*Links marked with an asterisk are to web sites requiring discernment, but nevertheless offer substantial help to individuals and families.

The PREP Approach*
PREP is the most respected marriage enhancement program based upon empircal research. It has a proven track record of strengthening marriages. Studies have shown that after five years of marriage, PREP training is considerably more effective than both Marriage Enounter and regular Pre-Cana courses. Want to learn a simple way on how to handle marital differences without destroying your relationship? If your answer is yes, then PREP training is your solution. PREP is designed for both engaged couples as well as already married couples. The Family Life Center is looking for Catholic couples trained as PREP presenter couples.
www.prepinc.com

A Lasting Promise
A Christian Guide to Fighting for Your Marriage by Scott Stanley
This book is a (non-denominational) Christian guide to PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program).

The book shows how to strengthen marital communication by teaching couples (engaged or married for years) how to minimize harmful verbal conflict using the speaker-listener technique. How you handle verbal conflict in marital communication is one of the most important predictors of the well-being of your marriage. University studies have verified the extraordinary effectiveness of PREP in preventing divorce and healing hurting marriages. More.

Building Marriage Your Marriage on the Rock
Marriage and family expert Steve Wood shares timeless wisdom and practical advice with couples in what has become one of our most popular CD albums ever. More.

Strengthening Your Marriage (CD)
Over three-fourths of unhappy marriages become happy ones, if negative marital communication ceases. The CD teaches you a short-course in marital communication. More.

Dying for a Drink (Book)

Are you looking for the answers to these questions: Why do people become alcoholics? Is addiction a disease or a sin? More.

Dying for a Drink (CD)

This CD offers practical advice on how to overcome an alcoholic addiction. Learn: How much is too much drinking? What are the signs of alcoholism? Is getting drunk a sin? More.

Catholic Therapists
The demand for Christian counseling is literally exploding as more and more people have become disillusioned with secular counseling. For those individuals and families who seek specifically Catholic practitioners, CatholicTherapists.com lists qualified counselors. Read this important information before visiting CatholicTherapist.com.
www.CatholicTherapists.com

Marriage Recovery Program
This program involves a high commitment and cost, but those completing it have the highest success rates in saving their marriage.
www.marriagerecovery.com

Marriage Intensives
Unlike weekly counseling sessions, marriage intensive programs are a multi-day, focused, counseling experience. A four-day intensive may restore your marriage more than what might be accomplished with four months of traditional counseling.

The Gary Smalley National Institute of Marriage (NIM) is the first organization to specialize in marriage intensives. For most couples the four-day intensive is the best choice. Other options include the “Spouses Intensives” when only one spouse is open to restore a marriage. 70% of those attending a NIM intensive are on the brink of divorce and the vast majority of those attending report they are more satisfied in their marriage. The counselors with the NIM are Evangelical Protestants, although they welcome both Protestants and Catholics to participate. A significant number of Catholics have successfully completed in the intensives.
http://www.nationalmarriage.com/services.asp

Marriage Savers*
An extremely effective organization led by Michael and Harriet McManus with proven strategies to:

Strengthen existing marriages
Save 80-90% of the most troubled marriages
Prepare couples for lifelong marriage
Equip churches to effectively save marriages in their midst

http://www.marriagesavers.org

Retrouvaille
An organization experienced and equipped to help renew and restore hurting marriages. (Once on the Retrouvaille home page click "listed telephone numbers" for an international directory of local Retrouvaille leaders.)
http://www.retrouvaille.org

Couple to Couple League
A unique organization extremely effective in improving marital satisfaction through teaching the art of Natural Family Planning.
http://www.ccli.org

Marriage Encounter
Dynamic couple weekends designed to transform your marriage.
http://www.wwme.org

Catholic Institute for the Psychological Sciences
http://www.ipsciences.edu

St. Michael's Institute
The St. Michael's Institute is an alliance of mental health professionals who integrate the genuine discoveries of Psychology and Psychiatry with the teaching of the Catholic Church. Members of the St. Michael's Institute is a good starting place to locate a counselor. Please be advised we do not personally know each of the counselors recommended by the St. Michaels Institute. Therefore, we cannot give any type of assurance that a particular counselor is reliable. We ask that you consult local clergy, mental health experts, and other nearby compentent professionals for a final opinion on any referral.
http://www.saintmichael.net