Parishes also offer retreat programs for couples as well as for wives and husbands individually. When a couple experiences substantial difficulties, divorce is not always the first recourse. There are individuals, trained counselors and small firms specializing in mediation. We re used to seeing this in union negotiation situations or perhaps as an alternative to small-claims court. But these services are now available more widely to individuals who need help in settling divisive differences with friends, family, neighbors or spouses.
Mediation is a constructive step toward resolving differences.
It offers a couple a resource that will at least slow down any deterioration in a relationship and bring in an objective third party to help sort out problems. More traditional, counseling is yet another alternative. This will, of course, take different forms. A couple can speak to a priest trained in counseling, seek a family or marriage counselor or talk to a personal therapist or psychiatrist. Here, too, the intent is to slow down the pending breakup of a relationship to ensure the opportunity to understand clearly just what is happening and seek solutions other than divorce.