Are marriage intensives worth it?

When your marriage feels like it’s hanging by a thread, every day can feel unbearable. You’ve tried talking, maybe even months of weekly counseling, but nothing seems to change. That’s when many couples start searching for something different—something stronger, faster, and more focused.

That’s where marriage intensives come in. But are they really worth the time, cost, and effort?

As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified Imago Relationship Therapist, and ordained Rabbi, I’ve spent more than 20 years helping couples in crisis. My work has been featured in Business Insider, AARP, and The Baltimore Sun. And I’ve seen firsthand how marriage intensives can transform even the most disconnected relationships—when done well and at the right time.

Here’s everything you need to know before deciding if a marriage intensive is right for you.

What Is a Marriage Intensive?

A marriage intensive is a private, immersive counseling experience where a licensed therapist works exclusively with one couple for two or more days. Instead of 50-minute weekly sessions, you spend hours each day diving into the core of your struggles.

This format creates the space for breakthroughs that are nearly impossible to achieve in short, spread-out sessions.

Marriage Intensive vs. Other Options

The easiest way to understand intensives is to compare them with other approaches:

Format	Duration	Privacy	Scheduling	Best For
Weekly Counseling	50 min/week	Private	Flexible	Gradual growth, mild issues
Group Retreats	2–3 days	Shared	Set dates	Premarital, enrichment, skills
Private Intensives	2–5 days	Private	On demand	Crisis repair, post-affair recovery, couples who feel “out of time”

Why Couples Choose Intensives

1. Faster Results

A 2-day intensive can equal 8–9 months of weekly therapy. The uninterrupted time lets you go deeper, stay with emotions, and practice new communication tools in real time.

2. Privacy & Safety

Unlike group retreats, intensives are one-on-one. Couples often feel safer addressing sensitive issues like betrayal, infidelity, or long-standing resentment without other couples present.

3. Clarity for “Last Chance” Couples

Many couples arrive at our Baltimore office ready to separate. In a safe, structured environment, they discover whether healing is possible—or whether to part ways respectfully.

“We came to our intensive on the brink of divorce. By the end of the weekend, we not only had tools to talk again—we actually felt hope. Six months later, we’re stronger than we’ve been in years.” — Couple from Philadelphia

4. Travel Worth Making

Couples fly in from across the U.S.—Baltimore, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond—because private, on-demand intensives are hard to find locally.

Are There Downsides to a Marriage Intensive?

Marriage intensives are not a magic fix. Here’s what you should know:

Cost: Private intensives typically cost $5,000–$8,000. While significant, many couples see it as an investment compared to the financial and emotional toll of divorce.
Emotional intensity: Spending hours each day in deep work can feel overwhelming. But it’s often exactly this level of focus that creates transformation.
Follow-through required: Without ongoing support, couples risk slipping back into old patterns. That’s why we include structured follow-up counseling to help integrate the breakthroughs.

Do They Really Work?

Research backs up the effectiveness of intensive therapy. Studies on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Imago Relationship Therapy show significant reductions in marital distress, with results often lasting beyond the therapy itself.

At The Marriage Restoration Project, we see it every day. Many couples who arrive hopeless leave with renewed connection, rebuilt trust, and a roadmap for staying connected.

Key Takeaways

Marriage intensives are private, therapist-led retreats designed for couples in crisis.
They compress months of therapy into days, allowing faster breakthroughs.
They are ideal for couples facing infidelity, disconnection, or feeling like this is their “last chance.”
They cost more than weekly therapy but can save time, money, and heartbreak in the long run.
Couples travel from across the U.S. (Baltimore, DC, Philly, NYC, and beyond) for intensives that can’t wait for a scheduled retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How long do results from a marriage intensive last?
With continued effort and follow-up, many couples report lasting improvement months and even years later.

Q2: Is a marriage intensive worth it if weekly therapy hasn’t worked?
Yes. Many of our clients come after months of stalled progress in weekly sessions. The immersive format helps break through stuck patterns.

Q3: Where are your marriage intensives held?
We host intensives in Baltimore, MD. Couples often travel from DC, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. Virtual options are also available.

Q4: What’s the difference between a marriage intensive and a group retreat?
Retreats are group-based on set dates. Intensives are private, on demand, and personalized.

Q5: How much does a marriage intensive cost?
Most private intensives range from $5,000–$8,000 depending on length and follow-up support.

Q6: Are marriage intensives only for couples in crisis?
No. While many attend at a “last chance” stage, intensives are also powerful for couples who want to deepen intimacy or prevent recurring patterns.

Q7: How quickly can we schedule a marriage intensive?
Unlike group retreats, our intensives are on demand. Most couples can schedule within a few weeks.

Q8: How long does a marriage intensive take?
Typically two full days, though some extend to 3–5 days depending on need.

Q9: Can we try a DIY retreat at home instead?
Yes. We offer a self-guided 5-Step Marriage Restoration Course ($479) that couples often use as a DIY weekend retreat. It’s affordable and flexible, though not a substitute for therapist-led intensive work.

Q10: What is the success rate of marriage intensives?
Studies on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Imago show significant reductions in distress, with many couples reporting long-term improvement. While no therapy guarantees results, intensives consistently produce faster breakthroughs than weekly sessions.

Q11: Are marriage intensives covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans do not cover intensives. However, some couples use HSA/FSA funds toward the cost.

Q12: Is a marriage intensive worth it if this is our last chance?
Yes. Many couples attend intensives at the brink of divorce. The immersive format gives them one concentrated opportunity to gain clarity, repair trust, and decide their future with confidence.

Sources

Johnson, S. (2008). Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love. Little, Brown Spark.
Hendrix, H. (2007). Getting the Love You Want. Holt Paperbacks.
Gottman, J., & Gottman, J. (2015). 10 Principles for Doing Effective Couples Therapy. Norton.
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Effectiveness of Couple Therapy.
Lebow, J., Chambers, A., Christensen, A., & Johnson, S. (2012). Treatment of Couple Distress. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38(1), 145–168.