Preparing for a Couples Therapy Intensive — What You Need to Know
Thank you for considering a couples therapy intensive. The information below outlines what you can expect from our work together, including the therapeutic process and important considerations.
I encourage both partners to read this page carefully. Please let me know if you have any questions about what’s included. Your questions are welcome and expected. Understanding the intensive process helps us build a strong foundation for our work together.
Why do a Couples Therapy Intensive?
Couples therapy intensives are for couples who want to work on their relationship in a focused way.
Couples who join me for an intensive tend to fall into one or more of these categories:
Have complicated schedules that make it difficult to schedule weekly therapy
Are in the midst of a crisis—for example, they are experiencing high conflict, the aftermath of infidelity, or have recently suffered a significant loss or trauma
Have a big decision that needs to be made, and don’t have months to figure it out
Have neglected their relationship for many years and realise they need to jump-start it in a big way
Are considering a separation or divorce and would like to give enough time to think it through
How Intensives Work
Couples therapy intensives are a focused, condensed form of couples therapy that takes place over two to three consecutive days.
Couples intensives allow couples to dive deeply into their issues without the frustration of the ‘start and stop’ feeling of weekly sessions. My work integrates Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), psychodynamic therapy, and attachment-based approaches.
A 2-day intensives provide 12 hours of therapy over two consecutive days. We will meet for six hours each day, with built-in breaks for lunch, reflection, and individual activities.
Where Are Intensives Held?
I offer intensives in person and online. My in-person intensives are held at my practice room in Bristol or at select UK locations. Online intensives are held via Zoom.
When Do Intensives Take Place?
Intensives are held over two or three consecutive days.
In-person intensives: Saturday and Sunday
Online intensives: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Preparation for the Intensive Session
Consultation: Once you’ve decided together that you’re interested, each partner should book a consultation here. We will talk for about 20 minutes to discuss your reasons for wanting to attend couples therapy, and then, if it feels like a good fit, we can schedule the intensive sessions.
Discuss with Your Partner: Prior to scheduling an intensive, discuss your desire to participate in intensive couples therapy with your partner. Talk about the pros and cons of doing an intensive together and your goals.
Payment: A non-refundable deposit of £380 is required at the time of booking to secure your dates. 50% of the balance is due 14 days before the intensive begins, and the remaining balance is due 7 days before the intensive begins. Deposits may be transferred once to a new date with at least 14 days’ notice prior to the scheduled intensive date. Cancellations within 7 days of the intensive are non-refundable.
Questionnaire: Prior to your intensive session, you will each complete a thorough written questionnaire. This is designed to provide me with insight into your relationship and also into each person individually. The questionnaire is an invaluable tool for both you and me, as your therapist, to gain essential insight into your situation and areas of greatest need, allowing me to tailor the intensive therapy to your specific needs and goals.
Preparation: Some couples choose to book a hotel to create a focused space. If you have childcare or caregiving responsibilities, these must be arranged for both full days and ideally the evening between sessions.
Directions: For in-person intensives, you’ll receive the location of my practice room, along with any other instructions for our session together. For online intensives, you will receive a Zoom link and joining info in advance.
The Intensive Process
Assessment: During the first day of the intensive, I will spend time with you as a couple and individually to better understand what you’re experiencing, who you are, and your individual perspectives. This will help me guide you on our second day toward appropriate interventions that can help you break the cycle you’re in.
Therapeutic Work: Once you’ve completed the assessment process, the rest of your weekend will involve therapeutic work, tailored to your needs. Intensive sessions are highly interactive. I will guide you through important conversations and support your therapeutic exploration. I will also offer interventions related to your specific issues.
After the Intensive: At the end of the intensive, we will discuss my recommendations for next steps. You might find that the intensive was sufficient to meet your goals, and you do not need or desire further couples therapy. You might also decide another intensive day is needed. Or you may want to continue weekly couples therapy. The plan will be tailored to your needs.
Risks and Benefits of Intensive Couples Therapy
Benefits
Couples who do intensive sessions have more time to process their challenges and practice new ways of relating without the frequent stops and starts of traditional weekly couples therapy.
Because it is designed to be ‘intense’, you have the opportunity to explore issues more quickly than you might otherwise. It is designed to expedite progress through focused work.
Couples have more time to go through a thorough assessment of their relationship. There is also more opportunity to practice emotional regulation, to understand and explore what lies beneath your struggles, and to build a strong relationship with your therapist.
Many clients leave intensives feeling more equipped, better understood, and hopeful for their future. They also often leave feeling much clearer about their next steps and more decisive.
Risks
No form of therapy comes with a guarantee for improvement. There are some possible risks:
Intensive therapy is not a ‘magic fix’. Depending on the type of issue, its severity, and how long it has been ongoing, a couple may or may not need continued therapy following the appointment.
Based on the assessment and the state of the relationship, you might hear a recommendation that is upsetting, disappointing, or frustrating.
You might learn things about your relationship that you did not know, which could be surprising.
It is designed to be an intensive form of therapy. Feelings may get intense or overwhelming.
Questions
If you have any questions about what I’ve shared here, please ask. If you are ready to book your intensive, please contact me.
