Paul Friedman's Story

No one Ever Thinks they will be a Statistic

Like everyone else, Paul Friedman never imagined he would become a divorce statistic.

Even when their marriage became very trying, he and his wife struggled to stay together for their children. For over ten years, they met with psychologists, family counselors, marriage counselors, ministers and anyone else who might be able to help them stay together. Finally, their 20 year marriage ended in a devastating divorce.

A "professional" counselor recommended they divorce, thinking it would end the pain. They expected a smooth process. Instead they were subjected to a horribly dysfunctional divorce system that pits family members against each other, destroys the civility between parents, and crushes children's lives.

Only later did Paul realize the primary cause of his suffering came from giving up on his marriage.

Failure is Foreign to Paul

A tireless achiever, Paul has built several successful businesses and counseled thousands of people, including Hollywood names, business leaders and governors. Newspapers and magazines have published numerous stories about his community service, and he has appeared on many radio and TV interviews.

Failing at marriage was simply unacceptable to Paul. Having gone through the traumas of the divorce court system and experiencing the effects of divorce on his children, Paul vowed to help others avoid the broken life he was left with. Paul vowed to help save children from growing up in broken families.

Lessons For A Happy Marriage Conceived

Too late to save his own family, he became a divorce mediator to help couples part amicably. His clients remained friends and continued nurturing their children, instead of being pitted against each other by divorce lawyers driving to "win a case".

Paul found that most couples don't actually want a divorce. They simply don't know how to fix their marriage. Working with his clients, he gradually distilled their common negative patterns of behavior down to the "3 killers of a marriage," and uncovered the basic principles required for making a marriage work.

He refined the principles until he could convey them simply to anyone who came to see him. Even the toughest cases were holding hands at the end of a single two-hour session. Paul "fixed" most marriages in 2-3 sessions. Though he had a high success rate (greater than 95%), even he couldn't help marriages that involved alcoholism or physical abuse.

After losing one of his sons in a tragic accident, Paul took two years off to create his at-home workbook. Anyone can study Lessons For A Happy Marriage and transform their marriage. He recently reopened his San Diego Divorce Mediation Office.

Paul is adamant, "Even if only one partner learns these lessons, they will still work. It will just take a little longer."

Ending the Marriage Crisis in our Country

Since 2001, Paul has been tackling the national marriage crisis from every angle. Beginning with a successful mediation practice, and continuing by compiling his principles into an at-home workbook for saving marriage, Paul's next projects are:

New books

With Lessons For A Happy Marriage completed, he is writing a second book to help newly engaged and newly wedded couples establish a healthy marriage from the beginning, and another for helping people attract their soul mates.

Public speaking

Paul speaks to select audiences about successful marriage and family principles. He has been warmly received as couples recognize the dire need for this critical education. Send your request if you would like to have Paul speak at your event or group meeting.

Marriage mediation training school

A "marriage mediation" training school is being developed for those who wish to teach Paul's happy marriage principles. Certified Marriage Mediators will guide couples in creating the marriage they seek or, if necessary, help them divorce amicably and avoid the polarizing divorce court system.

Educational curriculum for grade schools

Paul is also working with educators to develop a "how to live" curriculum for children. Paul says that many of our current societal problems can be resolved in the long term by infusing our school system with effective social and life skills. Read more about Paul's Mission.

Though Paul never imagined he would become a divorce statistic, this sparked his dynamic cause to end the marriage crisis in our country. He writes, "Even if our success rate is only 20%, and the rest go on to a divorce, we will have accomplished much. And for those who must divorce, we will help remove the obstacles of anger and disappointment that prevent future friendship and harmony."