Online Course FAQ

Here are some questions we’re frequently asked about Harboring Hope and EMS Online.

1. How are the small groups created?

The groups are usually created on a first-come first-served basis in accordance with the date of registration for the course and the participants’ preferred day and time choices. Emails confirming the start-date of your small group along with other pertinent information will be sent as soon as your group is ready to begin.

2. Who will be in my group?

Small groups consist of others who are also struggling through the aftermath of infidelity. If you are in Harboring Hope, you will be grouped with 5 or 6 other men or women who have been betrayed. If you are in 911 Marriage, your group will consist of four other couples who have also experienced infidelity. A facilitator will lead the calls and guide the conversation.

3. How do I access the conference call?

Affair Recovery will send you detailed instructions. You may use a cell phone, a land-line, or your computer (if you have a headset). The system we use is very simple and test-calls are offered if participants would like to try a call before the course starts.

4. What does the facilitator do?

The facilitator is trained to welcome participants to the course, provide structure to the calls, guide the process of sharing homework, facilitate supportive discussion, listen, encourage, and help participants access additional resources. Additionally,, he or she serves as a liaison between the participants and Affair Recovery.

5. What is each week like?

Each week, participants watch the weekly DVD lesson, read that corresponding chapter from the workbook, complete their homework exercises and then meet via telephone conference call with their small group and its facilitator.

6. How should I prepare?

The first week is Introduction Week, so no preparation is needed.

7. How much time should I spend on this per week?

Completing the course materials will take you approximately 2 – 3 hours each week. In addition, you will attend a 1 1/2 hour conference call with your small group each week.

8. What level of commitment is this process?

From a time perspective, you can expect 3 – 4 hours per week. If at all possible, it is best to keep extracurricular commitments to a minimum in order to get the very most out of the course. From an emotional perspective you can expect ups and downs – at times feeling like you’re taking 3 steps forward and then 2 steps back. In a relatively short period of time, however, many participants feel renewed hope, encouragement, and satisfaction that let them know their hard work is going to pay off.

9. Will this be group therapy?

No. Your weekly group is more like a small, anonymous support group. You will share homework, personal experiences, and encouragement. Your facilitator does not provide therapy, but does help guide the discussion and support you through the process.

10. How do I communicate with other group participants?

For the duration of the 13-week course, we ask that you communicate with other participants either during your weekly group call or on your private online forum created by Affair Recovery just for your group.

11. What if I have a question or questions that the group or facilitator cannot answer?

Each week you may submit any questions you have to one of our experts in infidelity. They will read and answer your question on a call that can be listened to live or downloaded at your convenience.

12. What happens after the 13-week course is complete?

You have the option of continuing on with your group in an aftercare group. This group is facilitated by a volunteer (or volunteers) from your own group using marriage enrichment materials provided by Affair Recovery.

13. Do I have to be a Christian to participate?

No. Our company founder and the author of our programs, Rick Reynolds, is Christian, and he credits his faith for helping him find a way past infidelity in his own marriage many years ago. When he created these programs, he wrote them from a Christian perspective. Major elements of the course are based on principles taught by Jesus, such as his model of forgiveness. However, even if you are not a Christian, we believe you can still benefit from the material.