Couples workshops by Marriage Helper are like intensive, couples retreats that focus on education and crisis marriage situations. Online and in-person options in the Nashville, TN area

The Couples Workshop: Heal Your Marriage Together

When you're both ready to fight for your marriage, even if you're not sure it can be saved.

Your Situation Right Now

You’re both willing to be here. Maybe one of you is more hopeful than the other. Maybe you’re both skeptical but desperate enough to try. Maybe an affair shattered everything and you don’t know if trust can ever be rebuilt. Maybe you’ve drifted so far apart you feel like strangers.

You Feel

– Uncertain if your marriage can actually be saved
– Exhausted from trying things that haven’t worked
– Scared that this is your last chance
– Hopeful enough to show up—but guarded

You're In The Right Place

The Couples Workshop is designed for couples who are both willing to attend—even if one (or both) is reluctant. You’ll learn the science behind attraction and connection, understand what broke in your marriage, and build a plan together for the future you both want.

We've Helped Couples in Every Situation Imaginable

Over 30 years, we’ve worked with more than 25,000 couples. Some came holding hands, hopeful. Others came barely speaking, one foot out the door. Many came after affairs, betrayals, or years of disconnect. Here’s what we’ve learned: if you’re both in the room, there’s something to work with.

Do Any Of These Describe Your Situation?

"We're both willing to try, but we don't know if it will work"

You’ve agreed to attend together. Maybe you’ve tried counseling before without much success. Maybe this is your first step toward getting help. You’re hopeful but realistic, you know this won’t be easy.

What this means:
Willingness is the starting point. You don’t need to be certain it will work, you just need to be willing to learn. The workshop will give you tools and understanding that counseling often doesn’t provide.

"One of us is more invested than the other"

One spouse pushed for this. The other agreed reluctantly, maybe to “give it one more shot” or to prove they tried before giving up. There’s an imbalance in motivation right now.

What this means:
This is more common than you think. Many couples arrive with unequal motivation. The workshop is designed to meet reluctant spouses where they are, without pressure or guilt. Many “reluctant” spouses have breakthroughs because the approach is different than therapy.

"An affair shattered everything"

One of you had an affair. The betrayed spouse is devastated. The unfaithful spouse may feel guilt, shame, or confusion about what they want. You’re both wondering if trust can ever be rebuilt.

What this means:
Affairs are one of the most common reasons couples attend our workshop. We don’t shame the unfaithful spouse or position the betrayed spouse as simply “the victim.” We help you both understand what broke in the marriage before the affair, and how to rebuild something better than you had.

"We've grown apart over the years"

There was no affair, no big blowup. You just… drifted. You’re more like roommates than lovers. The emotional and physical connection has faded. You wonder if you even know each other anymore.

What this means:
Gradual disconnection is often harder to address than a crisis because there’s no clear “thing” to fix. You’ll learn how attraction and connection work, and why they faded. More importantly, you’ll learn how to rebuild them intentionally.

"We're separated but willing to try"

You’re living apart. Maybe one of you moved out. Maybe you’re “taking space.” But you’re both open to seeing if the marriage can be saved before making a final decision.

What this means:
Separation doesn’t disqualify you. Many couples attend while separated and use the workshop as a decision point: Can this marriage be saved, or is it time to let go? Either way, you’ll leave with clarity.

"Divorce has been mentioned, but let's try one last thing"

Divorce has come up in conversation. Maybe papers have been discussed or even filed. But something is keeping you from pulling the trigger. Part of you wonders: is there still a chance?

What this means:
Divorce conversations often happen in the heat of pain. The fact that you’re both here means the door isn’t fully closed. The workshop can help you determine if your marriage can be saved, and give you the tools to save it if the answer is yes.

If ANY of these scenarios describes you, the Couples Workshop is designed for you.

You’re not here because your marriage is perfect. You’re here because you’re both willing to show up, do the work, and find out if this can be saved. That’s all we need to get started.

This Isn't Marriage Counseling, It's Marriage Education

Traditional marriage counseling focuses on processing emotions and mediating conflict. The Couples Workshop is different: it’s intensive education about how relationships actually work. You’ll learn the science behind attraction, connection, and communication, then apply it to your specific situation.

Think of it this way: therapy asks “how do you feel?” Education asks “how does this work, and what can you do about it?”

Why Education Can Work Better Than Counseling for Many Couples

Testimonial

The limitations of traditional therapy:
– Ongoing weekly sessions (slow progress during crisis)
– Focuses on processing past hurts (not always actionable)
– Mediates conflict (but doesn’t teach why conflict happens)
– Therapist-dependent (results vary widely)
– Often assumes both spouses are equally motivated

What education provides instead:
– Intensive 3-day format (breakthrough momentum)
– Teaches the “why” behind relationship dynamics
– Gives you a shared language and framework
– Based on proven systems (not individual therapist approach)
– Works even when one spouse is reluctant

What You'll Learn At A Couples Workshop

The Couples Workshop teaches you as a team, so you leave with shared understanding:

Why Attending Together Creates Better Results

The power of shared experience:

1. Same Language: You’ll learn the same concepts, use the same vocabulary. No more “I read this book and you didn’t.”

2. Shared Understanding: When you both understand WHY attraction faded, you can fix it together instead of blaming each other.

