Marriage Counselors & Therapists
Priests, Pastors, Deacons, Spiritual Directors
Priests, Pastors, Deacons, Spiritual Directors
At Retrouvaille of Delaware Valley, we recognize and deeply value the work that marriage counselors and therapists do to help couples navigate the most difficult seasons of their relationships. We also know that sometimes, a couple needs more than a one-hour session once or twice a week.
Let’s Bring Healing & Hope Together.
Priests, Pastors, Deacons, Spiritual Directors
Priests, Pastors, Deacons, Spiritual Directors
Priests, Pastors, Deacons, Spiritual Directors
God’s plan for marriage is the foundation of our program.
Fulfilling Your Pastoral Mission
The Church is called to heal the brokenhearted and bind up wounds. Marriage help ministry is not optional—it's essential pastoral care for the domestic church.
Marriage Counselors & Therapists
Partnering Together to Heal Couples
Recommended by Many 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 minist
Recommended by Many 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 cost of the program varies by community, depending on factors such as accommodations and the number of couples attending. However, Retrouvaille remains affordable because all of our facilitating couples are volunteers.
Marriage can be challenging...
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
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 ano 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 comprises of a structured Three-Phase Program:
Retrouvaille comprises of 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 f
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 (CORE)
Concluding the program, the monthly small-group support meeting known as CORE (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.
Priests, Pastors, Deacons, Spiritual Directors
Marriages Heal Best in Community
God lives in community as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and so we too were designed to live in community.
Retrouvaille provides couples with an opportunity to join a worldwide community, either locally or online, to continue their journey, accompanied by other couples who are dedicated to live out their vocation and build healthy marria
God lives in community as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and so we too were designed to live in community.
Retrouvaille provides couples with an opportunity to join a worldwide community, either locally or online, to continue their journey, accompanied by other couples who are dedicated to live out their vocation and build healthy marriages. Monthly groups continue as long as the couple wants to be engaged in them.
As a peer ministry, our program provides encouragement, hope, and practical tools to help rebuild marriages into the one they WANT to have. The program's power lies in its presenters: a priest and three couples who have themselves walked through the valley of marital crisis and emerged stronger. This peer-to-peer model of marriage help offers hope that resonates uniquely—when struggling couples see others who've survived and thrived, they believe transformation is possible for them too. Peer ministers help others to navigate the path they traveled to reconnect in their marriage using our program. On the weekend, couples will share guided exercises in the privacy of their room that allow them to practice using the skills they are learning. They will take home powerful communication tools that will help them stay connected for years to come!
Rooted in Catholic Teaching, Accessible to All
Retrouvaille is a Catholic ministry and grounded in Christian principles, making it an authentic expression of the Church's marriage help ministry to married couples. At the same time, couples of all faith backgrounds—or no faith background—are welcomed, allowing your diocese to extend pastoral care beyond practicing Catholics and serve as a witness to the broader community.
The Weekend Retreats provide:
- A proven communication process that helps couples reconnect
- Real stories of redemption that inspire hope
- Practical marriage help tools couples can implement immediately
- A confidential, non-judgmental environment
- Follow-up Marriage Blueprint Talk Series after the weekend to ensure lasting change and support
Retrouvaille is a 3-Phase Program
Our program helps couples face their marriage challenges in a productive and healthy way. It begins with the weekend experience (Phase 1), followed by post-weekend follow up sessions (Phase 2), and ongoing monthly marriage groups (Phase 3) offered in person and online. Community is where true healing occurs. We were not created to go it alone as married couples. We all need support and community on our journey. As a peer ministry our couples mentor one another. And, since writing is such a healing process, we offer Writing Days and Writing Weekends throughout the year.
Phase 1 - Weekend Experience:
Focuses on establishing healthy, meaningful communication to improve your relationship while gaining new insights into yourself as individuals and as a couple.
Phase 2 - Post Sessions:
These follow up sessions focus on the concepts of commitment, love, forgiveness and trust in our relationship as well as exploring our family of origin, intimacy & sexual relationship.
Phase 3 - CORE:
Getting together with other couples on a monthly basis to discuss marriage topics, & learn more communication techniques keeps our marriages on track. Community is where marriages heal and grow.
Implementation: Bringing Retrouvaille Provides...
- Strategic pastoral planning that provides real marriage help addressing root causes, not just symptoms
- Commitment to the domestic church as the foundation of parish life
- Proactive ministry that offers marriage help before crisis becomes catastrophe
- Collaboration with a proven, established global marriage help ministry
- Stewardship of families as the Church's most precious resource
Why Your Church Needs The Retrouvaille Program
Protecting the Sacrament of Marriage
Marriage is not just a contract—it is a sacrament, a sacred covenant reflecting Christ's love for His Church. When marriages fail or languish in misery, the witness of this sacrament is diminished. Retrouvaille provides the marriage help that prevents the dissolution of sacramental marriages and restore
Protecting the Sacrament of Marriage
Marriage is not just a contract—it is a sacrament, a sacred covenant reflecting Christ's love for His Church. When marriages fail or languish in misery, the witness of this sacrament is diminished. Retrouvaille provides the marriage help that prevents the dissolution of sacramental marriages and restores them to their intended beauty and purpose.
Meeting Families Where They Are
Your parishes are filled with couples who are:
- Too ashamed to ask for marriage help
- Too proud to admit they're struggling
- Too hopeless to believe things can change
- Too isolated to know where to turn or unsure where to seek help
Retrouvaille creates a safe, confidential, hope-filled pathway for these couples to find the marriage help they desperately need without the stigma often associated with "needing help." It meets them in their crisis with practical tools and the transforming power of God's grace.
