A little bit of work, a whole lot of love
Matt Rowe, relationship counselor and executive director of The Love Factor, is seen here Thursday morning discussing new upgrades to the offices, including these sound-dampeners on the walls to maintain a tranquil environment. Love Factor is hosting a Halloween open house on Saturday.
DEVIN WEEKS/Press
David and Marla Schaaf, counselors at The Love Factor in Coeur d'Alene, share their experiences for a testimonial video about the work that goes on at the nonprofit counseling center. Love Factor is having a Halloween open house today to celebrate the holiday and invite the community to see new upgrades to the building at 1121 E. Mullan Ave.
For about a year, Lauryl and Cody Broyles were clients of The Love Factor, a counseling center in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
"People think of counseling as being, 'Oh my gosh, I don't want to talk about my problems,'" Lauryl said Thursday. "I don't think it should be for when you necessarily have problems. It should be to help you with everyday issues."
Through Love Factor, the Broyleses, who have been married 15 years, were able to hone in on relationship necessities — communication, love languages, supporting and empowering one another.
"You might not see eye to eye with your child or spouse, but there's no sense in putting them down," Lauryl said.
The tools the Broyles family obtained while using Love Factor's services also helped get through the trying times 2020 has thrust upon many families.
"With the pandemic being so crazy and homeschooling, you need to slow up and have some independence,” she said. "Letting your kids live with their decisions, and giving them options.
"You get stuck in the normal mundane stuff," she continued. "It’s nice to say, 'You know what, thank you for cooking dinner.' It's the simple things that go a long way and really help with the relationship."
And that's the key word at Love Factor: Relationship.
"Our biggest thing is that. We counsel out of relationship," said Matt Rowe, Love Factor counselor and executive director. "None of us are licensed because we’re Christian, faith-based. It's like a ministry, but we counsel out of practicality."
As a nonprofit, Love Factor provides resources and assistance for those who come to its doors, even if they can't afford the $79 session fee. And with recommendations from local pastors, clients can receive 50% off counseling services, Rowe said.
Love Factor is excited to announce an almost $30,000 office upgrade in its 1121 E. Mullan Ave. building, as well as a Halloween open house from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
