Couples Intensives: An Approach to Strengthen Your Relationship
Couples intensives provide couples with the dedicated time and space needed to deeply explore the foundation of their relationship, address challenges, strengthen their connection, and work toward meaningful, lasting change—all within a concentrated timeframe.

What to Expect During Your Intensive
Dr. Santos bring years of experience and training in utilizing approaches like EFT and the Gottman Method to help couples achieve meaningful change offers two options for couples intensives. All couples must complete an initial consultation lasting 1 hour that can be completed virtual or in-person. After the completion the couple will speak with Dr. Santos to evaluate if the couples intensive is a good fit.
Dr. Santos offers the following couples intensive to accommodate couples:
- One-Day Couples Intensive
- Duration: 6 hours (with breaks included)
- Two-Day Couples Intensive
- Duration: 12 hours (6 hours per day, with breaks included)
The couples intensive focus on a comprehensive exploration of relationship challenges, identifying and addressing primary concerns, guided exercises for emotional reconnection, and creating actionable steps for continued growth. Review the common questions to better understand the couples intensive.
Common Questions About Couples Intensives
What the Couples Intensive Is and Isn’t:
What a couples intensive aims to be:
- It is a highly specialized and concentrated experience that allows you and your partner to deeply explore the challenges in your relationship.
- Offer dedicated time to delve into core issues.
- Give couples the opportunity to practice effective skills with support.
- A concentrated effort to create positive momentum in your relationship, laying a foundation for continued growth and connection.
The couples intensive is NOT:
- A quick fix.
- A one-time solution for your relationship.
- A guarantee that all issues will be resolved in one session.
- A substitute for ongoing couples counseling if deeper or long-term work is needed.
Is the initial consultation required?
Yes, all Intensives have an initial consultation preparation phase (1 Hour, Virtual or In-Person).
Dr. Santos will use the initial consultation to develop a strong understanding of what you are looking for. This time is used to go over the items below and ensure that you and your partner are a good fit for the couples intensive.
We want to ensure that the couples intensive is the right fit for you and your partner. Please understand that while the intensive can be a highly effective approach, it may not be suitable for all couples depending on individual circumstances and relationship dynamics.
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- Complete intake forms focusing on the relationship and goals.
- Discuss relationship history, key challenges, and goals for the intensive.
- Complete a relationship assessment.
- Establish expectations and answer logistical questions.
- Readiness for the couples intensive.
What are the fees?
All couples intensives are 6 hours in length, plus the initial 1-hour consultation. We offer two options to best accommodate your needs:
- 1-day Couples Intensive (6 hours)
- 2-day Couples Intensive (12 hours)
Fees:
- Initial Consultation (1 hour): $200 (This fee can be applied to the total cost of the couples intensive.)
Please contact our counseling office for details on the couple’s intensive fees.
Due to the significant time commitment required for Dr. Santos to reserve this dedicated block in his schedule, a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total cost is required to secure your spot. The remainder of the payment is due prior to the service. This ensures that the time is exclusively set aside for you and your partner’s transformative experience. The fee is $250 per hour times for the couples intensives.
Can I use insurance?
Unfortunately, the couple’s intensive service is not covered by insurance. Insurance providers require specific criteria for coverage such as sessions to include a documented mental health diagnosis and follow specific guidelines, such as a 50-minute session.
Since this service doesn’t align with those requirements, it isn’t eligible for insurance billing.
We’d be happy to help you explore other counseling services we offer that do qualify for insurance coverage. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!
What is the schedule for the couples intensive?
Initial Consultation (Pre-Session to be completed on a separate day from the couples intensive)
Scheduled before the intensive (1.0 hour)
- Purpose:
- Understand the couple’s goals and challenges.
- Review the results of the online questionnaire.
- Establish a roadmap for the intensive based on the couple’s unique needs.
Sample Curriculum for One-Day Couples Intensive
Please know that the below is a “sample”. There may be changes depending on the couple and the amount of days (one versus the two-day intensive).
