“Pairings” Retreat for Military Couples
The Washington DC VA Medical Center (DCVAMC) wants to help couples heal. Military couples have incredible challenges to their relationships - long periods apart, multiple moves, role reversals, and financial stressors – just to name a few. It’s so tough.
VA’s patient-centered care philosophy takes into account the whole person - body, soul and spirit – when creating a treatment plan. Mental Health professionals have always recognized the importance of a couple’s relationship in overall health. Now at the DCVAMC, the spiritual team in Chaplain Service has come up with a couples retreat to assist.
It’s called “Pairings.” “Pairs” stands for Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills. I know that’s a mouthful. But, simply put, the retreat will help couples with communication, enhance trust and commitment, and strengthen the connection.
There are four “Pairings” retreats scheduled. They’ll be held over four weekends at the Westin Hotel in Georgetown. All expenses are paid for Active Duty Military and Veterans (except for travel). The retreats begin on Fridays at 3 p.m. and are concluded on Sundays at 1 p.m. They are limited to 18 couples per retreat. Here are the dates: July 20-22, August 17-19, September 14-16, and September 28-29. If you feel you and your partner would benefit from a weekend away to concentrate on your marriage, please contact Chaplain Clarence Cross, Jr., Chief of Chaplain Service for the Washington DC VA Medical Center at 202-745-8143 or 202-745-8140.