Virtual Gottman Marathon/Couples Intensives

Sometimes there is just not enough time for couples therapy

Between work, family, taking care of yourself, taking care of your family, extra-curricular activities, and all the other things life throws your way, there is just not any time left to work on your relationship.

You know there are things you want to improve, you just do not have any extra time to go to couples therapy each week.

Sometimes there is just that one thing that you disagree on or cant talk about

Everything else is going very well. You communicate pretty well, you laugh, you get through most disagreements easily, you enjoy time together…it just works. However, when that issue comes up and all you do is butt heads.

What is a couples intensive?

Intensives are different from the traditional weekly or bi-weekly couples therapy sessions.

How? I am glad you asked.

When working with couples who can only do time frames of 60-90 minutes every week or every other week, I notice that the big stuff starts to happen right near the end of the session. We then have to restart or pick back up a week or even two weeks later, and often other things have happened that needs attention. So the gains that are made can take quite a bit of time, sometimes creating frustration for my clients.

Now do not get me wrong, I love couples therapy and have seen some fantastic progress and significant changes in the couples who choose that structure. However, it is not for everyone.

Some people do not have the time to commit to therapy each week and some people are looking for bigger changes right away.

This is where an intensive comes in. Couple’s intensives are an accelerated version of couples therapy, allowing you to focus in on your relationship over a course of one to three days.

Are we a good fit for a couples intensive?

If you are seriously wanting to improve your relationship and are excited about it, then an intensive is worth checking out. Intensives are perfect for some couples, while others would not benefit from it and need something else. I do not want you to spend your time or money on something that we know wouldn’t help, so if you are curious where you fall, keep reading.

If any of the scenarios apply to you, then you are in the right place.

  • We do not have much time to commit to therapy each week

  • There is one big thing we keep struggling with

  • We want to work on this, but do not know where to start

  • We just need a “jump start” to our relationship

  • We just cannot seem to communicate right.

  • We do life well together, but it feels like we are roommates instead of partners.

Intensives can help a lot of couples. However, they are not right for every couple. Couples who are experiencing the following are NOT a good fit for an intensive:

  • One partner wants to work on the relationship and the other does not

  • You or your partner are struggling with an addiction.

  • One partner is involved in an active affair that they are unwilling to disclose

  • Domestic violence or abuse of any kind

  • You or your partner experience thoughts of harm toward yourself or others

  • Serious, untreated mental illness

Couple’s intensives are hard work for everyone. When going through a change this big, you will probably experience every emotion imaginable. You may even cry, yell, or need to take a break. But I will be with you through it and will help you learn how to move through it as a team.

What can we expect from a couples intensive?

When working with couples, I use a combination of Gottman Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy to help couples meet their goals. I have found that these two methods flow really well together and provide a great benefit for my clients. I have received training in both methods and continue to focus any continuing education in these areas, as well as trauma which is my specialty.

Personally, I do not want anyone to waste time or money on something that is not helpful. So, when working with me, you will find someone who is nurturing but challenging as well. Before our first session, I will learn a few things about you, so I know how much to challenge and push you without it being too much. I will point things out when they are needed, while maintaining a kind and empathetic voice. I know you are here for a purpose, and I want to do everything I can to help you reach your goal. I believe in you as a couple and want to see you thrive.

From the Therapist

Before the Intensive

In order to maximize our time together, you will be receiving:

  1. An assessment that was designed by Dr. Gottman in order to uncover anything that needs to be addressed. Many couples find this assessment insightful and informative, even without engaging in couples work. This assessment significantly saves us time and points right to where we need to start.

  2. An intake from me that includes open ended questions so that I know what you are expecting from the intensive and what you are noticing in your relationship. This helps us have the focus we need for the intensive.

During the Intensive

As you can tell from the name, intensives are designed to be fast paced. So here is how it goes.

  1. Assessment

The first part of your intensive will be a 3.5-hour long assessment. I know…this sounds like a lot. Think of it this way, you have years of your relationship and history to catch me up on. So, during the assessment we will talk about your relationship history, your struggles and triumphs, and what brought you in. I will then meet with each of you individually to learn about your family history to really get the full picture.

2. Treatment Plan and Goal ID

After this assessment, we will come back together and I will share my findings with you. This includes any strengths I have observed, opportunities for growth, and suggested goals for our time together. We will work together to develop your main goal for the intensive.

3. The Work

We will then hit the ground running in our session, which will include learning tools and exercises that are specific to your struggles and needs.

Intensives are designed to be a jump start for your relationship. Depending on the goal that was set, you should see an improvement in your friendship, intimacy, connection, support, or passion.

You will also be encouraged to come back for a follow up, to check in on how things are going. This tune up can really help ensure that you are continuing forward in your relationship, so all the hard work you put in carries on.

After the Intensive Finishes

Couples Intensive Packages

Currently at the same cost of regular couples therapy, just all at once.

  • This option is perfect for couples who may want traditional therapy but want to get a jump start on their progress, as well as couples who may notice there is a problem, but do not know what it is or just want to know how their relationship is doing.

    Length: 4.5 hours

    The half day assessment includes:

    • The Relationship Checkup Questionnaire. This research-based tool helps identify your unique strengths and challenges. It looks at your level of friendship, feelings of safety, how you do in conflict, how connected you are, and specific areas that can create struggles for couples. This is completed before your session.

    • A discussion of your relationship history, perceived strengths and weaknesses

    • Individual interviews to identify and understand how your family and relationship is interacting with the relationship. We also look at your hopes and expectations.

    • A treatment plan based on the assessment results and observations.

    • A feedback session that includes suggestions and recommendations for what you can do next to help your relationship.

    Investment: $650

  • Intended for couples with mild relationships issues, those who are just married, or those who have one topic they need to discuss.

    Includes:

    • Half day assessment package, plus three hours of therapy

    • Take home materials and exercises

    Length- 7.5 hours over two days

    Investment- $1,090

  • Intended for those who are getting married or have just tied the knot. Includes 5 hours or assessment and skills learning tailored for your relationship. Includes either:

    • Gottman Based Methods

      • The Relationship Checkup Online Questionnaire- to identify any protentional barriers to a happy marriage as well as strengths within your relationship

      • Skill building based on The Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work.

      • Does NOT include the price of the optional couple's set (2 couples guides, the book, fun card decks) -$49

    • COMING SOON* Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts- a marriage program that integrates faith into the mix.

      • SYMBIS Assessment- discover what you need to know about your strengths, love life, fight type and more.

      • Discissions and exercises designed specifically for your relationship based on the SYMBIS book.

      • Does NOT include the price of the bundle (book, men's workbook, women's workbook)- $40.

    Investment into your future: $700

** To hold your requested dates for any intensive, a deposit of 50% is required at the point of reservation and the remaining amount is due at the time of the appointment.

Add the Gottman Relationship Builder to any package for an additional, one-time fee of $150. This collection of videos and exercises is designed to help you improve your relationship even further.

Includes:

  • 14 modules with 41 exercises designed to improve your relationship in areas that include managing conflict, building friendship, listening skills, sex and intimacy and more.

  • 94 short videos featuring the creators of the Gottman method teaching you how to best use the skills you have learned, as well as new skills to enhance your relationship.

  • Videos and exercises tailored for your relationship goal.

You will be learning a lot of new skills in your intensive, having this as a resource can decrease relapse and you will have access to it long after the intensive ends.

All intensives happen virtually for couples located anywhere in North Carolina. So, stay at home or go on a get-a-way to the NC mountains (my favorite) or beaches and start working on your relationship today.