For so many of us, it can be truly painful to look at our closest relationship, our marriage, and admit that not everything is perfect. Whether it’s dealing with lack of time to spend alone together, lack of energy to devote to one another or a deeper issue such as the loss of a child or infidelity, coping with issues in any relationship can be challenging and exhausting. However devastating this realization might be, it’s important to remember that there is always hope of rekindling your relationship. The first step is admitting that you need help and reaching out to the right support system, such as pursuing a marriage counselor1.
One method of reinvigorating relationships that seem to be teetering on the edge of fizzling out is known as ‘intensive marriage counseling.’ A more involved version of couples therapy, this type of relationship counseling involves more one-on-one work with a licensed therapist over a shorter period of time to really identify and work through issues and struggles. This method has been proven to be highly successful among relationships of all shapes and sizes.
If you’re considering intensive marriage counseling as a method of renewing your marriage and rekindling your relationship but not sure where to get started, we’re happy to help. Keep reading to discover an overview of this crucial element of relationship therapy as well as recommendations on how to find the right marriage counselor for your unique relationship.
What is ‘Intensive Marriage Counseling?’
We may all be familiar with the idea of ‘marriage counseling’ or ‘couples therapy,’ but fewer are as acquainted with the idea of ‘intensive marriage counseling.’ This more involved version of couples counseling is favored among marriage therapists due to its high success rate and the one-on-one support that it can provide to each person in the marriage.
Intensive marriage counseling is a more involved form of couples therapy, valued for its high success rates and the focused, individual attention it offers each partner2. Unlike traditional counseling, typically held weekly or biweekly, this approach involves longer sessions (often 4–6 hours per day) across 2–3 consecutive days3. These sessions can be conducted:
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Online, from home
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In-person, at the therapist’s office
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In a retreat setting, away from daily distractions
Intensive marriage counseling is often performed with longer sessions in a shorter period of time. With standard marriage counseling, you tend to meet either together or one-on-one with your therapist once per month or every other week. And while this can help some couples identify struggles in their relationships and overcome them, it’s not 100% effective. With intensive couples counseling, you spend 4-6 hours per day with your therapist over 2-3 days, working closely on any roadblocks and identifying solutions together. This type of couples therapy can be done online from your own home, in-person in your therapist’s office or at a marriage intensive retreat away from the home.
Does Intensive Marriage Counseling Actually Work?
Yes—this form of therapy has been effective even in severe circumstances, including infidelity, emotional disconnect, family conflict, and anger issues2. Spending extended, concentrated time working through challenges enables couples to address core issues more deeply and effectively. Because the couple will spend multiple hours of a single day together focusing solely on the issues at hand and working together to overcome them, many marriages have been saved with intensive couples counseling.
Will Intensive Marriage Counseling Work for My Marriage?
Many couples question whether their relationship can be salvaged. Fortunately, intensive counseling has been shown to benefit a broad range of relationship challenges2. The most pivotal step, however, is recognizing the need for help and acting on it1.
How to Find Intensive Marriage Counseling
When seeking out intensive marriage counseling, it’s important to find the right support system to help you along your journey towards renewing your marriage. Look for experienced professionals who have worked within the space for many years, as they will have the knowledge base needed to help guide you along the path. In addition, always ensure that the therapist that you choose is properly licensed and knowledgeable about the particular type of couples therapy you are interested in, such as Imago relationship therapy.
In today’s digital age, we are no longer limited to looking for local counselors within our geographical area. That being said, you can easily find licensed marriage therapists with a vast amount of experience who are able to conduct intensive marriage counseling online, simply by searching. However, when seeking out a therapist online, always make sure to read reviews and do your research to make sure that they are properly licensed and experienced in the area.
How to Find the Right Intensive Marriage Counselor
When searching for intensive marriage counseling, consider these tips:
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Choose experienced, properly licensed therapists, particularly those trained in modalities like Imago therapy4.
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Read reviews and verify credentials when exploring online therapy options5.
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Be mindful of the therapist’s specialization and experience in delivering intensive counseling4.
When it comes to renewing and reinvigorating your relationship, the hardest step is admitting that you need help. Once you make this crucial realization, it’s time to reach out for help, whether it’s through couples counseling or intensive marriage therapy. With intensive marriage counseling, you undergo a more ‘intensive’ or involved form of therapy that is one-on-one with a licensed expert. Also known as a ‘marriage intensive,’ this type of relationship therapy has been shown to have a high level of success in supporting better communication and understanding between couples, thereby reigniting relationships and marriages in the process.
Key Takeaways
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Intensive marriage counseling compresses months of progress into a few focused days.
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It can help even in serious situations like infidelity, trauma, or deep disconnection.
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Taking the first step to seek help is often the biggest turning point.
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A qualified, experienced therapist—preferably with training in approaches like Imago—is essential.
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Options include online, in-office, and retreat formats, allowing flexibility for different needs.
Sources
Halford, W. K., & Snyder, D. K. (2012). Universal processes and common factors in couple therapy and relationship education. Family Process, 51(4), 652–666. ↩ ↩2
Lebow, J., Chambers, A., Christensen, A., & Johnson, S. (2012). Research on the treatment of couple distress. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38(1), 145–168. ↩ ↩2 ↩3
Slatkin, S. (n.d.). A Deep Dive into Intensive Marriage Counseling. The Marriage Restoration Project. Retrieved from https://themarriagerestorationproject.com/a-deep-dive-into-intensive-marriage-counseling/ ↩
Hendrix, H., Hunt, H. L., & Luquet, W. (2015). Imago Relationship Therapy: Perspectives on theory. Routledge. ↩ ↩2
Anderson, S., et al. (2016). Effectiveness of online therapy for relationship problems: A systematic review. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, 1(1), 1–12. ↩
