The atmosphere of this retreat is upbeat and casual. We address specific challenges first responder couples face, but we won't spend the day focusing on their impact, but, rather, on the solutions that turn challenges into opportunities to grow a strong marriage stronger. 

Our guest speakers and group leaders are made up of therapists who are either married to first responders or have experience treating first responders and their spouses. Our leadership team bring expertise in marriage and family therapy and trauma focused therapy. Combined with them, are leaders who are active or retired first responders with mental health training. 

The content of the retreat will address the specific needs of police officers, firefighters, EMS, and dispatchers, as well as the spouses married to them.

Beginning with the setup, you will be seated in the main event area at tables of eight, where ever you choose to sit, allowing you to socialize with other first responder couples. Many friendships have been made from this experience alone. The main presentations in this main event area will be less than an hour, allowing for plenty of time for the breakout groups. The topics are solution oriented, rather than statistics and stories of failed marriages. You will find fun and humor in the non-intrusive interactive couple experiences we have prior to each breakout.

Aside from this, we will have military veteran Executive Chef Warren Cooley cooking Tex-Mex on location for our luncheon, and we will conclude the day with door prizes.

The breakout groups are the most popular part of our retreat, according to previous attendees. They provide separate groups in the morning with two groups for police officers or firefighters/EMS—dispatchers can join either group. A third group will be only for their spouses. In the afternoon, first responder spouses will join their partners in two groups of police officers or firefighters/EMS.

Rather than teaching a formal curriculum to breakout groups, our group leaders bring topics to initiate discussion; however, it is a platform for the group to discuss any topics they bring up. This leads to the remarkable benefit of an open and private way to share or hear advice from peers in similar situations. 

A final note: No one is called on to speak during any breakout group; your participation level is up to you.

Our retreat will begin promptly at 8:30AM, with registration opening at 8:00AM; however, we understand shift work and schedules, and will be able to direct you to the proper place if you come late. We would rather you benefit from joining us late, than not attending at all.

The venue we are leasing is located in Arlington, Texas, not far from the OT Cribbs Public Safety Complex. The address is provided with your ticket package. The venue is private only to this retreat and will not be publicly accessible. If you would like hotel recommendations, please reach out to us at: support@mindingthemarriage.com