Marriage Rescue Retreats
a marriage crisis interventionMarriage Counselors for Private Intensive Marriage Retreats
If you’re in a hard season, you don’t need generic advice. You need a calm, skilled guide who can help you slow things down, understand what’s actually happening, and rebuild connection step by step.
Our counselors work with couples facing high-conflict communication, emotional distance, betrayal, and years of built-up resentment. Retreats are private, focused, and designed to create real progress in a short time, with follow-up support after you return home.
Compare 3, 4, & 5 day retreats →
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Speak With a Counselor
704-402-9325
Meet the Counselors Behind Marriage Rescue Retreats
Every counselor on our team is here for the same reason: to help couples find their footing again. You’ll be met with warmth, clarity, and a structured process that keeps the conversation productive, even when emotions are highMeet the Experts Behind Our Marriage Retreats.
Focus on counseling expertise, professional experience, and personalized support.
Dennis Welch, M.Div.
Pastoral Counselor | Master’s in Biblical Counseling
Dennis brings decades of experience helping couples rebuild trust, restore communication, and move forward with a clear plan. His style is steady, direct, and compassionate.
Often helps with:
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Betrayal and broken trust
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High-conflict communication and recurring arguments
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Rebuilding safety after years of resentment
What couples say they value: clear guidance, calm leadership, practical steps
Nathan Murray, M.A.
Clinical Pastoral Counselor
Nathan works with couples who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure whether change is even possible. He creates a safe space to understand what is happening and then move into action.
Often helps with:
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Emotional distance and disconnection
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Patterns of shutdown, criticism, or defensiveness
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Couples who need structure and tools, not just talk
What couples say they value: empathy without softness, clarity without harshness
Susan Richards, B.S.; M.A.(pending)
Pastoral Counselor
Susan is known for warmth and steady encouragement, especially for couples who feel hopeless or exhausted. She helps couples find the root issues underneath the conflict and build healthier patterns.
Often helps with:
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Feeling stuck in the same painful cycle
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Blended family and parenting stress
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Couples who need help communicating without escalation
What couples say they value: compassion, patience, practical tools
Jason Ebeling, M.Div.
Pastoral Counselor
Jason brings years of counseling experience and a grounded, non-judgmental approach. He is skilled at helping couples rebuild trust and move from conflict to connection.
Often helps with:
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Long-standing conflict and repeated unresolved issues
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Rebuilding intimacy and friendship
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Couples who want a structured path forward
What couples say they value: calm presence, clear steps, strong follow-through
Our Founders
Wendy Godfrey, M.Div.
Pastoral Counselor, Masters in Clinical Counseling
Wendy was a specialist in marriage crisis counseling. She also had advanced training in Solution-Oriented Counseling and developed unique tools and techniques for total marriage recovery, still used at Marriage Rescue today. Her training and tools give Marriage Rescue a high success rate.
John Z. Godfrey, M.A.
Clinical Pastoral Counselor
John had extensive experience helping couples overcome barriers in their marriages. Whether facing infidelity or exhaustion, he worked with each spouse to dismantle long-standing issues, allowing them joy and freedom. He also had compassion for those with sexual difficulties and addictions. John was non-judgmental and treated each spouse with understanding and compassion. His influence is how our counselors strive to relate to couples.
Professional Affiliations
What It’s Like to Work With a Counselor Here
A private marriage retreat is a focused, multi-day counseling experience where you and your spouse work one-on-one with a counselor to rebuild trust, restore communication, and leave with a clear plan forward. It is private, structured, and tailored to your relationship.What you can expect
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A calm, guided process that keeps conversations from spiraling
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Practical tools to communicate without blame, shutdown, or escalation
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A written plan for what to do next, not just what went wrong
How to start
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Confirm dates and reserve your retreat
Frequently Asked Questions
Are retreats private, or is this group counseling?
Retreats are private. It is just you, your spouse, and your counselor.
Do we need to be Christian to work with your counselors?
No. The approach is faith-informed, but you will be treated with respect and care regardless of background. If you want to understand the ministry foundation, you can read the Statement of Faith.
How do we know which counselor we will work with?
We’ll recommend the best fit based on your situation, timing, and availability.
What issues do you typically help couples with?
High-conflict communication, emotional distance, betrayal and trust repair, blended family stress, parenting strain, and long-standing resentment.
Do you offer virtual options?
In-person is recommended, but options may be available depending on your situation. See Locations and Options
What happens after the retreat?
You receive follow-up support and guidance so you can keep building on the progress you made.