What is a Marriage Intensive—

Intensive therapy are for couples that don’t have time to commit to the traditional therapeutic model of weekly/bi-weekly sessions and/or desire to accelerate the healing process. Intensives allow for intentional, set aside time to work through 3-6 months of traditional therapy in the span of a day (7 hours) or two (14 hours). Each intensive is structured and tailor to the specific needs of the couple.

Who are Intensives For?—

Intensives are for couples desiring to work through the issues within their marriage in a more expedited fashion as opposed to trying to figure out how to manage scheduling conflicts that may arise when the traditional weekly/bi-weekly model of counseling. Intensive are for couples who desire more immediate resolution to issues/crises than what can be provided with the traditional model of counseling.

Some of the issues to work through during an intensive are as follows:

  • Lack of effective communication

  • Unresolved Conflict

  • Lack of Intimacy and Connection

  • Issues of Mistrust/Betrayal

  • Shared Trauma and Grief

  • Addiction Recovery, both shared and otherwise, but not in active addiction

  • Consideration of Divorce

Other methods of intensives that can be provided upon request are:

  • Pre-marital Counseling

  • Christian Perspective on Marriage

Who are Intensives NOT For?—

Intensives can be a helpful method for couples to have the time and space to work through their issues; however, there are certain situations where this method could do more potential harm than good. Some of these situations include if one or both parties are in active addiction

Benefits—

  1. Expedited Progress— Couples make about 3-6 months of progress in 7-14 hours. This streamlined process gives a solid launch pad for couples to continue to move through issues and grow closer to one another.

  2. Dedicated Time to Connect—The setting for intensives allow for couples to provide undisturbed attention and focus on overcoming their relationship within one or two days as opposed to being laden with scheduling concerns that many face with the traditional model for counseling.

  3. Immediate Skills Building—Intensive therapy provides skills and strategies that can be practiced over the course of the intensive day(s) and counselor can provide immediate assistance and feedback for the couple.

Typical Format of an Intensive—

  1. Initial Meeting: 90 min. session prior to the intensive for counselor to get to know the couple and assess best practice for helping the couple.

  2. Written Assessments: Each spouse will complete a variety of assessments prior to intensive day that will help provide insight to counselor and unpacked during the intensive.

  3. Intensive Sessions: Depending on the need of the couple, intensives are a 7 hour block of time set aside on Friday and/or Saturday.

  4. Follow-up Meeting: A 45-60 min session set about 3-5 weeks post-intensive set aside to touch base with counselor regarding successes and growth areas.