Couples Intensives
Couples Intensives can equate to 6 months of standard couple therapy accomplished in just a couple days. They are a great choice for couples urgently seeking clarification or connection. They also fit well when committing to standard sessions is a challenge due to busy schedules.
Couples Intensives involve a thorough assessment and 16 hours of face-to-face intervention. Please see below for core components.
Phase 1 Assessment (Remote / Telehealth)
Partners complete a series of research-based assessments and questionnaires prior to their in person Couples Intensive. Written measures include the Gottman Relationship Check-Up along with individual mental health screening instruments. The Gottman Relationship Check-Up is based on Dr. John Gottman’s 45+ years of breakthrough research on marital stability and divorce prediction. Prior to meeting, these assessments are reviewed to understand current and past problems, needs, and stuck points.
The assessment phase continues with face-to-face interviews of both partners individually and together, one to one-and-a-half hours each. The impact of attachment experiences on the relationship can be discerned as well as the relationship arc itself. Following this, the Couples Intensive in-person meetings begin with a compassionate understanding of needs and goals.
Phase 2 Feedback (In Person)
At the start of the Couples Intensive, feedback regarding the assessment measures and clinical interviews is shared. With the couple’s goals in mind, a targeted treatment plan is developed to guide the Comprehensive schedule.
Phase 3 Communication (In Person)
Communication skills are a strong component of the Couples Intensive and serve as a foundation for subsequent goals. No matter the relational concern, safe and productive dialogue is essential. Couples are offered new tools to communicate along with critical time to practice.
Phase 4 Conflict (In Person)
Happy couples aren’t free of conflict but can manage it well. Couples learn specific research-based skills to regulate triggers, communicate needs successfully, make repairs, and increase the odds of hearing from one another, “What you’re saying makes sense!”
Phase 5 Core Concerns (In Person)
With safe listening skills in hand, one or more relationship pain points can be addressed during the Couples Intensive. Example topics include a recent or past betrayal, a gridlocked problem, the experience of disconnection, or a misalignment of future goals.
Phase 6 Connection (In Person)
Research informs that maintaining a healthy relationship involves more than managing conflict and communicating well, although they are crucial. Therefore, couples will learn research-based, manageable steps for strengthening their emotional and physical intimacy, whether they are starting from an all-time low or just need a boost.
Phase 7 Care Plan (In Person)
A collaborative plan of action will be developed, allowing couples to maintain and continue positive growth beyond their Couples Intensive. Aftercare recommendations will include at-home practice exercises and may include follow-up couples therapy.
NOTE The Couples Intensive phases are not strictly linear. It’s common to weave in and out of them. For instance, a couple may work on safe communication skills during the assessment phase or may address a core concern while building conflict management skills. Every couple moves at their own pace. Some couples may need more time than do others to build foundational skills prior to addressing core concerns. While results cannot be guaranteed, when equipped with an open heart and mind, couples can and do make significant progress relative to where they started. In fact, research has compared the efficacy of a Couples Intensive to approximately 6 months of weekly couples therapy sessions.