In addition to the Couples Retreat Itinerary listed above, your registration for the Poconos Weekend Getaway retreats includes:

• 6 Seminar Sessions
• Each session includes lectures, discussions and practice exercises with personalized coaching from Michael and Laura
• Love Is an Action Verb Workbook (and some other surprise merch 🙂
• Access to hiking grounds, meditation center and yoga classes
• Three vegetarian buffet meals per day

What is not included in your registration for the Poconos Weekend Getaway Couples Retreat

• Lodging (see below for lodging options)

Yes.

Check out our DIY Online Couples Retreat. This video series includes step-by-step instructions for how to create your own retreat.

It's easy to follow the advice and do your homework exercises as soon as you carve out the time. Learn more HERE.

We call this weekend getaway a couples therapy retreat because both the instructors are licensed couples therapists who are teaching you strategies and skills they use in their couples therapy offices.

These techniques are evidence-based and backed by science, but the format is an educational program, which does not take the place of traditional couples therapy.

You will receive a full refund (minus a 5% processing fee) if you cancel 45 days prior to the event.

This Poconos weekend getaway couples retreat is ideal for any couple who dreams of a deep and fulfilling relationship with their partner.

Whether you’re dating, newlyweds, or coming up on your 50th wedding anniversary, you will benefit from carving out time to prioritize relationship health.

It is NOT indicated for couples who are in or fear they may be in an abusive or toxic relationship. If you are not sure if this retreat is indicated, schedule a conversation with Laura to discuss your specific concerns.

The Himalayan Institute is an all-inclusive retreat center that includes yoga and meditation classes, access to 400-acre grounds, 4 hiking trails, and 3 vegetarian buffets per day.

It is located in the breathtaking Pocono Mountains and is known for its commitment to conscious simplicity. The campus is quiet and distraction-free with simple rooms, void of televisions or luxurious decor.

The buffet menu is comprised of local, clean seasonal plant-based foods. There is a coffee shop and convenience store on campus with baked goods and healthy snacks. (Of course you can leave the campus at any time if you're craving a Milky Way or a cheeseburger 🙂

Many lodging options are available if you sign up early, and range from cost-effective communal living to private suites.

The vegetarian buffet includes clean seasonal foods that have been show to calm your nervous system for an optimal retreat experience.

That said, the town of Honesdale offers various dining options, from casual to fine dining. You will have free time between seminars to eat off campus to accommodate your eating preferences

No.

You can find your own lodging and attend the seminars during the day. A $40 fee will allow you full access to all the amenities and buffet meals at the retreat center.

Gottman couples workshops have been shown to achieve results similar to those of 6 months of couples therapy. Research showed that 94% of workshop attendees reported positive result.

There are no prerequisites to attending a couples retreat. The weekend is self-contained and is appropriate even if you’ve never heard of Dr. John Gottman, or Laura and Michael Silverstein.

Some find it helpful to check out some of the information on our website, but even this is not required.

No. (Unless you want to)

The seminars include a combination of lectures, classroom discussions, and private opportunities for you and your partner to practice skills. Michael and Laura rove through the room to offer personalized guidance and answer questions.

While it is not required to share private information, you might find that a natural community forms. The environment is relaxed and supportive, and you will be meeting other like-minded couples who are also passionate about self-growth.

This can often help people recognize that their struggles are normal and they are not alone in the challenge of maintaining a healthy relationship.

No.

Unfortunately, the buildings are not currently handicapped accessible. They are in the process of raising funds to expand accessibility.

No.

This particular couples therapy retreat is designed for two people. Each seminar includes break-out sessions with communication practice exercises.

If you are looking for ways to improve your relationship health on your own, we recommend Love Is an Action Verb, by Laura Silverstein. It's a relationship self-help book you can read on your own with a specific focus on what you, alone, can do to improve your relationship.

Yes.

We are committed to inclusion regarding who people love and how they love. While the workshop is designed to be dyadic, the exercises can be altered to fit your individual needs.