Counseling Retreats – Hope for Healthy Relationships

By Mark Dubler
Executive Director, Otyokwah Camp & Retreat Center

Traditional counseling has helped thousands over the years. Recently, however, clients are reporting that intensive counseling retreats have yielded greater, more powerful effects than their traditional weekly counseling format. An intensive counseling retreat generally occurs over the period of about 3 full days, spent at a place designed specifically for this type of encounter. Marriage counseling is particularly effective in this type of atmosphere. Couples can get counseling in such areas as intimacy, mid-life crisis, empty-nest syndrome, sexuality, and divorce prevention.

Counseling retreats are often lead by clergy, social work professionals, and licensed therapists. The format of the retreat can include, but is not limited to: seminars, workshop, and marriage encounters. With the help of a professional, many marriages have been restored and healed at intensive weekends like this. Couples are able to avoid common pitfalls while enhancing communication. When intimacy is restored within marriage, it is proven that the entire family unit is healthier and happier.

Why would 3 days be more effective that traditional weekly counseling sessions? The main benefit is due to the continuous time available. Often when counseling sessions reach a pivotal point, in a traditional delivery model, the time allotted is expired, and the client and therapist must table the discussion until the next appointment. Within intensive counseling retreats, clients and therapists have the luxury of virtually unlimited time in which to delve deeply into these issues.

Another advantage of counseling retreats is the removal of things familiar. This environment fosters a fresh perspective on life. There are no peripheral duties or distractions that hinder the task at hand. Freedom from responsibilities allows a client to unplug from the everydayness of life. It is the perfect situation for taking inventory of the heart. It absolutely invites reflection. The client is able to discern the difference between the urgent things in life from the truly important things. Counseling retreats offer a setting that is peaceful, confidential, and secure. They promote personal and relational growth.

Counseling retreats can benefit any couple at any point in their relationship. Whether the couple is engaged, encountering difficulties, longing for deeper intimacy, or at some other crossroads, an intensive weekend together with a professional guide can enhance the marriage in innumerous ways.

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Mark Dubler is the Executive Director of Otyokwah Camp & Retreat Center and a Counseling Retreats expert. Check out our great discounts for first-time groups at Otyokwah Camp & Retreat Center.