A comprehensive assessment followed by concentrated help; experience the results of over 6 months of traditional therapy in one weekend.
Science-based effectiveness
Seasoned couples specialists
Private sessions only
Free, no-obligation phone call
Why an intensive is your best bet
Research has demonstrated that a science-based approach is 70-90% effective in helping couples. Our intensive retreats are held over a weekend in-person or online and help you to jumpstart your healing.
This private weekend retreat works with one couple at a time to heighten intimacy, improve emotional connection, and resolve conflicts. Included in this weekend is a thorough analysis of your relationship.
This saves you time and money.
Our couples therapists will help you to:
- Feel heard, seen, and understood in your relationship.
- Recognize the underlying betrayals and patterns that cause you so much pain.
- Provide you with concrete tools that you can take home to keep the momentum going.
After your weekend, return for a mini retreat, follow-up online or continue with your local therapist. We'll consult and assist in that transition.
Why our approach works
Couples Therapy Inc. is a team of two dozen clinicians all devoted to couples therapy. What does that mean for you?
Methods backed by science
You can't wing-it when it comes to helping troubled marriages. You must know the science. And you have to practice it routinely, every week; week after week. All of our clinicians have one or more advanced training certificates in science-based couples therapy.
Top tier professionals
The team shares a common drive to improve, regardless of how much previous training or expertise they may already possess. You can be assured that the clinician that you and your partner selects will have the training and expertise to support your relationship.
analysis of the BIG BIG book
Assessment tools guide the kind of work we choose to do with you, moment by moment. You and your partner will fill out a thorough self-assessment prior to your intensive sharing important information that will inform the weekend. Treatment is more effective because we hit the ground running.
Concentrated help
Seeing you over longer blocks of concentrated time allows us to know the two of you in a deeper way. We get to observe repeating patterns of relating. We record interactions, especially during fights, to understand these patterns more precisely.
Lasting change
Our finely tuned observations are integrated into the treatment plan. We help you to notice how these common interactional patterns impact your nervous system and your partner's nervous system. We help you to change these destructive patterns, and all without assigning needless shame or blame.
100% free consult
While highly effective, intensive couples therapy is not for everyone. We want to ensure that our services are a good fit for your relationship. Our client services manager will answer any questions and make sure that an intensive is the right next step. We will also help you to find the right therapist and set up a 15 minute meet and greet so that you can be confident that this is the right move for the two of you.
The BIG BIG Book and why it matters so much...
Every question in The BIG BIG Book provides your couples therapist with essential information they'll need in order to help both of you.
You'll be asked to examine various problematic aspects of your relationship. You'll also learn what's still going well between you.
The BIG BIG Book helps you move into the present and carefully examine your relationship in a new way. You start to put things into perspective. The frame of the problem becomes clearer.
The BIG BIG Book isn’t a fun “compatibility test” you take in 5 minutes.
It’s a thorough couples therapy assessment tool that examines your relationship, from a scientific point of view. And not just from one point of view but by using a combination of top-tier measurement tools.
It is like a road map used at the start of a long trip. A clinical road map that tells us where you're going, and what the goals are.
Dr. Kathy McMahon (Dr. K)
Ours is a lens that studies loving connections. We examine how bonds get broken and mended. We see people not as a collection of individuals, but as a network of families and friends.
Couples Therapy Inc, Founder and President
Reserving your intensive weekend...
Schedule a call
This is the first step. You can schedule a no-obligation 20 minute call at your convenience right here. During this call you can ask our client services manager any questions that you might have. She will help you find an available therapist that is a fit for you.
Meet your therapist
This is an opportunity for you and your partner to speak with your therapist. This (free) call is about 15 minutes. You can explain your situation in a bit more detail and get your questions answered. After your meeting, our client services manager will help you to find a weekend that works for you.
Complete the BIG BIG Book
After identifying the right weekend, you will be sent an invoice. After the invoice is paid your weekend is reserved and you will be sent the links to the BIG BIG Book. Set aside some time over the following week to work on this. Plan to take breaks as you need them, to do a thorough job.
Attend your weekend
Your therapist has carefully studied your BIG BIG Book and is prepared for you and your partner. Use the travel information provided to make arrangements or if attending online prepare a comfortable spot in your home or local getaway to log into Zoom. The next two and half days are all about the two of you.
Our Clients
Dr. K continued to remind us how strong our marriage actually is
Dr. K was very direct, yet easy to talk to. She gave us great direction. She was very knowledgeable. She made us feel very comfortable and we could share anything with her. She really seemed to study our BIG BIG Book. She knew so much about us before we ever showed up. We never felt like strangers around her. We felt she was our cheerleader and really wanted the best for us. She continued to remind us how strong our marriage actually is.
From a couples therapy retreat with Dr. k
For the first time in many years I feel like we are headed in the right direction
I just wanted to say thank you again for a really good weekend. For the first time in many years, I feel like we are headed in a good direction. I feel more at peace and I believe my partner does too. We have had a few good days since we left and feel grateful for your guidance.
