In recent months, I had been feeling the strain in my marriage, and I had no idea where to turn for help. After attending a Sunday service, I noticed an announcement about marriage counseling in the church bulletin. I decided to reach out. The next day, I called the church office and spoke with a kind receptionist who assured me that many couples seek help through the church. The pastor, who specializes in marriage counseling, scheduled an appointment with her.
In the first session, the pastor welcomed us both warmly, creating a safe space to discuss our challenges openly. He listened carefully and offered practical advice rooted in faith on how to strengthen your relationship. My spouse and I attended regular counseling sessions over the next few weeks, where trust was rebuilt and communication improved. The church’s guidance and encouragement helped me reconnect with my husband and move forward together.
List of Churches That Help With Marriage Counseling
From premarital counseling to crisis intervention, churches across denominations offer services to foster healthy, enduring marriages. Here is a list of churches offering marriage counseling services, each dedicated to helping couples build a strong foundation based on love, trust, and spiritual unity.
1. Catholic Marriage Counseling Services
Through faith-based guidance, Catholic marriage counseling services assist couples in strengthening their relationships. Generally, Catholic counselors provide ethical guidance based on Catholic moral teachings. Through prayers, scripture readings, and teachings, counselors reinforce the spiritual and religious aspects of marriage.
2. Eagle Brook Church
In the United States, Eagle Brook Church is one of the largest and most influential Christian churches, known for its contemporary worship style and commitment to community outreach. Marriage counseling is available at Eagle Brook Church to help couples build healthy, strong relationships rooted in Christian values. To find out more, please visit “eaglebrookchurch.com/next-steps“.
3. Gateway Church
During premarital counseling, Gateway Church encourages engaged couples to participate in marriage education. Through this program, couples are prepared for marriage by learning about communication, financial planning, conflict resolution, and spiritual alignment. Premarital counseling at Gateway aims to lay a strong foundation for a successful marriage.
4. Catholic Churches
Catholic churches play an important role in marriage counseling, offering services rooted in Catholic teaching. The program helps couples understand the sacrament of marriage, explore communication, conflict resolution, family planning, and spiritual unity, and prepare for marriage.
Couples can receive support, healing, and guidance to navigate difficulties and restore their marriage. You can get that kind of support by visiting the Catholic churches in your area.
5. Other denominations
Many Protestant churches provide similar services, according to their specific theological beliefs and community needs.
Ways to Find Churches That Help With Marriage Counseling
Several methods exist for finding churches that provide marriage counseling. You can locate these services in several ways:
Church Websites: Visit local churches‘ websites. Marriage counseling is one of the services listed on the official websites of many churches. You can find marriage counseling churches by using search engines. Search terms such as “churches that offer marriage counseling near me”
Church directories: You can find churches near you by using websites like ChurchFinder, Yelp, or even Google Maps. Reviews and descriptions of these directories often mention whether marriage counseling is available.
Social media: On social media platforms such as Facebook, join the local community or religious groups. Information about church services, including counseling, is often shared among these groups. Using this neighborhood-focused social network, you can ask neighbors or community members for recommendations.
Word of mouth: Contact friends, family, or colleagues who may know of churches that offer marriage counseling. It is often possible to find trusted sources through personal recommendations. Ask a pastor or church member if counseling services are available in the church you regularly attend.
Contact the churches directly: Ask a specific church if they offer marriage counseling directly by phone or email. However, if they do not, they may be able to refer you to one nearby. In some cases, a face-to-face meeting can yield more information. During church office hours, you can inquire about counseling services.
How to Apply for Churches That Help With Marriage Counseling
The process of applying to a church for marriage counseling usually involves a few straightforward steps. You can apply in the following ways:
- Find potential churches: Find out which churches in your area offer marriage counseling. Check out church websites, contact local religious organizations, or ask friends or family for recommendations.
- Contact the church: Contact the church office by phone or email. Inquire about the application process and if marriage counseling is available. Some people prefer to visit the church in person. You can also discuss your needs with the pastor or counselor during this meeting.
