Dr Israel & Cathie Helfand
Now Retired - The Marriage Quest Founders
Marriage Quest® was founded by Dr Israel and Cathie Helfand in 2003 to fulfill the need of couples wanting fast results for their marriage struggles. The origins of the Marriage Quest process dates back to the early 80’s with Dr Barry Ginsberg and The Center of Relationship Enhancement. Israel developed the process with Barry over several years. Israel and Cathie began leading their form of couples marathon intensive weekends in the early 90s, well before other retreat leaders and trainers, like John and Julie Gottman.
Israel Helfand, PhD
Israel is a courageous visionary. He was a therapist, teacher, and guide for thousands of clients from all over the world. Through his background in Strategic Systems therapy and Psychodrama he brought an edge to his work along with a loving and supportive side. For over 40 years Israel has shared his insights and blunt honesty in giving direction to his clients.
Israel was a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) since 1984. He was a Certified Sex Therapist with the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), certified as a Hypnotist, and a Senior Member of the Academy of Family Mediators with a specialty in Divorce Mediation.
Israel had thousands of hours in Psychodrama training, and years of experience running Mens’ Groups including groups for Vietnam Vets. In the early ‘90s Israel was certified as a Wilderness First Responder and a Licensed New York State Wilderness Guide. He ran “inward bound” and Vision Quest type backpacking retreats, known as Soul Awakening, Corporate Quest, and Ecopsychology.
Over the years he has led many workshops, taught college, written numerous articles, spoken on radio and television, and supervised many therapists. Nature has always been his sanctuary, his safe place. As a child he often retreated to the woods and stream. Today, he enjoys his little piece of heaven in Vermont while working on his upcoming memoir: Confessions of a Sex Therapist.
Cathie Helfand, MS
Cathie was a loving cheerleader and guide to thousands of couples and individuals. Since 1977, she worked in a variety of settings including her marriage counseling work with Israel, as a youth and family counselor at Danbury Youth Services, as an Employee Assistance Program counselor for Pitney Bowes and other small businesses, and with the Fairfield County (Connecticut) Council of the Boy Scouts of America as the Exploring Director.
As an adjunct professor she taught courses including Family Therapy, Ecopsychology, and Addictions and the Family. Over the years Cathie worked for three different dating services and even started one called “To Life.” Cathie’s focus was always on helping people make decisions in their lives, find happiness in their relationships, and move forward in a more positive direction.
Cathie has a Masters in Counseling and Human Resources with a focus in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut) and a Bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies from Ohio Wesleyan University. Her proudest accomplishments besides her amazing children and grandchildren is the completion of her book called The YUMMY Marriage.
Cathie And Israel’s Book
The YUMMY Marriage, is available on Amazon in the paperback and Kindle editions, as an iBook on Apple, and as a spiral bound book at Lulu.com. Stay tuned: Israel’s new book will be available soon.
Consider A Marriage Counseling Retreat
If you are ready to fix your troubled marriage or relationship, we can help. A private Marriage Counseling Retreat can help you and your partner enhance your marriage by addressing the underlying issues through a compassionate, direct, and effective process.