“Individuals are asked to take a hard look “inward”, and not come to therapy “to fix” his/her partner. There are no losers in my couples therapy, if there is, I have not done my job. I work had to establish a win-win, where each individual has a clear voice and all goals are mutually agreed upon.”
– Dr. Diann Sanford, Psy.D, LPC
Couples therapy intensives provide focused, extended sessions designed to help partners address challenges and make meaningful progress in a shorter period of time. These sessions allow couples to work more deeply on relationship concerns than traditional weekly therapy.
Is a Private Intensive right for us?
Crisis/Critical
If you and your partner are going through a particularly difficult time, you’re not alone. In situations involving things like infidelity, addiction, or other complex challenges, it may take more than one intensive session to begin rebuilding and moving forward. After an initial conversation and assessment, we’ll create a plan that fits your specific situation, which may also include a few individual sessions for additional support.
Moderate
If you and your partner are feeling stuck in one or two key areas, a single intensive session is often a strong starting point. Some couples may benefit from a follow-up session, but many begin to see meaningful progress during this focused time together.
Enrichment
If your relationship is in a good place, but you’re looking to feel more connected or aligned, an intensive can be a meaningful investment. Couples in this stage often use the experience to strengthen their bond and explore new ways of growing together.
Agenda for an Intensive
As part of the intensive experience, you and your partner will move through a structured process designed to support meaningful progress and lasting change. You can expect the following:
In Advance:
- Complete confidential assessments and intake paperwork
- Begin with a shared commitment to your relationship and the intensive process
Therapeutic sessions consisting of 4 Parts, based on the Gottman Method and thoughtfully tailored to your unique needs:
Foundational Skills
- Establish a strong foundation for individual and relationship health
- Build communication skills by working through real situations in real time
- Begin developing new, healthier ways of relating to one another
Heavy Lifting (this portion is more in-depth in private intensives than in semi-private retreats)
- Address areas where you feel stuck
- Work through patterns and begin the process of repair, forgiveness, and letting go
A one-hour lunch break is typically included.
Action
- Create a clear and mutually agreed-upon path forward
- Identify supports, obstacles, and resources needed
- Define specific behaviors and steps to continue progress
Intentional Restoration
- Strengthen commitment to one another and the relationship
- Build a shared vision with new behaviors and a deeper connection
- Make space for positive experiences, reflection, and growth
Before leaving, we will develop a plan together to help you maintain your progress, and you will be invited to complete a brief post-assessment.
If you are interested in scheduling a couples intensive, please contact Change-Well to discuss availability and determine whether an intensive is the right fit for your situation.
My Money Back Guarantee for Couples Intensives and Semi-Private Retreats
“I stand behind our work; therefore at the end of our intensive or retreat event, if you are not satisfied with the skills taught and acquired, I will either refund the total price of your services for that day, or only charge you what you consider the services performed that day are worth.”
– Dr. Diann Sanford, Psy.D, LPC
