What is a couples intensive retreat and who should signup?

In order to best serve clients and help them on their journey to healing, I hold multi-day retreats for couples. The intensive modality has been likened to the effectiveness of 6 months of regular therapy - but accomplished in just a few days instead.

This type of retreat offers the opportunity to have focused and dedicated time for several hours or several consecutive days with a research-based couples therapist. It is essentially a private retreat, tailored just for the two of you. I am a regional specialist in working with couples, having trained extensively in two research-based models:

1. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

   • Based on the research of Dr. Sue Johnson, author of the book Hold Me Tight

2. The Gottman Method

   • Designed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, based on their research and clinical work spanning 40+ years with over 3,000 couples.
     1) Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), based on the research of Dr. Sue Johnson, author of the book Hold Me Tight.

Couples who have experienced this modality AND have been in typical counseling sessions consistently comment that being able to work through their issue(s) in a concentrated format allows them to experience previously unimaginable breakthroughs. They report that by not being rushed, the safety needed in order to share more freely and deeply is built into the structured length of the intensive retreat.

The Couples Intensive Retreat is a highly focused modality. What you can expect is to foster respect, affection, and closeness, beginning to rebuild trust when it has been damaged or lost. You will create a shift in partners’ interactional positions and initiate new cycles of interaction in order to build and share a deeper connection with each other’s inner worlds. Keep conflict discussions calm and experience breakthroughs on gridlocked perpetual differences. Expand and re-organize key emotional responses and foster the creation of a secure bond between partners. We will also develop a plan to strengthen and maintain gains in your relationship that you’ll be able to implement once the retreat is complete.

Great! How do we start?

We start by identifying the goals and intentions of the intensive retreat process. Prior to coming in, you will purchase and complete an online relationship assessment for each person to fill out. In this assessment you will be asked numerous questions exploring your individual perspectives on the current state of your relationship as well as what you hope to achieve during the intensive retreat. I will review this packet of information prior to meeting with you.

From the observational research of John Gottman, research-based therapists envision 3 primary goals in working with couples:

1) We want to facilitate clients in rekindling and sustaining romance and intimacy through the fundamentals of friendship

2) Learn to manage conflict well

3) Create a shared sense of meaning that will knit their lives together

Almost all of the issues couples typically want to work on can be viewed through the lens of these three broad goals but within this overarching framework we will tailor the intensive retreat to meet your particular needs as a couple.

I am available for intensive sessions any day of the week, including weekends (if that is the only time that works for you as a couple).

Availability

I am available for intensive sessions any day of the week, including weekends and would be glad to walk you through this experience.