Training manual + videos
A Safe Place
A practical guide for leader couples who want to design and run marriage enrichment retreats, workshops and small groups.
Christian marriage enrichment
Marriage retreats, workshops and training for couples, churches and counsellors, led by Barry and Dr Paula Davis.
50+ years
married, and still learning
Since the 1980s
designing tools for couples
5 regions
Australia, East Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Europe
How we can help
Choose the path that fits you. Every event is marriage enrichment for relationships that are basically sound, not clinical therapy.
Weekend retreats, one-day tasters and date nights on communication, conflict, family background and sexuality with spirituality.
Explore retreats →
We come to your venue for up to ten couples, plus specialised workshops on trauma, grief and loss in marriage.
Host a retreat →
Train as a marriage enrichment leader couple with A Safe Place, or join professional development on couple relationships.
Training options →
Why connection matters
1
Every heart needs to be seen, known and loved. When we nurture deep, authentic connection, we thrive.
2
Unspoken hurts and unmet needs create distance. Learning to reconnect breaks the cycle of isolation.
3
Real change happens in safe, loving relationships, where healing, renewal and deeper love begin.
Our mission
“As broken people, we serve as signposts for other broken people.”
Barry brings a background in theology, pastoring and church planting. Paula is a clinical counsellor, supervisor and lecturer in counselling. Together they have walked alongside couples for decades.
Meet Barry & PaulaResources
Training manual + videos
A practical guide for leader couples who want to design and run marriage enrichment retreats, workshops and small groups.
Book · Dr Paula Davis
A spiritually reflective, psychologically informed book on trauma recovery, emotional healing and a relational walk with God.
Book · Dr Paula Davis
A personal, compassionate look at pain, memory and healing, and the stories our heartache is trying to tell.
Book · Dr Paula Davis
A trauma-informed, culturally responsive framework for recovery in collective societies, for counsellors and practitioners.
“This was the most deep and practical retreat we have ever attended. I love your modelling to us the conversations. Honest and professional at the same time. A gift from God.”
Retreat participants
What is Christian marriage enrichment?
Marriage enrichment is about intentional marriages. It gives couples time, tools and a safe setting to strengthen a relationship that is basically sound, so they can communicate better, handle conflict well and grow in intimacy. Our retreats and workshops draw on Christian faith and on Barry and Paula's decades of experience working with couples.
Is Connecting Matters marriage counselling?
No. Paula is a clinical counsellor and supervisor, but our retreats and workshops are marriage enrichment, not professional or clinical therapy. They are not aimed at solving serious marriage problems. If your marriage is in crisis, please speak with a qualified counsellor or your GP.
Who runs Connecting Matters?
Barry and Dr Paula Davis, who have been married for more than five decades. Paula is a clinical counsellor, supervisor and lecturer in counselling, and Barry brings a background in theology, pastoring and church planting. They have designed relational tools for couples since the late 1980s. Read more about Barry and Paula.
Can you run a marriage retreat at our church?
Yes. We run weekend retreats, one-day tasters, date nights and time-limited small groups at your venue, ideally for up to ten couples. We do not charge a fee for our services; the host covers the costs of running the event, including our travel, accommodation and materials. We have led retreats in Australia, East Africa, Sri Lanka, India and Europe. Contact us to discuss dates.
Do you train leader couples and counsellors?
Yes. Our A Safe Place resource manual, worksheets and eight-session training videos help couples design and lead marriage enrichment events. We also run professional development for counsellors on the complex issues that affect couple relationships.
We don’t charge a fee for our services. The host simply covers the costs of running the event, including our travel, accommodation and materials.