Couples Work Through Troubles In Alternative Counseling Program

Tue., Jan. 21, 1997

Elana Ashanti Jefferson Staff Writer

“I am not exaggerating when I say that this program made the difference between making our marriage work and ending up in divorce court.”

This testament comes from one Spokane woman who participated in a new program designed to help troubled couples salvage their marriages.

Retrouvaille, French for rediscovery, is the name of an alternative to traditional marriage counseling. Developed by the Roman Catholic Church, the program consists of one weekend retreat and six follow-up sessions. The entire program costs $350.

Couples who resurrected their troubled marriages present personal scenarios during Retrouvaille. Then participants privately discuss their own problems.

From her office at St. Joseph’s Family Center near Mission Park, Sister Carol Ann Warnke coordinates Spokane’s Retrouvaille program.

“The 10 participating couples reflect on topics such as forgiveness, trust and communication,” Warnke says. “They talk with each other, as opposed to developing a deep relationship with a therapist.”

Retrouvaille teaches couples invaluable skills for maintaining a strong marriage, Warnke says.

In order to participate in Retrouvaille, couples must be married, they must address drug or alcohol abuse, they must terminate extramarital affairs and they must possess a deep desire to solve their marital problems.

The Retrouvaille weekend is not a religious retreat. However, couples are encouraged to incorporate spirituality into their marriage.

Nora and Bill, who prefer not to use their last name, participated in Retrouvaille last fall. The two rekindled their marriage after four years of arguing and alienation. “I have never worked so hard in my life,” Nora says about the Retrouvaille weekend. “Emotional work is so much harder than physical work.”

The international Retrouvaille organization began in 1977 and now operates in 14 countries worldwide.

Retrouvaille may help a married couple you know. For more information, call Sister Carol Ann Warnke at 487-1027.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: Created in support of the Spokane County Health Improvement Partnership (HIP), Discoveries highlights people working to improve community health and well-being. If you have a discovery that deserves recognition, call Elana Ashanti Jefferson at 459-5419. To get involved with HIP, call 482-2557.

Created in support of the Spokane County Health Improvement Partnership (HIP), Discoveries highlights people working to improve community health and well-being. If you have a discovery that deserves recognition, call Elana Ashanti Jefferson at 459-5419. To get involved with HIP, call 482-2557.

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