Does this Retreat use approaches that are proven effective? Do they provide a program or outline of sound goals and objectives?
Some Retreats hold 5-500 couples. Others offer one-to-one help. The one you choose depends upon your level of marital distress.
Do the leaders of the retreat have legitimate credentials in conducting psycho-educational or couples therapy retreats?
Marisa Mundey
Texas Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Marisa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with advanced training in the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy. She specializes in couples who have moved to Texas as a result of job relocation (particularly in the corporate energy and IT sectors), or those impacted by affairs, depression, and anxiety. Marisa continues to serve her community, having worked in hospice care, nursing homes, homeless shelters, Girl and Boy Scout troops, schools, and churches.
Jennifer Elkins
Texas Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Jennifer has advanced training in the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy and training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. She's worked with many presenting problems, including adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, family communication issues, Autism, age-related cognitive decline, and problems in social skills, she has one particular passion: Working with ADHD and artists/non-artist and relationships.
We were looking to improve on conflict resolution and to improve our communication skills on subjects where there is disagreement.
Marisa was very professional, very approachable and disarming. We immediately felt at ease and comfortable talking to her. I really can't think of a criticism of her.
What changes resulted in your marriage from the work you did?
It was a powerful weekend - that we both enjoyed. We both came away with a fresh perspective on each other. We have a deeper understanding of why each of us reacts the way we do on certain issues. I believe we will have a stronger relationship due to the weekend and be better at resolving conflicts without anger. We were very pleased.
We left with: 1) better perspective on each other's positions and why we are like we are on certain topics 2) better communication techniques on areas of disagreement. 3) we learned how damaging anger can be and how to avoid it.
For us - it was exactly what we needed. it was an intense, weekend, but very very helpful. I thought the time allowed was great - the one on one sessions were very good and beneficial. Marisa was really good - we identified with her. She is very affirming, warm and sincere. the whole weekend exceeded our expectations.
Absolutely would recommend.
We had tried other couples therapy many years ago for several sessions but did not have any success. In contrast, I would recommend Marisa and CTI because I feel she helped put us on the right track. We were troubled, and needed to improve communication, trust and boundaries and we learned better ways to communicate, we learned to focus on improving the future more than worrying about the past, and we now have hope for our future.
Marisa is wonderful and is able to make everyone feel comfortable and listened to.
Now we have better communication and better understanding of each other’s feelings. The things I liked the most is that Marisa had a genuine interest in our lives and that she did not rush us and made sure we were satisfied before ending any sessions
We were on the brink of divorce and had trust, infidelity, communication, partnership issues. My husband thought we couldn't possibly benefit from just three days. Marisa was down to earth, genuine, kind, nonjudgmental, a good listener, creative, funny, sincere, caring, compassionate. I feel like she was truly partnering with us to save our relationship. She showed that she cared about us early on and seemed to have a vested interest in seeing us succeed together and to learn to love each other better than we ever thought was possible.
You completely saved my marriage. What you people do truly matters.
Marriage counseling and therapy is so TABOO --- and it should not be. It horrified me to know that no one talks openly about this with friends and family --- like you must be some freak of nature if you have marriage problems you can't work through on your own. I have zero shame in saying that we needed help badly --- and because of being willing to get help before it was too late we are both going to be able to have personal satisfaction and happiness, joy, love, and a spirit that this is my life --- I only have one life --- I am not going to sit back and waste it!!
We were tense before we came. We briefly tried couples therapy before. Before we even started the counseling, I was slightly concerned about the quality...It's a lot of money to be spending, so I wanted every assurance that it was a polished, professional program!
Jennifer Elkins left us with a better understanding of what caused the problems, we're better able to work through them. I loved it that she could relate to my ADHD issues and had a clear understanding of the stress it causes. She was warm and empathetic, and we BOTH felt an immediate and sustained connection. She was easy to trust on every level. We left understanding the causes, tools to get out of the immediate conflict, and renewed commitment. Obviously my experience was a good one in the end, but I was uncertain in the beginning.
However difficult this past year has been for my husband and I, one thing is for certain - it would have been much more difficult if we did not have your support.
There are no words to adequately express how grateful I am for the weekend my husband and I spent with you. You provided invaluable insight that, with time and practice, will help us navigate our marriage as well as our relationships with our children and extended family in a loving, and supportive way.