From a recent client to Dr. WOlfe
We left with strategies
Dr. Michael McNulty created a very safe environment for us to talk about really difficult and hurtful experiences. He was kind and gently kept us on track. It took away some of the negativity. We left with some strategies and we have a referral to another Gottman therapist in our area
Take the BIG BIG Book seriously. It helped the therapist know us before we met.
From a couples therapy retreat with Dr. Mike McNulty
The Weekend Schedule
*The times given above reflect a typical Friday-Sunday intensive schedule. We are often able to be flexible with start times and even days, some therapists offer mid-week intensives. Be sure to discuss scheduling needs during your call.
Take this important first step
Do it for yourself.
Do it for each other.
What Makes Us Different
Our clinical team loves doing 2 1/2-day marriage retreats. They find it rewarding to have couples enter treatment on the verge of divorce, or anxious to get their marriages back on track, and leave with a new sense of commitment, connection, and resolve.
A private intensive marriage retreat is great for couples who can't find a skilled couples therapist closer to home. They are also perfect for those who don’t want to commute for more traditional weekly sessions.
We can help you find the right therapist; with the expertise and location (including online) that you need.
All of our therapists have advanced degrees and training in The Gottman Method of Couples Therapy and Discernment Counseling. Others are certified or have advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy as well. Our team of more than two dozen therapists have a combined 500+ years of experience in couples therapy.
All of our therapy starts with the comprehensive online assessment we call: The BIG BIG Book. You won't find a more comprehensive couples assessment anywhere. This unique tool helps us to uncover your specific issues and goals. It will take you several hours to complete. Most of our couples credit this assessment as the start of their couples retreat experience. After the in person State of the Union Assessment you will have a clear picture of what the right approach to therapy is for you and your partner--this saves you time and money.
Our Intensive Fees
Intensive retreat prices for a weekend are between $3,500 and 6,500* depending upon the education, location, and experience of your therapist. Additional days can also be arranged.
Payment is due at the time of booking and paid for by PayPal or credit card. PayPal offers a 6 month "same as cash" payment option for qualified clients.
We regret not being able to hold dates without payment.
*Dr. K, our president, offers a limited amount of intensives each year for $8,500.
Why do we offer no-obligation phone calls?
While highly effective, intensive couples therapy is not for everyone.
Sometimes a couple that is looking to schedule an intensive needs to be referred to other support. If there is domestic violence in your relationship, drug abuse, or untreated mental illness we do not recommend scheduling an intensive until those concerns are addressed.
This call is intended to ensure that our services are a good fit for your relationship. Use this call to answer any questions you have and to make sure that an intensive is the right next step for you.
Our website offers in-depth profiles on all of our clinicians but there may be something in particular you are looking for. We are happy to make recommendations. You will also schedule a free 15 minute call with the therapist; it's a great opportunity to get a "feel" for their approach and style.
We know that you are not taking this decision lightly and we want to make sure that you have every opportunity to ask your questions and weigh your options.
Our Clients
It has been a blessing...and fun too!
Thank you so much for all that you offered us, Marisa. This has been such a great experience!!! I have implemented your ideas and it has been a blessing to us and fun too. I realized how much I had a guard up and how it was effecting both of us.
Thanks again, you are an angel!
from a Couples Retreat with Marisa Mundey
Jenny Fang saved our marriage
Our relationship was distant, with no connection. We wanted to reconnect and move on from anger.
Jenny was amazing at seeing what we were trying to say and where our pain came from. We really enjoyed going each day, we looked forward to her input.
Jenny Fang saved our marriage, I did not see any option except divorce and now I see our future again.
from a couples retreat with Jenny fang
Please do it!
We have [tried therapy before] and it was not successful
Dr. Gorman was incredible, gentle, intelligent and was able to help us right away and picked up on our problems almost immediately.
We now have improved communication, better listening and the ability to talk again....
What would you say to couples that are considering working with Couples Therapy Inc.?
Please do it!
from a couples retreat with Dr. Gorman
Frequently asked questions
We usually suggest 3-6 weeks lead time to allow you time to complete your BIG BIG Book and your therapist time to review it. Contact us for "emergency" retreats.
We are here to help! When you schedule your consult we will talk to you about what you are looking for and who might be a good fit in your area.
We work with all couples that are looking to heal their intimate relationships. Whether you have been together for 1 year or 50, married or living apart; our intensives can help you reconnect.
No. This is a non-religious, secular retreat which is science-based. We do, however, have a Christian minister, Dr. Doug Burford, on our team for those requesting a bible-informed retreat. If he works with you as a minister, he can practice throughout the USA. If this is something that you are interested in, please mention that during your consult.
Given the exceptionally prominent level of training on our team, our intensives are in high demand. It's a serious mutual commitment, for you and for us. We set aside this large block of time only for you, and you do the same for each other. You both commit to your relationship, as we commit to helping you.
For this reason, full payment is due at the time of scheduling.
Traditionally, if for any reason you decide to cancel, a 50% refund will be given up to 60 days prior to the scheduled start date. If you cancel less than 60 days prior to the scheduled start date, your fee is non-refundable. However, given the pandemic, cancellation policies now offer greater flexibility. Check with your couples therapist for more details.