When You Need Change and
Don't Want to Wait -
The Couples Weekend Intensive
(In-Person Only, in Williamsburg, Virginia)
When you are numb or exhausted by going around in circles in your relationship, every day can feel like a question mark. Will this ever get better, or will we just keep spinning our wheels until we can’t do it anymore? If you’re feeling stuck between trying harder and wondering if it’s time to let go, you don’t have to stay in that place. There is a more focused, effective way:
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One weekend.
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One couple.
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One therapist.
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One focus - your most important relationship.
Clarity and Answers
Instead of spending months in weekly sessions, at the intensive, we devote an entire weekend to understanding, assessing, and working through core issues. By the end of the weekend, you’ll have a clear sense of what’s happening in your relationship, how you each contribute, and what is needed - specifically - to make the relationship healthy and enjoyable. You will also have some new skills to put immediately into practice.
A Thoughtful Guided Process
Every couple is screened before being accepted into a weekend intensive. This initial consultation allows me to:
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Understand the current state of your relationship
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Identify whether an intensive is the right fit
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Set clear, realistic expectations for the weekend
From there, a customized therapeutic plan is developed based on your intake and pre-intensive work—so your time is focused, intentional, and productive.
Who Should Go to an Intensive?
Some couples arrive at a breaking point. They may not be sure the relationship can be saved but they want to put forth focused effort and feel less self-doubt, more informed, and aware. Others come in with less severe distress but a desire to reconnect, grow, and strengthen their bond. Each intensive is tailored to the couple. No two weekends are the same—but every couple receives focused attention, honest guidance, and meaningful opportunities for growth.
For couples where there is verbal, emotional, or physical aggression; untreated pyschiatric disorders; or untreated substance abuse issues, individual therapy is indicated - not couples therapy.
What You Leave With
1. Understanding and clarity around
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existing strengths and core pain points from both perspectives,
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the losing strategies partners are using and the cost to the relationship,
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relational patterns that keep the relationship stuck and where they come from, and
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conditions needed for repair and healing.
2. Specific individualized guidance around mindsets and behaviors that each partner will be encouraged to learn and practice for the good of the relationship.
3. New relationship skills and practice using them.
4. Handouts and a complete weekend intensive workbook for continued practice and ongoing relational support. The workbook contains additional lessons and exercises that may not have been used during the weekend due to time constraints.
5. A comprehensive summary and analysis of the weekend (provided within 48 hours) with professional clinical recommendations.
6. Follow up support including one included session after the intensive.
7. Assurance that you prioritized your relationship, invested in yourselves, and have what you need to take the next steps forward, whatever that may be for you. You should leave with clarity, a clear path forward, and action steps to begin executing on.
It's Normal to Feel Afraid
Committing to a couples weekend intensive is a big step, and yes, it comes with a lot of uncertainties.
Avoidance can feel easier. But is it, really? Hint: You wouldn’t be here if that were true.
The real concerns are often:
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What if this doesn't fix anything?
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What if I’m not 100% sure I even want to be with my partner anymore?
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What if bringing everything into the open makes it worse?
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What if one of us walks away feeling ambushed or blindsided?
These fears are common. And they’re exactly what this process is designed to handle—with intentional structure, thoughtful guidance, and deep respect for both of you. When couples are committed to growth and honesty, the weekend strengthens the alliance. When one or both are not ready to change, they at least know what the problems are and why the relationship is not thriving.
What We’ll Work Through Together
During your couples intensive, we focus on the patterns and dynamics that are keeping you stuck. We will
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Diagnose core relationship patterns and recurring conflict cycles
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Address any significant betrayals or traumas that have occurred (if relevant)
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Examine beliefs, expectations, and mindsets that may be keeping you stuck
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Highlight each partner’s strengths and areas for growth
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Begin connecting wounds of the past to current behaviors and begin the healing process
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Learn the skills and mindsets that contented couples use every day
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Practice communicating in new ways that increase safety and connection
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Detail the next steps for the relationship
The environment is intentionally structured to support deep, uninterrupted work and meaningful conversation to support forward movement.
The Weekend Structure
Friday Evening (Optional): Dinner together in Colonial Williamsburg to get acquainted and oriented and set the tone for the weekend.
Saturday: Sessions from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in my private office setting if in-person - with breaks and a catered lunch. Evening on your own. A time for reflection and introspection.
Sunday: Sessions from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., continuing the work and focusing on integration and next steps.
Couples may choose to extend their stay to reflect and reconnect after the intensive before returning to their daily routine.
Post-Intensive Follow Up
I won't leave you to fend for yourself when you leave the intensive! Post-intensive support includes:
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A written summary of key themes
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Clear recommendations for next steps
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Your weekend intensive workbook with handouts, diagrams, and tools to use at home
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Guidance for continued work (together or individually)
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An optional 60-minute follow-up session
Qualifications
18 years of clinical experience. A "seasoned" counselor.
Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with advanced training in couples therapy through Relational Life Therapy and The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy.
Broad range of life experiences to expertly address relational ambiguity, concerns around separation and divorce, parenting children through adults, co-parenting, grandparenting, infidelity and betrayal, the unique dynamics of blending families, second and third marriages, caregiving stresses on relationships, aging together, and additional complications from grief and loss.
Investment and Logistics
An entire weekend of specialized relationship repair and renewal for $3,000.
A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your weekend.
The remaining balance is due upon arrival via credit card or cash.
Your investment includes:
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Therapist's preparation based upon initial assessments and pre-intensive questionnaires
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Fourteen therapeutic hours with your couples specialist
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Friday night orientation dinner (for in-person events, upscale casual)
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Saturday and Sunday lunches, snacks, and beverages
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Private, comfortable environment with outdoor benches and picnic tables (dress comfortably)
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A Couples Weekend Intensive workbook for each participant
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Therapist post-intensive follow up report, recommendations
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One 60-minute post-intensive follow-up session
Lodging is not included (recommendations available from chains to numerous bed-and-breakfasts in-and-around historic Colonial Williamsburg.)
Weekend Intensives availability is limited due to the level of preparation and focus required.
Scheduling Your Weekend Intensive
STEP 1: All couples must complete an initial consultation call to assess for fit and appropriateness.
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Click here to schedule your consultation call and to reserve a date.
STEP 2: Select your weekend, make the deposit, and complete a pre-intensive questionnaire and assessment.
STEP 3: If it applies to you, schedule your lodging, transportation, and childcare
STEP 4: Block off the weekend on your calendar so you have 100% focus on the relationship without distractions from work or other interferences.
STEP 5: Relax. Trust that you have made the right choice - one that will bring clarity, completeness, and potentially life-changing progress. In the meantime, practice patience like never before.
STEP 6: If traveling to Williamsburg, VA, pack your overnight bags, wear comfy clothes, and come prepared with an open mind ready to learn, grow, and have honest, meaningful conversations in a safe environment.
Not ready for an intensive? Learn more about...