
Marriage counseling offers a safe, supportive space for couples to identify and address their challenges, helping them express and discuss feelings and behaviors that may be causing tension. This process fosters understanding and positive change. Retrouvaille complements counseling by focusing on relationship-building rather than problem-solving. Through Retrouvaille, couples learn the language of feelings, which helps them better communicate on a deeper emotional level. By the end of the program, couples are equipped to work through specific issues with a stronger foundation of mutual understanding and emotional connection.
Both the husband and wife actively participate in the Retrouvaille process. Couples are never asked to disclose the reasons that brought them to the program. Each spouse is encouraged to fully commit to the entire weekend and to sever any third-party relationships before attending. If either spouse is currently seeing a counselor, they are asked to inform their counselor of their intent to attend Retrouvaille. It is important to note that the presenting team members are not counselors and are not there to solve problems for participants.
Retrouvaille Does Not Offer Professional Counseling
While Retrouvaille focuses on improving marital communication, the presenting team recommends professional help for issues that require specialized care. Addictions—such as alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, or compulsive behaviors—are not covered in depth and are referred to professionals. Those facing physical or mental illness, psychological trauma, or any form of abuse are also urged to seek immediate professional assistance, as these challenges go beyond the program's scope.
The Challenge of Marriage in Today's Society
In today's society, with the pressures of work, family, and competing demands, marriage often gets neglected. Without proper care, relationships can slowly drift apart or be damaged by hurtful actions. Many couples live in silent misery, losing the joy in their relationship. Sadly, only a small fraction of divorcing couples seek marital counseling or participate in a marriage program before deciding to divorce. Often, those who do seek help have endured years of unhappiness before reaching out. With over half of marriages failing within the first seven years, too many couples suffer for far too long before taking steps to improve their relationship.
Retrouvaille is a peer ministry led by couples, offering hope for struggling marriages
It’s important to understand that relationship skills can be learned and that help is available. Retrouvaille encourages couples considering separation, or even those already separated or divorced, to participate in the program. Commitment from both spouses is required to make the most of this opportunity.
Retrouvaille presenters are not professional counselors; instead, they are couples who share their personal experiences and the strategies they used to overcome marital challenges. The program, rooted in a Christian and specifically Catholic tradition, welcomes couples from all religious backgrounds or no faith at all.
Feedback from participants highlights numerous benefits, including improved communication, a deeper understanding of their partner and themselves, a stronger bond, better conflict resolution skills, and a renewed or strengthened connection to their faith. Given the positive correlation between religious participation and well-being, we encourage those who already identify with a religious tradition to engage in communal religious life alongside their Retrouvaille experience.
Retrouvaille is a Structured Three-Phase Program
Phase 1: The Retrouvaille Weekend Experience
The initial phase of Retrouvaille involves a weekend program designed to aid couples in reestablishing communication and gaining fresh perspectives on their individual selves and their relationship dynamics. Typically hosted at local hotels or retreat facilities, this segment of the program is facilitated by three couples and a clergy member. The facilitating team, drawing from personal experiences of disillusionment, pain, and discord, offers hope by sharing their journey of reconciliation and healing.
Couples can derive courage and fortitude from the understanding that they are not solitary in their challenges. While not compelled to divulge their issues to others, they are urged to move forward from the past and transcend the anguish, fostering a renewed and constructive connection.
On the Weekend, couples are equipped with resources to enhance their communication, facilitate forgiveness, and rebuild trust. This program instructs a dialogue approach emphasizing heartfelt and meaningful interaction.
Phase 2: The Post Weekend Sessions
Following the initial Retrouvaille weekend, a crucial phase involves a series of follow-up presentations. Recognizing that addressing the complexities of a strained marriage necessitates more than a single weekend, these Post sessions are designed to delve deeper into the concepts introduced during the initial program. Presented by additional couples, these 2-hour sessions aim to expand upon the themes explored over a 6 to 12-week period, as determined by each Retrouvaille community. Many participants regard this phase as highly beneficial, citing it as a pivotal period for significant growth within their marriages.
Phase 3: Monthly Support (C.O.R.E.)
Concluding the program, the monthly small-group support meeting known as C.O.R.E. (Continuing Our Retrouvaille Experience) offers a platform for ongoing interaction among couples who have completed the program. This informal gathering serves as a supportive environment where couples can reinforce the communication tools acquired during the weekend. It fosters a positive and inclusive atmosphere that nurtures enduring connections among participants as they navigate the journey of healing and strengthening their relationships.