The Four C’s

CONFLICT: There are many examples of conflict we can address in a marriage retreat, including:

• Emotional Affairs
• Extramarital Affairs
• Boundary Conflicts
• Money Conflicts
• Time Management Conflicts
• Sexual Preferences and Incompatibilities
• Disagreements about Parenting.
• Attachment Styles
• Addiction Conflicts
• Other Crises

CROSSROADS: Major life changes can cause a marriage to falter. Some changes are welcome, but change is often difficult and stressful, even on the best marriages. Here are some examples of transitions that we support in our marriage retreats:

• Becoming Parents
• Death and Loss
• Job Status
• Mid-life Transition
• Empty Nest
• Retirement
• Health Decline

COMMUNICATION: Communication styles differ from person to person, family to family, and country to country. Since we are always expressing ourselves verbally and nonverbally, it is impossible not to communicate.

It’s essential that each partner is able to express their deepest feelings, needs, desires, fears, hopes, and dreams. More than this, partners need to feel that they are heard. Many partners don’t know how to actively listen to their partner, especially when their beliefs and ideas conflict. In the beginning, active listening can feel unfamiliar or terrifying. But it sure does get sexy quickly!

CONNECTION: The three pillars of connection in relationship are LIKE, LOVE, and LUST.

• LOVE: If you’re looking at a marriage retreat with your spouse, there’s probably LOVE
• LIKE: If you’re in conflict, you may not LIKE each other very much right now.
• LUST: And what about sex, especially with aging bodies, erectile dysfunction, and lack of libido? As a somatic practitioner, Dr. Elizabeth helps couples increase their feelings of LUST and reclaim their bodies sexually.