Strengthening the Foundation of Parish Life
Strong marriages create strong families. Strong families create vibrant parishes. When you invest in marriage help ministry, you're not just helping individual couples—you're strengthening the entire foundation of parish life and evangelization.Children raised in healthy, loving marriages are more likely to:
- Remain active in their faith
- Understand God's love through their parents' witness
- Choose sacramental marriage themselves
- Serve their parishes and communities
Removing Financial Barriers to Marriage Help
No couple will be denied marriage help due to financial challenges. Scholarships are available, ensuring that every struggling marriage in your diocese—regardless of economic circumstances—has access to this life-changing ministry. This reflects the Church's preferential option for those in need and ensures your pastoral care reaches all socioeconomic levels.
The Impact: More Than Individual Marriages
When your church offers or supports Retrouvaille, you are:
1. Fulfilling Your Pastoral Mission
The Church is called to heal the brokenhearted and bind up wounds. Marriage help ministry is not optional—it's essential pastoral care for the domestic church.
2. Preventing Spiritual Casualties
Divorce doesn't just end marriages—it often ends families' relationships with the Church. Children of divorce are statistically less likely to practice their faith. Providing marriage help saves marriages.
3. Providing an Alternative to Secular Solutions
Many couples turn to secular counseling or simply give up when marriage gets hard. Retrouvaille offers Christ-centered marriage help that addresses not just communication techniques but the spiritual foundation of marriage.
4. Building a Culture of Hope
When word spreads in that real marriage help is available—that marriages can be saved—it changes the culture. Couples seek help sooner. Parishes become communities of healing. Hope replaces despair.
5. Supporting Your Ministry
Pastors are overwhelmed with pastoral needs and often lack specialized training in marriage counseling. Retrouvaille provides effective, peer-led marriage help that complements your priests' sacramental ministry.
6. Evangelizing Through Witness
Few things evangelize more powerfully than transformed marriages. When couples experience radical healing through marriage help and renewed love, they become living testimonies to God's power. Their witness draws others to Christ and to His Church.
The Cost of Doing Nothing
Consider what is lost when the diocese does not actively provide marriage help to struggling couples:
- Families drift from the Church after the trauma of divorce
- Children lose faith when their family foundation crumbles
- The sacrament of marriage is devalued when there's no visible marriage help system
- Parish communities weaken as families fragment
Retrouvaille is more than a marriage help program.
It is the Church living out her mission to heal, restore, and sanctify the sacrament of marriage. It is pastoral care at its most essential. It is marriage help that works. It is the Gospel made tangible for couples in crisis.
Help Us Spread the Word About Our Program
Help Us Spread the Word About Our Program
A Call to Action for Leaders
This is not just another program. This is a pastoral necessity. In every parish across your diocese, there are couples sitting in pews, participating in ministries, raising children in the faith—while their marriages are slowly dying. They need help. They need hope. They need to know the Church stands with them
A Call to Action for Leaders
This is not just another program. This is a pastoral necessity. In every parish across your diocese, there are couples sitting in pews, participating in ministries, raising children in the faith—while their marriages are slowly dying. They need help. They need hope. They need to know the Church stands with them not just on their wedding day, but in the hard years that follow.
By offering Retrouvaille, you send a clear message: Marriage matters. Families matter. And the Church will walk with you through the hardest seasons of married life, providing real marriage help when you need it most.
Most couples never envisioned that it would be this hard to get things right. We know, we have been there. Add in careers and workplace demands, the distraction of technology and social media, societal expectations, children and extended family... it is a lot!
Couples often struggle with communication, conflict & closeness. Sometimes their marriage feels more like a business venture and they become like roommates instead of lovers and soulmates.
Some Frequently Asked Questions:
- Do you address serious troubles? Yes! Retrouvaille has helped couples facing marital challenges such as financial stress, anger/conflict, addiction recovery support, infidelity, loss of a child or infertility struggles, workaholism, sex and intimacy issues and other challenges that married life brings. Retrouvaille has also helped separated and divorced couples reunite after attending and engaging in our materials. Couples are encouraged to seek targeted individual counseling and special programs such as AA and SAA.
- Can a couple commute? We find that the results are best if couples isolate themselves from their daily life to give their marriage the attention it deserves. Even if they live alone, there are phones that ring, dishes to wash, bills to pay, etc. that can distract from the work we are doing over the weekend. The couples also use their personal rooms for sharing and conversations between each other.
- Can they bring children? No, with the possible exception of very young nursing infants, we do not allow children. Please help them to secure child care for the entire weekend.
- Are special dietary needs accommodated? The facility will do everything possible to accommodate special dietary requests. For a severe allergy, please have a couple consider bringing their own food as a back up.
- What does Retrouvaille mean? How do you say it? Retrouvaille (pronounced Reh-troo-vye) is a unique term that describes the happiness of meeting someone again that is very dear to you after a long time.
- Why is the deposit non-refundable? We are a non-profit ministry and we plan our weekends based on having enough couples to fulfill our contracts and spread the costs of holding a weekend. If they cannot attend and give us 2 weeks notice we can usually move them to the next weekend we have scheduled.
- Why do you ask for a donation? We are an all volunteer ministry. We want to keep our program affordable. This way each couple is paying for their own lodging and food and then donates what they can for the costs of the weekend & post sessions, which include the costs for the clergy and team's training, food and lodging, facilities and materials.