Do you ever feel like your marriage is adrift, with no one guiding the ship? Do you know something is wrong but no one appears to tell you exactly the problem or exactly what is needed to heal the problems? Have you tried to get help but it seems that it is too little, too late?

Terry and Stephen are in that situation, both feeling helpless and hopeless. Both blame the other for their marriage problems, and yet both also sense that someone needs to come in and guide them along a path of healing.

Married for fifteen years with two young children in the home, they have been fighting off and on for the duration of their marriage. Like many others who reach out to me for help, they have been to counseling several times with little change.

At The End of Your Rope

Terry has reached a breaking point. She decided to separate in the hopes that she could “catch my breath.” She wanted more than that, of course. She wanted to break free of the incessant bickering in the hopes that she could determine a healthier direction for their marriage.

Terry and Stephen are normal. They are typical of most couples struggling to find direction. Both feel discouraged and desperate to find answers. Yet, the opinions they’ve received from pastors, marriage counselors, physicians and friends are confusing to them. The direction they’ve received is conflicting and unclear. Furthermore, both have the sense that no one has really looked into the inner workings of their marriage and named the problems and severity of it.

Terry and Stephen are now separated and I am consulting both of them individually. Terry refuses to enter back into marriage counseling and Stephen feels desperate to save their marriage. Terry wants time to reflect and consider her options.

Stuck in a Holding Pattern

“I’ve tried counseling,” Terry told me in a phone consultation. “No one can tell me exactly what to do. All I know is that we weren’t making any progress and I can’t live that way any longer.”

“What guidance have you been given?” I asked.

“I’ve been told a lot of different things,” she said. “There is really no one who has stepped in to guide me. My girlfriends support me and my parents tell me I shouldn’t have to live this way.”

In talking to Stephen, he has much the same story.

“She is intent on separation, and I don’t know exactly what I need to do to save our marriage. I’m willing to do anything, but she will no longer talk to me. She wants space and so all I can do is wait.”

“But waiting alone won’t save your marriage, Stephen,” I said. “There are problems in your marriage that need attention. Waiting is very unlikely to bring clarity and direction.”

There is Another Way

In separate conversations with Stephen and Terry, I recommended the Therapeutic Healing Process. I described to them the following scenario:

“I will meet with you both for several hours, taking a thorough history and arriving at a conclusion as to what you bring to the marriage problems. I will listen to you share what you believe you do to sabotage intimacy as well as what you believe your mate does that creates problems. I will bring my expertise to bear on what I hear and what I believe needs to happen. Then we will gather for the purpose of healing those wounds and learning to speak to each other in a healthy manner. After several individual and couples sessions, utilizing new skills, you both will be in a better position to decide how you want to proceed. At the least we will have a clear direction for your marriage, and at the most we will have direction and healing for the wounds created in your marriage.”

As I talked to Terry and Stephen, I reminded them of the Biblical truths we had to follow.

“Solomon nailed it,” I said, “when he said there are seven things the Lord hates. I’d like to suggest these seven things be avoided at all costs:Both agreed that these truths would be a backdrop to our work. Terry was particularly cautious but willing to proceed.

“We’ve haven’t really had that kind of direction,” she shared anxiously. “I don’t want to fight with him anymore. I can’t take it. I’m willing to give this a try.”

“There will be no fighting, Terry,” I said. “Our sessions will be highly structured and you both will agree to be prayerful and listen to each other.”

Stephen was hopeful and wanted to proceed. We laid out the following guidelines: “Spirit of Humility”

First, both would come to the sessions in a spirit of humility and openness for the purpose of healing. We agreed that these sessions would not be marriage counseling, per se. Rather, they would be a time to examine hearts, attitudes and behaviors that have created wounds. Each would have an opportunity to share their part in the marriage problems and what they believed their mate contributed to the problems. We would step back so to speak, to openly look at each person’s part in creating wounds in the marriage.

“Examine the Truth”

Second, we would examine the truth regarding their marriage problems. Looking at the history of their marriage, with each person owning their part, we would examine the truth of the marriage problems. We would assume that both had hurt the other and both needing healing from the other.

“Heal the Wounds”

Third, we would work together to heal wounds. Both agreed to proceed with understanding that they had wounded the other and would take responsibility for adding to the healing of their mate. Each would agree to do their part to help their mate heal and would also seek wise counsel to heal their character issues that contributed problems to their marriage.

“Accountability”

Fourth, we would hold each other accountable for individual change. Together we agreed to meet for several two-hour sessions to do ‘healing work.’ They agreed to come to the Therapeutic H.aling Process ready to own their part in the marriage problems and the impact they have had on their mate. They agreed to follow my guidance and any other professionals that became part of the healing process.

“Map Out a Plan”

Finally, we would map out a plan going forward. After the Therapeutic Healing Process we would develop a plan going forward. Both agreed to seek clarity and truth and to utilize that truth to develop a plan going forward. Both agreed to utilize the truths that emerged from this process in developing a plan for their marriage going forward.

Taking the Next Step

Do you think that you could benefit from the Therapeutic Healing Process? Our team would love to help. You can contact us here, or call our Client Care team at 206.219.0145. We look forward to hearing from you!