What to Expect During Your Couples Intensive

Before your couple’s intensive event begins, you and your partner will complete a series of research-backed relationship assessments to identify your strengths, struggles, and patterns. This helps Dr. Santos fully understand your unique dynamic and tailor the couples intensive to your specific needs.

This is where the real transformation happens. During your intensive sessions, you’ll:

• Review and unpack the insights from your relationship assessments
• Explore and address the root issues and recurring patterns keeping you stuck
• Work through structured relationship exercises using a guided Couples Workbook

You will leave with new learned approaches, insight, and tools. At the end of your intensive, you’ll walk away with your personalized Couples Workbook filled with notes, tools, and exercises you can continue using. These resources are designed to help you maintain progress, deepen your connection, and navigate future challenges with confidence and compassion.

You can get started by completing the “Interested in Couples Intensive” form on this page. You can also call or text the office at 336-663-6570. We respond during business hours and do our best to answer calls live — because your time and your care matter.

What a couple’s 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.
• Allow couples 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 couple’s 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.

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.

Key items for the initial couples intensive:

• 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.

All couples intensives must first go through the initial 1-hour consultation. We offer three options to best accommodate your needs:

• Mini Couples Intensive (4 hours)
• 1-day Couples Intensive (6 hours)
• 2-day Couples Intensive (12 hours)

Fees:

• Initial Consultation (1 hour): $200 (This is a separate fee and is not applied to 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 $350 per hour times for the couples intensives.

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!

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.

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.

Over time, 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 couple’s 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.

The couples intensive service 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.

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.

Preparing for a couples intensive is an important step in making the most of this transformative experience. Here’s how you can get ready:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.