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (6 hours, including breaks)
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Welcome and Foundation Setting
- Introduction to the intensive process and goals for the day.
- Establishing a safe and collaborative environment with clear ground rules.
- Overview of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method.
- Guided exercise: “Relationship Check-In” to identify strengths and areas of concern.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Understanding Relationship Dynamics
- Explore attachment styles and how they influence interactions.
- Receive the comprehensive pre-session questionnaire and assessments.
- Identify recurring negative cycles or patterns in communication.
- Guided exercise: “Breaking the Cycle” to map out conflict patterns.
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Enhancing Communication
- Introduction to effective communication techniques such as softened start-ups and reflective listening.
- Role-play exercise: Practicing active listening and expressing needs constructively.
- Therapist feedback and coaching to refine skills.
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Break
- A brief pause to rest and reflect.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Rebuilding Trust and Emotional Intimacy
- Explore factors that contribute to mistrust and barriers to connection.
- Guided exercise: “Building Emotional Bridges” to foster vulnerability and openness.
- Discussion on rebuilding trust after relational breaches.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Conflict Resolution Strategies
- Learn techniques to de-escalate conflicts and navigate disagreements constructively.
- Guided exercise: “The Stress-Reducing Conversation” to address challenging topics with empathy.
- Practice resolving a real-life conflict with therapist guidance.
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM: Shared Vision and Future Planning
- Develop a shared vision for the relationship’s future.
- Guided exercise: “Creating a Relationship Vision Board” to outline goals and values.
- Identify actionable steps for maintaining progress.
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM: Closing and Reflection
- Reflect on insights gained and progress made during the day.
- Discuss follow-up resources, including recommended readings and ongoing practices.
- Create a personalized action plan for continued growth.
Who "should" participate in the couples intensive?
Overtime I have learned that the couples intensive can be very beneficial to couples that enter the process with a strong commitment and willingness to engage and participate in the process. These are couples that are ready to listen, to practice exercises, and to dive deep into core areas of the relationship.
The couples intensive offers a unique and focused approach to relationship support that may not be suitable for everyone. It can be beneficial for:
- Couples seeking to address challenges quickly, allowing for a deeper and more immediate focus on their relationship.
- Couples unable to commit to weekly or ongoing sessions, providing an alternative that fits their schedule.
- Couples working to rebuild trust after a breach, such as infidelity or other forms of betrayal.
- Couples navigating major life transitions, such as marriage, career changes, or becoming new parents, and needing guidance to adjust and reconnect.
Who Should NOT Participate in the Couples Intensive?
This program may not be suitable for:
- Partners who are not ready to commit or are unwilling to fully engage in the process.
- Couples who may struggle with the intensive nature of this format, as it involves lengthy, focused session(s) requiring emotional and mental energy.
- Couples dealing with active drug or alcohol addiction, as sobriety is essential for meaningful participation.
- Relationships experiencing ongoing infidelity, where the betrayal is ongoing and partner is not willing to end it.
- Couples where serious violence is present, as safety must always come first.
- Situations involving severe mental health concerns, such as active suicidal ideation, that require immediate and specialized care.
If any of the above situations apply to you, we encourage you to consider alternative therapeutic options that are better suited to your needs before engaging in an intensive program.
What happens after completion of the couples intensive?
Successful completion of the couples intensive can truly be transformative. Couples often after finishing the couples intensive feel stronger, more connected, and better equipped to navigate their relationship hurdles using the tools and strategies they’ve learned.
The intensive provides a solid foundation for ongoing growth and helps couples build the skills needed to maintain a fulfilling relationship. For many couples, the couples intensive serves as a launching pad for ongoing progress. Transitioning to ongoing couples counseling after the intensive allows partners to deepen their understanding, address emerging issues, and ensure they stay on track with their goals. Regular ongoing counseling sessions can provide the accountability and support needed to sustain the positive changes made during the intensive.
