“Our relationship is hanging on by a thread but we don’t want to give up!”
How Do Intensive Couples Therapy Sessions Work?
Main Line Counseling Partners is now offering private intensive couples therapy. This model is ideal for people who want to put aside all of life’s distractions to prioritize relationship wellness. Whether you live in the Philadelphia area or not, consider reserving a room at an inn or bed and breakfast.
The schedule can be tailored to your needs and availability. In general, day 1 consists of a complete relationship assessment, and feedback about the strengths and areas needing improvement. In day 2, you will work together to improve your connection by addressing your particular difficulties. The following issues are commonly improved by intensive sessions with the Gottman Method:
- Recovering from an affair
- Improving conflict resolution skills
- Increasing romance and intimacy
- Re-building trust
It’s a very common story; a couple works hard to agree to start couples counseling, researches to find the right therapist and then anxiously anticipate the date and time of the first session. They then arrive 10 minutes early, fill out paper work and finally find themselves sitting face to face with the counselor.
The next 50 minutes fly by incredibly quickly. Confidentiality is discussed, general logistical questions answered and then the discussion moves to the reason the couple has come in for therapy. Usually there will be time for each person to discuss their perception of the problem, but there is not enough time for the therapist to complete a comprehensive assessment or to be able to start giving advice or homework. Then they need to wait another week to pick up where they left off which can be frustrating and sometimes problems can worsen during this time period.
At Main Line Counseling Partners, we provide intensive couples therapy sessions (also called Marathon Sessions) as a way to avoid the frustration of starting and stopping that frequently accompanies traditional couples counseling. In one full day a couple can complete the entire assessment process (including conjoint and individual sessions), have a clear understanding of their relationship through the lens of the Gottman Method, and go home with concrete tools to practice before the next session. We tailor our marathons to the specific needs of each couple, ranging from one, two or sometimes three days in a row.
Ready to talk to someone about this? Call our intake coordinator, Jessica Kryzer at 610-642-3359 X1 and ask for a free 15 minute consult with Dr. Michael Silverstein.
Depending on the particular needs of your situation, subsequent marathon sessions can be scheduled, or you can transition to traditional weekly or bi-weekly counseling using the Gottman Method.
Isn’t a Full Day of Intensive Couples Therapy Draining and Exhausting?
It is true that any kind of therapy is hard work since it involves changing habits that have been developing for a long time. If you are concerned about fatigue, you might want to consider a one day marathon instead of multiple days. The first day is primarily giving your therapist information about yourself and your relationship. You will have a 45 minute break when your partner is meeting individually, and you will also have a lunch break scheduled into the day. That being said, some people prefer 60 -90 minute sessions based on energy levels or logistics. Feel free to contact us to discuss your specific needs or concerns.