- Fill out any necessary forms: Depending on the church, you might need to fill out an application form. A counseling intake form may ask you about your relationship, your relationship with your spouse, and your goals.
- Schedule an Initial Consultation: Schedule your first counseling session once your eligibility has been confirmed. During the initial consultation, you may meet with the pastor or counselor to discuss your issues and set goals. Discuss your relationship openly and honestly. In churches providing services to married couples, you may need to bring relevant documents, such as a marriage certificate.
Eligibility for Churches That Help With Marriage Counseling
Churches provide marriage counseling depending on the specific church and its policies. Here are some common factors that determine eligibility:
A church’s membership
The majority of churches offer marriage counseling to their members. Applicants who are active members of the church or their spouses are more likely to qualify. Non-members may also be able to receive counseling in some churches, especially if they are open to community outreach.
Religious affiliation
The church might prioritize counseling for couples who share the same religious beliefs or belong to the same denomination. Depending on their religious background, other churches may provide counseling to couples regardless of their religious background.
Marital Status
In most churches, couples who are legally married receive counseling. Engaged couples can also receive premarital counseling during marriage preparations. The church might prioritize the needs of couples experiencing severe marital difficulties, especially if one or both partners seek spiritual guidance.
Financial Considerations
The majority of churches offer marriage counseling for free or at a reduced cost to their members. Depending on the couple’s financial circumstances, some churches may have sliding scale fees. Some churches encourage couples to make donations instead of charging a set fee.
What Types of Marriage Counseling Services Does the Church Provide
Couples at different stages of their relationship often receive marriage counseling from churches. Churches may offer the following types of marriage counseling services:
- Counseling before marriage: Premarital counseling aims to help engaged couples prepare for marriage by discussing topics like communication, financial planning, family expectations, and conflict resolution. Depending on the church, some couples must submit this document before getting married.
- Continuing marriage counseling: Counseling is available at churches for married couples facing problems in their relationship, such as communication difficulties, trust issues, or intimacy issues. During these sessions, couples can work on strengthening their marriages and resolving conflicts.
- Counseling in crisis: Couples experiencing issues such as infidelity, separation, or separation on the brink of divorce can use crisis counseling to help navigate these challenging situations.
- Workshops on marriage and retreats: Some churches provide workshops, seminars, or retreats on relationship-building skills, communication, and maintaining a healthy marriage. Typically, these events include group sessions, activities, and Christian teachings.
- Counseling for conflict resolution: In this type of counseling, couples work through their specific disagreements or ongoing conflicts in a constructive and faith-based manner.
- Counseling spiritually: By taking this course, couples can learn how to integrate their faith into their marriage, improve their spiritual connection, and grow together in their religious beliefs.
- Support groups: Churches offer support groups for married couples, where they can share experiences, receive advice, and support one another. Pastors or trained facilitators can lead these groups.
FAQs
Do churches offer free marriage counseling or does it cost money?
Some churches provide free marriage counseling, while others may ask for donations or charge a fee. The cost may vary depending on the church’s resources and the counseling program. Additionally, some churches may offer marriage counseling online at a lower cost than in-person sessions.
How long does a marriage counseling program last at a church?
Depending on the type of counseling, the length of the program may vary. Some are short-term, consisting of a few sessions, while others last for months. In this case, it depends on the counselor’s approach as well as the needs of the individual. Depending on the complexity of the situation, some people may need more intensive counseling, while others may only need a few sessions to gain clarity.
If I don’t attend church, can I receive marriage counseling?
Many churches indeed provide marriage counseling services to individuals and couples who do not attend their church or who are not regular members. Church policies may vary, however. A few churches offer counseling to the broader community as an outreach to all, regardless of religion or attendance.
What can I expect in a marriage counseling session at a church?
During a typical session, you can expect to discuss communication, conflict resolution, and strengthening your relationship. A session may include prayer, scripture readings, and guidance based on Christian principles.