Watch this 7 min video for a better understanding of our solo workshop!

3. Mutual Accountability: You’re both committed to the same plan. No more one spouse trying while the other resists.

4. Joint Breakthrough Moments: Many couples experience “aha” moments together during the workshop that shift everything.

5. Unified Vision: You’ll create a plan FOR your marriage, not a plan one spouse hopes the other will follow.

What We Need You Both To Understand Before You Register

We’re going to be honest with you, more honest than most marriage programs will be. You deserve truth, not false hope. And you deserve to know what you’re committing to.

The Hard Truth

Why we say this:
We can give you the best tools available. We can teach you exactly what creates and destroys attraction. But we can't make you apply it consistently, and we can't control the choices you each make after the workshop.

What we CAN guarantee:
- You'll understand what caused the breakdown (not opinions—the science)
- You'll both know what you each contributed (shared responsibility)
- You'll have tools that work IF you both apply them
- You'll have clarity about whether your marriage can be saved

Our success rate: 70% of marriages where one spouse attends Solo Workshop eventually reconcile. That means 30% don't. But even in that 30%, attendees say the workshop was worth it because they gained understanding, peace, and stopped destructive patterns.

This isn't just about one spouse changing.

Most couples arrive thinking, "If only my spouse would change, we'd be fine." The workshop will challenge that assumption, for both of you.

What real change looks like:
- Each of you recognizing patterns you've had for years (maybe from childhood)
- Each of you stopping behaviors that feel natural but damage your spouse
- Both of you developing emotional regulation you may not currently have
- Both of you committing to 3-6 months of consistent new behaviors

If either of you is only willing to point fingers, the workshop won't help.

The workshop will bring up hard things:

You'll examine painful moments. You'll hear hard truths about your own behavior. You'll have to sit with discomfort. Some couples cry. Some get angry. That's part of the process.

Why this matters:
- Growth doesn't happen in comfort zones
- Avoidance is probably part of what got you here
- Breakthrough often comes right after the hardest moments
- You'll have expert support through the discomfort

The workshop is the catalyst, not the cure.

You won't leave on Sunday with a perfect marriage. You'll leave with understanding and tools. Real transformation happens over the following 3-6 months as you apply what you learned.

Realistic timeline:

- Week 1-2: Implementing new tools, some setbacks
- Month 1-3: Consistent progress, new patterns forming
- Month 3-6: Significant improvement, feeling like a new marriage
- 6-12 months: Sustained change, new normal established

Your workshop package will include coaching and the community to help you navigate this time.

Hope For All Situations

After being completely honest about the challenges, here’s why you should still have hope:

Relationships Follow Predictable Patterns

Love isn’t a mystery. Connection isn’t random. There are specific, predictable patterns that create and destroy attraction in relationships. If you understand WHY your connection broke, you can rebuild it. This isn’t about luck or hoping feelings return. It’s about understanding the science and applying it together.

Two People Working Together Multiplies Results

When both spouses learn the same tools and commit to the same plan, progress happens faster than when one person works alone. You’ll hold each other accountable, catch each other’s blind spots, and celebrate wins together. Two committed people can transform a marriage.

 

We've Seen "Hopeless" Marriages Thrive

We’ve seen couples recover from multiple affairs, decades of disconnection, and divorce papers already filed. Couples who “hated” each other during the workshop weekend have rebuilt marriages they both love. Even if one is reluctant, transformation is possible.

Even If Your Marriage Doesn't Survive, You Will

If you both attend, work the program, and your marriage still doesn’t survive, you’ll have clarity. You’ll know you did everything possible. You’ll separate (if that’s the outcome) with understanding, not bitterness. And you’ll have tools for co-parenting and future relationships.

Upcoming Couples Workshop Dates:

In-Person Couples in Spring Hill, TN

February 20-22

March 6-8

April 10-12

May 1-3

June 12-14

Online Couples Workshops:

February 27-March 1

March 20-22

April 24-26

May 29-31

June 26-28

Marriage Workshop Times:

In-Person and Online:

Fri 8am-6:30pm
Sat 8am-6:30pm
Sun 8am-3pm Central

Note About Online Workshops:

Our online workshops work best when participants keep their cameras on. This helps foster connection and allows our coaches to support the group more effectively.

We understand this can feel uncomfortable at first, and we strive to create a respectful, non-judgmental space for everyone.