Alternatively, some couples prefer to use the couples intensive as a standalone service or as a once- or twice-a-year deep dive into their relationship. This approach works well for couples who want to periodically dedicate focused time to their relationship without committing to ongoing sessions. By revisiting the intensive format, couples can address new challenges, refresh their skills, and continue strengthening their bond over time.
No matter the path, the couples intensive is designed to empower partners to grow together and cultivate a lasting, fulfilling connection.
How couples can prepare for the couples intensive.
Preparing for a couples intensive is an important step in making the most of this transformative experience. Here’s how you can get ready:
- Complete Required Paperwork (this will be completed electronically before the initial consultation)
As with any counseling service, there is standard paperwork to complete before your session. This ensures we have the necessary information to tailor the intensive to your needs. Each partner will receive a link to an online questionnaire. This assessment is an important tool for identifying your relationship’s strengths and challenges. - Attend the Pre-Session (1.0 Hour, Virtual or In-Person)
Before the intensive, you will meet with your counselor for a pre-session. This meeting serves as an opportunity to discuss:- Your goals for the intensive.
- Key challenges in your relationship.
- Any questions or concerns you may have.
The pre-session allows the counselor to gain insight into your unique relationship dynamics and design the intensive to address your specific needs. - Readiness for the couples intensive.
- Reflect and Set Intentions
Spend some time individually reflecting on your hopes for the intensive.- Consider what you want to achieve.
- Explore personal and relationship areas you’d like to improve.
- Have an idea of the strengths you want to build on in your relationship.
- Plan for the Day(s)
I strongly encourage you to make arrangements to fully dedicate your time and energy to the intensive. Clear your schedule, minimize distractions, and prioritize self-care leading up to the session. This will help you stay focused and engaged throughout the process.
By taking these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to dive into the couples intensive and make the most of this opportunity to strengthen your relationship.

You are ready for change!
Who Is A Couples Intensive For?
Couples intensives are ideal for:
- Couples that are in distress and who want immediate support to address challenging issues.
- Partners who feel that they are stuck in recurring conflicts and are ready for a breakthrough.
- Couples seeking to repair trust after infidelity.
- Busy couples who are ready make significant progress in a short amount of time.
What Is A Couples Intensive?
A couples intensive is a counseling service offer to couples by a clinician that focuses on relationships. The intensive is a highly focused therapeutic experience that spans over a few days. During this time, you and your partner will work closely with a licensed mental health counselor specializing in evidence based practices.
At Santos Counseling, we have counselors that hold training with Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method—two evidence-based approaches to helping couples strengthen their relationship. Couples Intensives allow you to address underlying issues, practice new communication skills, and rebuild trust and intimacy.
Who Is A Couples Intensive NOT For?
Couples intensives may not be suitable for:
- Relationships with physical violence or abuse is present.
- Couples where one partner is not willing or unable to fully participate.
- Relationships that have active addiction that isn’t being addressed.
- Couples that are already planning on separation or divorce.

A Stronger Foundation
In the situations shared the alternative counseling service of individual or ongoing relationship work can be a favorable alternative.
How Is A Couples Intensive Different from Standard Ongoing Couples Counseling?
One of the most common questions about couples intensives is focused on how it differs from ongoing couples counseling. Here are 4 key differences and benefits to help you with your decision on which service to pursue:
- Time Commitment: Ongoing couples counseling typically involves one-hour sessions. These sessions are often scheduled weekly or bimonthly. In contrast, couples intensives offer longer sessions for a few days.
- Depth of Focus: Couples intensives provide uninterrupted time to dive deeper into the relationship, explore challenges, engage in strategies, and all without the constraints of the shorter session time.
- Accelerated Progress: A strong benefit of intensive is that is fosters a concentrated space for effort. The couples is able to have 4 or more hours where they can often achieve breakthroughs and clarity that might take months in traditional counseling.
- Customized Experience: Couples intensives can be unique in that they hold the opportunity to be tailored to the couples specific relationship needs.