Marriage Retreat

A marriage retreat with Couples Retreat means private, one-on-one time with Andrew Sofin, focused entirely on your relationship. Unlike group workshops, this format is intensive and tailored to one couple at a time, so nothing is diluted across a room of strangers. It is not a guaranteed fix. It is concentrated, uninterrupted space to reconnect, hear each other, and move forward together at your own pace, in a setting built around the two of you.

How an Intensive Marriage Retreat Differs From Group Workshops

Group marriage retreats bring several couples together for shared exercises and discussion. That is a different experience from what Couples Retreat offers. Here, every session is one-on-one with Andrew Sofin, whose 25+ years of clinical experience shape each intensive marriage therapy retreat specifically around your relationship. Sessions run as long as clinically necessary rather than on a fixed clock, so the work follows what the two of you actually need, not a preset schedule set by a wider group.

How an Intensive Marriage Retreat Differs From Group Workshops

Group marriage retreats bring several couples together for shared exercises and discussion. That is a different experience from what Couples Retreat offers. Here, every session is one-on-one with Andrew Sofin, whose 25+ years of clinical experience shape each intensive marriage therapy retreat specifically around your relationship. Sessions run as long as clinically necessary rather than on a fixed clock, so the work follows what the two of you actually need, not a preset schedule set by a wider group.

Is a Marriage Retreat Right for You?

A marriage retreat suits couples who want faster progress than weekly sessions allow. Whether you are navigating relationship distress, a communication breakdown, or simply a sense of distance, the format offers privacy and space away from daily distractions. The scheduling flexibility lets you focus fully on each other, without the interruptions of ordinary life. This is an invitation either partner can raise, not an ultimatum. If one of you is curious, that is often a good enough place to begin.

The Private, One-on-One Retreat Experience

Every session is one-on-one with Andrew Sofin, MA, RP, TCF, RMFT. There are no rotating staff and no shared groups. Each intensive marriage therapy retreat is structured around your specific goals. A typical day pairs couples therapy in the morning with individual therapy in the afternoon, giving space for both shared work and personal reflection. The plan stays flexible, shaped by what emerges as you and your partner work through what matters most to you.

What to Expect Before You Arrive

Your marriage counseling retreat begins before you arrive, with a private initial consultation. This is where you and your partner name your goals and the concerns you most want to address. It gives Andrew Sofin a clear picture of your relationship so the time together is focused from the start. This structured, clinically guided process means you walk in prepared, knowing what the days ahead are designed to hold and how the work will unfold for you both.

Virtual and In-Person Retreat Options

For couples who cannot travel, virtual therapy sessions with Andrew Sofin are available, offering the same one-on-one focus from wherever you are. The in-person retreat remains the core, immersive experience, giving you full distance from daily routines and the concentrated time a marriage weekend retreat is built to provide. Having both options means the format can meet your circumstances, so travel or scheduling limits never have to stand between you and the work you want to do.

Virtual and In-Person Retreat Options

For couples who cannot travel, virtual therapy sessions with Andrew Sofin are available, offering the same one-on-one focus from wherever you are. The in-person retreat remains the core, immersive experience, giving you full distance from daily routines and the concentrated time a marriage weekend retreat is built to provide. Having both options means the format can meet your circumstances, so travel or scheduling limits never have to stand between you and the work you want to do.

Continuing Progress After Your Retreat

Some couples leave with the tools they were looking for and feel ready to carry the work forward on their own. Others find that a little more support helps. That is why many marriage retreats include a post-retreat follow-up option. These virtual follow-up sessions with Andrew Sofin help reinforce the progress made during your time together and keep new patterns steady as you settle back into everyday life, at whatever pace feels right for you both.

Couples Retreat and Andrew Sofin: Your Marriage Retreat Guide

At Couples Retreat, Andrew Sofin, MA, RP, TCF, RMFT, personally leads every retreat. One clinician, one couple, full attention. His authority rests on more than 25 years of experience, his role as President of the CACFT (Canadian Association for Couples and Family Therapy), and his work as a Visiting Professor at the University of Guelph. That depth guides each couple through what is genuinely happening in their relationship, together and at your pace.

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frequently asked questions

How is intensive marriage therapy different from other marriage retreats?
Many marriage retreats bring together several couples for group exercises and shared discussions. Intensive marriage therapy retreats at Couples Retreat work differently. Your time is entirely private and one-on-one with Andrew Sofin, focused solely on your relationship. Nothing is shared with a group, and the pace follows what the two of you need rather than a set agenda. That concentration lets you address what matters most without the distractions of a group setting.
A marriage retreat can suit couples in many situations. Some arrive in real distress, carrying years of hurt they have never had space to address. Others have a good relationship and simply want to strengthen it and reconnect more deeply. Both are valid reasons to come. If you and your partner want focused, uninterrupted time to hear each other and move forward together, this format may be a meaningful fit for where you are right now.
Yes. Alongside the in-person marriage weekend retreat, Couples Retreat offers virtual therapy sessions with Andrew Sofin. For couples who cannot travel, this brings the same private, one-on-one focus to a format that fits around your circumstances. The in-person experience remains the most immersive option, giving you full distance from daily life. The virtual option simply makes the work accessible when travel is not practical, so you can still begin when the time feels right.
That depends on the couple. Some leave their marriage counselling retreat with the tools they need and feel ready to continue on their own. Others find that ongoing support helps the progress settle. Couples Retreat offers post-retreat follow-up sessions for this reason, letting you reinforce what you built together over the days of intensive work. There is no set requirement. What comes next is shaped around your relationship and what feels genuinely useful to you both.
Preparation for a private marriage retreat begins with an initial consultation with Andrew Sofin. In that conversation, you and your partner name your goals and the concerns you most want to address, which helps shape the time ahead. Beyond that, it helps to arrange travel and scheduling so you can step away from daily demands and focus fully on each other. Arriving with a shared sense of what you hope for makes the work more focused.