Help a Couple Find the Hope They Need
Your guidance can be the turning point. Refer a couple to Hope Restored and connect them to Christ-centered, clinically informed marriage intensives designed for breakthrough.
How to Know When to Refer a Couple
When a couple’s struggles go beyond what your church can support on its own, Hope Restored is here to partner with you. Learn the key signs that indicate when a referral may be the most loving and wise next step.
Refer a Couple
Submit a referral through our secure online form. Our Hope Restored intake team will follow up with the couple directly and guide them through next steps with care and discretion.
Pastor Toolkit Downloads
Access ready-to-use PDFs for Sunday announcements, small group materials, referral guides, slides, and promotional resources to help communicate Hope Restored clearly in your ministry context.
How to Know When to Refer a Couple
As a pastor, you’re often the first person a couple turns to when their marriage is in crisis. But some situations require specialized, therapeutic care beyond what can be addressed in pastoral counseling or church programs alone. You may consider referring a couple when:
- They repeat cycles of conflict or emotional shutdown
- Trust has been broken (affairs, secrecy, or betrayal)
- Communication is consistently unsafe or unproductive
- One or both spouses feel hopeless or checked out
- Divorce has been mentioned or initiated
- Weekly counseling hasn’t led to meaningful progress
Referring a couple to Hope Restored isn’t stepping away from ministry it’s partnering with highly trained licensed therapists who can help them stabilize, heal, and return stronger to your care.
Pastor Toolkit Resources
To support you in shepherding couples through crisis, our Pastor Toolkit provides everything you need to share Hope Restored in your church. Whether you’re preparing a Sunday announcement, leading a marriage class, or speaking with a couple privately, these resources are designed to make communication easy, clear, and on-brand.
Included Tools:
- Printable bulletin insert
- Sunday service slide (PowerPoint/ProPresenter)
- Announcement scripts for video or stage
- Email templates
- Social media graphics
- Official logo files & brand guidelines
- Referral process overview PDF
Frequently Asked Questions for Pastors
What happens after I submit a referral?
After you submit a referral, the Hope Restored intake team will reach out to the couple directly in a timely and confidential manner. Our team will answer their questions, explain the Hope Restored program, and help them understand next steps. Pastors remain an important part of the couple’s support system, and referrals are handled with care, discretion, and respect for the couple’s situation.
Will I remain involved in the couple’s care?
Yes. Pastors are viewed as important partners in a couple’s ongoing support and care. While Hope Restored provides specialized counseling through the intensive experience, couples are encouraged to remain connected to their church and pastoral leadership throughout the process. With the couple’s permission, coordination and follow-up can help ensure continuity of care once the intensive is complete.
Is this program biblically based?
Yes. Hope Restored is firmly grounded in biblical truth and reflects Focus on the Family’s commitment to God’s design for marriage. Our counseling approach integrates Scripture with clinically informed practices, helping couples understand their relationship through both a biblical lens and evidence-based therapeutic care. Every intensive is guided by licensed therapists who honor the authority of Scripture while addressing the emotional, relational, and spiritual dimensions of marriage.
What if the couple can’t afford an intensive?
Hope Restored offers scholarship opportunities to qualifying couples, including those facing financial hardship or serving in ministry. If cost is a concern, couples are encouraged to speak with our intake team, who can walk them through available options and determine whether financial assistance may be available. Our goal is to help remove financial barriers whenever possible so couples can access the care they need.
How do I communicate this option to my congregation?
We’ve created a Pastor’s Toolkit to make this as simple and effective as possible. The toolkit includes ready-to-use resources such as sermon slides, bulletin inserts, announcement scripts, email templates, and promotional materials that can be shared during weekend services, small groups, or pastoral conversations. These tools are designed to help you communicate Hope Restored clearly, compassionately, and confidently, whether you’re addressing your entire congregation or walking alongside a couple in crisis.
Questions About Referring a Couple? We’re Here to Help.
If you’re unsure which center best fits your needs or want to ask about upcoming dates, our team is here to help. Call or schedule a consultation to discuss your next step toward healing.
