Numbers matter when you're making a decision about your marriage. Here's what the data shows about Retrouvaille's effectiveness, and how to interpret these statistics honestly.
Key Success Statistics
Of couples who complete the full Retrouvaille program (weekend plus follow-up sessions), over 80% remain married and report improved relationships.
The vast majority of program participants say they would recommend Retrouvaille to other struggling couples.
How These Numbers Compare
To put these statistics in context:
Traditional Counseling
- Success rates vary widely (30-70%)
- Depends heavily on therapist and approach
- Often requires months or years of sessions
- High dropout rates
Retrouvaille
- 80%+ success rate for completers
- Consistent methodology worldwide
- 3-month structured program
- Higher completion rates than therapy
Understanding The Numbers
We believe in transparency about what these statistics mean:
What "Success" Means
The 80%+ figure represents couples who:
- Remained married after completing the program
- Report improvement in their relationship
- Completed follow-up surveys
The "Completers" Factor
This statistic applies to couples who complete the full program - both the weekend and follow-up sessions. Couples who attend only the weekend or drop out early are not counted in this success rate.
This is similar to how weight loss programs report results for people who complete the program, not everyone who starts. The commitment to complete matters.
Self-Reported Data
Like most relationship program research, these results come from participant surveys. Couples self-report whether they stayed together and whether their relationship improved. There's no third-party verification.
What Increases Success
Research and experience show these factors improve outcomes:
Who Attends Retrouvaille?
Couples come to Retrouvaille at every stage of marriage difficulty:
- Couples in crisis - Facing separation, divorce, infidelity, or severe breakdown
- Couples sensing disillusionment - Feeling disconnected, worried about where things are heading
- Couples wanting to prevent problems - Recognizing warning signs early
During the weekend, presenting couples share stories that span this full spectrum - from severe crises to quieter struggles. This ensures every couple can relate to at least some of what they hear, regardless of where they are in their journey.
Program History & Reach
Retrouvaille has been helping couples since 1977:
- 47+ years of continuous operation
- 100,000+ couples served worldwide through the Retrouvaille program
- 30+ countries with active programs
- Multiple languages - programs available in English, Spanish, French, and more
Independent Research
While most data comes from internal program surveys, Retrouvaille has also been referenced in marriage and family therapy literature as an evidence-based intervention. The intensive weekend format combined with follow-up support follows models that research supports as effective for relationship intervention.
The Bottom Line
No program can guarantee success. Every marriage is different, and outcomes depend on many factors including the specific issues, both partners' commitment, and whether the tools learned are actually used.
But the numbers are clear: the majority of couples who commit to the full Retrouvaille process stay together and report genuine improvement. Whether you're in crisis or sensing early warning signs, those odds are worth considering. Many couples say their only regret was not coming sooner.
Join the thousands of couples - from those in crisis to those seeking to strengthen their connection.