What Do I Need To Know About In-Person Workshops?

Couples workshops by Marriage Helper are like intensive, couples therapy retreats that focus on education and crisis marriage situations. Online and in-person options in the Nashville, TN area

Spring Hill, TN (Greater Nashville area)

– Hotel recommendations (with discounts) provided upon registration

– Face-to-face connection with coaches and other solo attendees

– Dedicated learning environment away from home triggers

What Do I Need To Know About Online Workshops?

Couples workshops by Marriage Helper are like intensive, couples retreats that focus on education and crisis marriage situations. Online and in-person options in the Nashville, TN area

Live Online, Zoom (link provided)

– Attend from anywhere (privacy and convenience)

– Live interaction (not a recording)

– No travel costs

– Easier logistics if you have children or work constraints

– Same content and support as in-person

Register For A Couples Workshop

Couples workshops by Marriage Helper are like intensive, couples therapy retreats that focus on education and crisis marriage situations. Online and in-person options in the Nashville, TN area

If you’re ready to join a couples workshop, or if you’re not sure if the Workshop is right for your situation, fill out this form.  You’ll be able to schedule a time to talk with one of our advisors about your best options to move forward.

Help Us Prepare For Your Call

Couples Workshop FAQs

About The Couples Workshop

A. Reluctance is normal and expected. Many couples arrive with one spouse far more motivated than the other. The workshop is designed to meet skeptical spouses where they are, no pressure, no guilt. Many "reluctant" attendees have the biggest breakthroughs because the approach is so different from therapy.

A. Sharing is always optional, never required. Large group teaching doesn't require you to share. Small group discussions are voluntary but encouraged, but you never need to divulge personal information or details about your situation. Personal reflection exercises are private. Many couples do share because they find the environment supportive, but there's never pressure.

A. Yes. Affairs are one of the most common reasons couples attend. We don't shame the unfaithful spouse or make the betrayed spouse feel like a victim. We help you both understand what happened and how to rebuild.

A. The workshop content is based on behavioral science and relationship research, not religious doctrine. We welcome people of all faiths and no faith. You won't be required to participate in religious activities. That said, our team includes people of faith who can discuss your marriage through that lens if you prefer.

Planning Your Workshop

Our in-person couples workshops are held in the Nashville, Tennessee area, making them accessible for couples traveling from across the country (or international). Attending an in-person workshop offers a unique balance of focus and flexibility, allowing couples to step away from daily routines and engage in a life changing educational experience.

While attending the workshop, many couples appreciate being in a city known for its beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, rich history and national landmarks, vibrant nightlife, and diverse dining options. Whether you choose quiet reflection time or light activities in the evenings, the Nashville area provides space to reset, recharge, and stay grounded while focusing on your marriage.

For the best experience, we recommend setting aside dedicated, uninterrupted time for the workshop. Treat the weekend as protected space to focus on learning, reflect on what you’re hearing, and avoid common distractions like work, errands, or household tasks. Even small steps, such as silencing notifications or letting others know you’ll be unavailable, can make a meaningful difference.

Comfort also matters. Many participants choose to stream the workshop from their laptop to a larger screen, allowing them to settle into a comfortable space at home. Having drinks and snacks available, or meals prepared in advance can help you stay present and engaged throughout the sessions, making it easier to absorb the material and remain focused for the full weekend.

How Does The Couples Workshop Compare To Other Programs?

Yes. While the three-day workshop provides a strong foundation, couples don’t have to navigate the next steps alone. Participants have the option to continue with ongoing support through our membership community and marriage coaching, which are designed to help couples apply what they’ve learned, stay grounded in the principles, and continue making progress after the workshop ends.

This extended support allows couples to move beyond a single experience and into a process—reinforcing growth, accountability, and long-term change.

A: No, and that's intentional. A typical marriage retreat or couples retreat focuses on relaxation, reconnection activities, and romantic experiences. Those can be wonderful for couples who are already doing well and want to strengthen their bond.

But if your marriage is in crisis, a couples retreat won't give you what you need. You don't need a romantic getaway, you need to understand what broke and how to fix it.

The Couples Workshop is intensive education. You'll work hard. You'll learn the science behind attraction and connection. You'll examine uncomfortable truths. And you'll leave with actual tools and a plan, not just warm feelings that fade when you get home.

Many couples therapy retreats focus on communication skills and conflict resolution, which can be helpful for couples who are already emotionally engaged. Our couples workshop, held in the Nashville, TN area, goes deeper by teaching the underlying relationship dynamics that drive emotional connection, attraction, and commitment.

Because this workshop is educational and research-based, it is designed to help couples in serious marital crisis, including emotional disconnection, separation, and affairs. Couples leave with practical clarity and a framework they can apply immediately, often even when one spouse feels unsure or resistant.