Office of Marriage & Family Life

For Your Marriage

For Your Marriage is a web resource prepared by the USCCB to support couples in various stages of their relationship - from dating, to engagement, marriage, parenthood, and beyond. There is a special page for couples who are looking for support in overcoming adversity. 

Marriage Trac

MarriageTrac is a presence on the internet viewed by a million couples annually who are looking for anonymous, high-quality, faith-based marriage help at zero cost to them. It's a “marriage hub” with expert articles, author interviews, devotionals, and marriage-building resources.
 

The Top 7 Ways to Improve Your Marriage

The Gottman Institute is an organization that offers research-based resources for marriages and families. While not explicitly Christian, this blog post offers practical communication strategies that can be helpful for couples of all backgrounds, and demonstrates ways for us to follow the instructions of Jesus in our marriage.

Retrouvaille

Retrouvaille is for couples struggling in their marriages, even those considering divorce. No matter the source of the hurt, couples can find healing with Retrouvaille. Through a weekend experience plus six follow-up sessions, couples learn to communicate once again, to reconnect with and rediscover each other.

For confidential information about Retrouvaille Seattle, call (206) 706-2608 or visit the Retrouvaille Seattle website.

Crown Financial Ministries

Crown exists to help individuals, families, and churches live in financial freedom as a direct result of heart transformation. They offer a wide variety of free tools to help families who are working to get out of debt, live on a budget, save for the future, invest, and truly exercise stewardship over their financial resources. 

Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University

Money is the number one stressor for marriages. Whether it is budgeting, debt, or funding an unexpected cost, finances can be a harrowing and dividing experience for couples. If your family needs help, Financial Peace University can be a tool to use to take control of your finances. Some parishes offer courses, and classes are offered both in-person or online. 

 

Affair Recovery

Affair Recovery is a faith-based online support community for spouses dealing with the devastation of infidelity. There is an online 13-week course offered and weekend retreats to help couples heal.

The Archdiocese of Seattle does not recommend counselors. However, there are networks of marriage therapists that seek to provide help and support for marriages. Below is a list of some independent organizations that have compiled lists of marriage and family therapists. This does not constitute a referral or endorsement of any therapists or counselors listed. 

Please exercise your prudential judgment in seleting a counselor and check with your insurance to determine if they will cover these services. 
 

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

The AAMFT is a professional association for the field of marriage and family therapy. They have a very large database of licensed therapists around the country. 

Focus On the Family Counseling services

Focus on the Family provides resources to help families thrive. They also offer a one-time, complimentary consultation from a Christian counselor via phone. 

Samaritan Center of Puget Sound

Samaritan is a local mental health service. Their head office is based in Seattle, but they also have locations in Shoreline, Bellevue, and South King County. They also offer teletherapy for those who are unable to come for in person appointments. They provide counseling, education, consultation, mediation and other services for individuals, families, congregations and organizations.

The Gottman Institute Referral Network

Members of the Gottman Referral Network (GRN) have received training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, an approach based on 40 years of research with thousands of couples. GRN therapists are equipped to provide support to couples, individuals, children and/or families on many issues in addition to couples therapy, including anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, abuse, blended family issues, and more. Therapists listed in the GRN network are licensed mental health professionals who work independently from their own private practice offices.

Below are some excerpts from the Frequently Asked Questions sheet provided by the Tribunal Office. Please know that the annulment process is nuanced and can vary from case to case. 

For detailed information on marriage and tribunal processes, please call the Tribunal Office at (206) 382-4830 or 1-800-950-4926, or download these FAQs.
 

How does a couple begin the process of seeking an annulment?

Generally speaking, a person starts by contacting a parish priest or another designated pastoral minister who has been trained as an advocate for marriage cases.

How long does the process take? 

There are so many variable factors involved that it is impossible to predict the length of time a particular case may take. In many dioceses, under ideal circumstances, a formal case typically takes between a year and 18 months after receipt of the petition and other materials. A case can move along more rapidly if all documents are presented as requested and if the parties and witnesses reply in a timely and informative fashion. However, the time involved also depends on the number of cases submitted and the availability of Tribunal personnel, and in the briefer formal case process the availablity of the Archbishop. 

How do I locate an Advocate?

In the Archdiocese of Seattle, most Catholic parishes have persons trained as Advocates for marriage cases. They are appointed to assist those who are involved in marriage cases. Please contact your local parish or a parish near you to arrange an appointment with a certified Advocate. If you are not resident in the Archdiocese of Seattle, please contact the Seattle Tribunal for assistance.