What is Intensive Couples Therapy and is it right for us?
Investing focused, personalized time in intensive couple therapy can revitalize your marriage and deepen emotional connection. Rather than spending months in traditional therapy, you can achieve meaningful progress in just a few days. During this intensive, couples discover renewed hope, understanding, and the sense of togetherness they’ve been longing for.
This private and tailored counseling is ideal for couples eager to create change—whether you’re looking to grow closer or navigating significant distress in your relationship. Many couples who participate in an intensive may be contemplating separation or divorce. Regardless of your relationship’s current state, if you’re seeking greater intimacy, improved communication, and a deeper sense of care, a couple’s intensive can provide the support you need.
3-Day Intensive Schedule
Day 1: Morning session 2-2.5 hours (9-11:30) Lunch Break, Afternoon session 2 hours (1-3pm) Break or End for the day
***optional evening Session 1.5 hours Day 1 or Day 2 (4-5:30)
Day 2: Morning session 2-2.5 hours (9-11:30), Lunch Break, Afternoon session 2 hours (1-3pm) Break or End for the day
***optional evening Session 1.5 hours Day 1 or Day 2 (4-5:30)
Day 3: Morning session 2-2.5 hours (10-12:30), Lunch Break, Afternoon session 1.5 hours (2-3:30)
Dr. Erreca will be on-call as needed during the intensive.
Total 5,250-6,000
A couples intensive is equivalent to 6 months of weekly therapy
Intensive work is often a spring board for continued connection and growth. It is strongly recommended that you have a couples therapist set up for after care to aid in continued integration and success across time. Some couples prefer to return for “tune-up” intensives to continue their positive growth. Dr. Erreca will help make sure that the progress made during the intensive is supported for continued growth once you return home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a couples intensive?
A couples intensive is usually two or three days (usually over a weekend) depending on the needs of each couple and schedule.
Are there other couples there?
No. It is not a retreat or group setting. A couples intensive is like couples therapy without the limits of time and provides more flexibility to meet the needs of the couple in the moment.
What can I expect?
You can expect a focused, accelerated approach to address relationship issues. Therapy will hone in on identifying negative patterns that limit connection. The couple will learn to identify their negative cycle together in order to foster a stronger, more connected bond through deeper emotional exploration and communication skills.
What is the cost of a couples intensive?
Depending on length of time the cost can very. (See above example of 3-day schedule and cost)
Do you only do couples intensives in San Diego?
Yes. Couples often travel for a “weekend getaway” to not only engage in healing their relationship, but to also enjoy the many activities and sights of San Diego. Having time outside of the intensive work is important for each couple to bond and have more meaningful connection.
