There are times in the course of therapy when the intensity of a marriage can be hard to manage. One or both parties may wish for a separation for a period to allow the processing of trauma to be done with less complication. Such a “time out” is seldom productive without an agreed-upon purpose. We want any separation time to be as productive and therapeutic as possible, bringing clarification and change that leads to wiser decisions moving forward. For that reason, we recommend a formal separation agreement to provide structure and clarity during the time apart, reducing the risk of further harm and increasing the likelihood of healing.