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From a Newlywed
When I was just two years married, a friend of mine asked me to help with The Third Option group in Utica, NY," says Sharon.
"I believed I would be helping distressed couples. What I discovered was that it helped MY marriage more than I could have imagined.
We were actually developing some very bad habits and I'm not sure where we would be today if I hadn't volunteered to help The Third Option. I would recommend it to
all newlyweds! It gets you off to a good start."
From a Pastor
Dr. Richard Marks, Director of Counseling at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida, was overwhelmed by the number of couples needing help. Then he discovered The Third Option. He immediately ordered The Manual and began the program. After about a year he turned over
leadership to trained lay couples.
"Now, if a couple wants me to counsel them, I tell them 'only if you will also attend The Third Option'!" he says.
"We have found that the lessons and structure of The Third Option work well in our church setting. Mostly, the information and the leadership of couples who have "been there, done that", helps distressed couples learn
from others who have weathered rough seas in marriage and survived. I most strongly recommend this program to any couple that needs support and encouragement in working through marital distress," Dr. Marks reports.
Dr. Marks presented a workshop at the Smart Marriages Conference entitled "Developing a Church-based Continuum of Care" (for marriages) in which he talks about The Third Option as one of the important components in ministry. To order an
audio tape of his workshop click here.
From a Mediator
"A separated couple was referred to me by The Family Court Judge for mediation of a custody/ visitation parenting plan," says mediator Vern Davis, Illion, NY. "At the close of the mediation session, I told them about
The Third Option and gave them brochures. They came to two sessions, decided to reunite in the marital home and are now regular members of The Third Option meetings."
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