Having Trouble in Your Marriage? PAMRC Suggests Ways to Improve Your Relationship

It has been said that marriage is the last chance we have to grow up. That may mean admitting that things are beyond our control and it is time to get some help to keep the marriage alive and intact. Divorce, unfortunately, can happen much more easily than marriage. Being educated about difficulties in marriage allows you to take positive action before it is too late.

Some signs of a marriage that is splintering:

Breakdown in communication
Blame, criticism
Unresolved, chronic conflict
Living parallel lives
Suspicion of infidelity
Verbal abuse
Frequent, useless arguments
Unprovoked hostility in mate
Aloof and withdrawn behavior
Withholding affection and sexual intimacy

Here are some things you can do to reverse a downward spiral in your marriage and deal with the issues:

Learn relationship skills through a program that offers such.
Insist on and schedule a weekly “date night” between the two of you. Set aside time in your busy life for just each other.
Choose a “mentor couple” to meet with once a month to learn how to be married well.
Get professional help (see resources below).

Retrouvaille Program

"The word Retrouvaille simply means 'rediscovery'. The program offers tools needed to rediscover a loving marriage relationship. Thousands of couples headed for cold, unloving relationships or divorce have successfully overcome their marriage problems by attending the program. The Retrouvaille Program consists of a weekend experience combined with a series of 6-12 post-weekend sessions over 3 months. It provides the tools to help put your marriage in order again. The main emphasis of the program is on communication in marriage between husband and wife. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way."

August 17
Malvern, PA

October 17
West Chester, PA

For more information, please contact Bob & Joyce Gillespie at
302- 832-8044.

Free Relationship Education Class Preview

Come and learn about all of the Relationship Education programs offered by the Council for Relationships - ranging from courses for singles, engaged couples, married couples and all other committed couples! Dr. Rita DeMaria, PAIRS® Program Director, and our PAIRS® Leaders will introduce you to the many classes we offer that can provide directions, tools and guides for you and your partner to have a successful and pleasurable relationship.

June 12
Concordville, PA: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

September 24; October 1
Wynnewood, PA: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

To register, please contact Rita DeMaria, Ph.D., LSW, LMFT, Program Director at 215-628-2450.

Getting The Love You Want: The Imago Couples Workshop
Presented by The Wissahickon Center for Relationship Therapy

"This workshop consists of five processes: re-imaging your partner, restoring empathy, restructuring frustrations, renewing romance and re-visioning the future. The weekend is composed of a carefully constructed blend of educational lectures and films, group discussions, self-exploration and writing work. You will learn new skills - ways to communicate that will allow you to truly see and hear each other with compassion, to melt anger and move through conflict to a place of profound connection and compassion. A significant portion of the workshop is spent practicing these new tools with your partner. While you are invited to share your insights and experiences within the larger group, all such sharing is optional."

For more information or to register, please contact Laura Marshall, LCSW, QCSW at 215-699-1238.

Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills (PAIRS) Program
Semester Course

A 16 week program designed to help couples who want to assess the current status of their relationship; acknowledge and appreciate differences that each partner brings to the relationship; resolve conflicts creatively; heal wounds from the past and avoid mistakes made in previous relationships; understand how family history influences choices and behaviors; improve physical and emotional bonding; increase commitment. For more information or to register for a PAIRS® course, please contact Rita DeMaria, Ph.D., LSW, LMFT, Program Director at 215-628-2450.

Council for Relationships

The nation's oldest clinical, training, and research center specializing in individual, couple, relationship, family, and sex therapy. Educational courses include: Anger Management, Communication and Relationship Skills, Sexual Enrichment, Men's Support Group and Bonding after Baby. For more information, please call 215-382-6680

Military Family Support Services:
Delaware National Guard Family Readiness Program

Delaware National Guard Family Readiness Program provides support, training, enrichment, social events, support groups, summer youth camp and array of services for military service members and their families. For more information please contact Mrs. Frank Vavala, Advisory Council Chairperson at 302-326-7001 or CMSgt Dawn Peet, State Family Program Coordinator, at 302-326-7268.

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