Marriage Intensives & Online Counseling | Imago Therapy – The Marriage Restoration Project

What Is a Marriage Intensive (and How Does It Work?)

Bring the breakthrough your relationship needs. Enter the intensive marriage retreat — a transformative experience designed to provide rapid progress in repairing and strengthening your marriage.

If you’ve been wondering, “What is a marriage intensive?” or “How does an intensive couples therapy retreat work?” you’re not alone. This guide explains what a marriage intensive is, why it works, what to expect, and how to know if it’s right for you.

What Is a Marriage Intensive?

A marriage intensive (sometimes called a marriage intensive retreat or intensive couples therapy retreat) is a focused, immersive experience that helps couples repair their relationship in a condensed time frame. Most programs last 2–3 days and provide structured, in-depth therapy designed to address the unique challenges of your marriage.

Unlike weekly therapy, which spreads progress over months, a marriage intensive dives deep into core issues in just days, equipping couples with tools to reconnect, repair, and rebuild their relationship.

Why Choose a Marriage Intensive Over Weekly Counseling?

Weekly counseling can be helpful for gradual growth, but many couples feel stuck or frustrated by the slow pace. An intensive format:

  • Provides more face-to-face time with a licensed therapist
  • Removes daily distractions so you can focus fully on your relationship
  • Creates a safe, intentional environment for healing conversations
  • Offers guided communication exercises to strengthen trust, resolve conflict, and restore connection

For couples in crisis — or those who have tried weekly therapy without lasting results — a marriage intensive can provide the fast breakthrough they’ve been looking for.

How Our Retreat Is Different

At The Marriage Restoration Project, our No Blame, No Shame Marriage Intensive uses a whole-relationship approach:

  • No splitting couples into individual sessions — we believe healing must happen between partners, not separately with a therapist.
  • Guided, structured dialogue — instead of repeating unhealthy patterns, you’ll practice new, intentional communication that opens the door to empathy and connection.
  • Imago Relationship Therapy as our foundation — a proven method that helps you understand each other through the lens of unmet childhood needs.

This isn’t just “talking it out.” It’s a structured, transformative process that gives you tools to stop destructive cycles and rebuild emotional safety.

What to Expect in a 2-Day Intensive

Duration & Schedule: Our retreats typically run for two full days, including six structured therapy sessions with breaks for integration and rest.

Location & Accommodations: You choose your own lodging nearby, giving you flexibility for budget and comfort, or if you come to work with Rabbi Shlomo in Baltimore, your hotel stay for a night is included. If you decide to visit any of our other locations in New York, California, Texas, Hawaii, Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, or Arizona, we’ll recommend peaceful hotels or Airbnbs.

Meals & Travel: Meals aren’t included — we encourage couples to use mealtimes as downtime for reflection and self-care.

Preparation:

  • Bring a journal for insights
  • Wear comfortable clothing
  • Prepare mentally for open, honest dialogue

This is active emotional work, not a passive workshop.

Marriage Intensive vs Weekly Therapy

So, is a marriage retreat better than weekly therapy? It depends on your goals:

  • Weekly counseling offers long-term support and slow progress.
  • Marriage intensives accelerate breakthroughs, giving you concentrated healing in just one weekend.

Couples facing urgent issues — infidelity, high conflict, or the brink of divorce — often find that an intensive delivers clarity and connection much faster than weekly sessions.

Therapy Methods in Marriage Retreats

Not all retreats use the same model. Here’s how they differ:

  • Imago Relationship Therapy (Our Core Approach): Helps partners understand each other through unmet needs and guided dialogue.
  • Gottman Method: Research-based, focusing on communication and emotional connection.
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Strengthens secure attachment bonds.
  • CBT/Coaching Models: Emphasize mindset shifts and behavior changes.

Why it matters: The wrong method can leave couples feeling stuck. Imago is uniquely focused on repairing the relationship dynamic, so both partners feel safe and understood.

After the Intensive: What Happens Next?

Healing doesn’t stop after two days. We provide a aftercare plan that includes follow-up sessions, practice tools, and strategies to keep your momentum strong. This ensures your progress continues long after the retreat ends.

Is a Marriage Intensive Worth It?

If you’re feeling disconnected, stuck, or on the edge of divorce, a marriage intensive retreat may be the best investment you can make.

Couples leave with:

  • A renewed sense of connection
  • Tools for handling conflict without blame
  • A roadmap for long-term growth

The question isn’t whether you can afford to invest in a marriage intensive — it’s whether you can afford not to.

How Much Does a Marriage Intensive Cost?

A private 2-day marriage counseling intensive is a serious investment in your future together.

  • Our 2-Day Private Marriage Intensive begins at $6,997.
  • That includes two full days of therapy and structured communication work with a licensed marriage therapist.
  • Most couples also receive 8 follow-up sessions (online or in person) to help maintain their progress.

We are private pay, but we provide superbills you can submit to your insurance. Many clients also use HSA/FSA accounts.

Compared to 6–12 months of weekly therapy (which can cost even more over time), intensives often save money while delivering results much faster.

After the Retreat: What Happens Next

The intensive is just the beginning. To make sure your progress sticks, every couple leaves with a 60-Day Roadmap that includes:

  • 8 structured follow-up counseling sessions (90 minutes each, online or in person)
  • Practice tools and worksheets to reinforce new skills at home
  • Ongoing check-ins to celebrate wins and troubleshoot setbacks
  • Continued access to our 5-Step Marriage Restoration program for long-term support

This continuity ensures the breakthroughs you achieve during the retreat carry over into everyday life.

Who Should Not Attend a Marriage Intensive

Intensives can be life-changing, but they are not the right fit for every couple. We do not recommend an intensive if:

  • There is ongoing physical or emotional abuse
  • A partner is unwilling to participate
  • There is untreated addiction or a severe mental health crisis

In these situations, your immediate safety and stability come first. Please reach out — we can recommend resources and help you find the support you need before trying an intensive.

Success Stories & Outcomes

“We were three months into an in-house separation. After the very first exercise, I experienced more safety, empathy, and breakthrough than ever before.”

“I didn’t think my husband would agree to come, but when he saw how different your No Blame, No Shame approach was, he said yes. We are blown away by the results — in just 2 days, everything shifted.”

“We had been in therapy for years and were still on the verge of divorce. The intensive gave us the tools to break the cycle of conflict. Now we can actually enjoy each other again.”

Hundreds of couples have completed our program with similar results. Even couples who were sure divorce was their only option often leave with renewed hope and a practical plan to repair their marriage.

FAQs About Marriage Intensives

What is a marriage intensive?

A 2–3 day private counseling retreat where couples work intensively with a licensed therapist to resolve core issues and restore connection.

How much does a marriage intensive cost?

Costs vary by provider, but most range from $3,000–$7,500 for a 2-day retreat.

Who should not do a marriage intensive?

Couples experiencing ongoing abuse and untreated addiction should seek individual safety and stabilization first.

Do marriage intensives really work?

Yes. Research and client outcomes show intensives can accelerate breakthroughs and reduce the likelihood of divorce.

Is it covered by insurance?

Most intensives are private-pay, but we provide superbills you can submit to your insurance or HSA/FSA accounts.

Part of the Blog Series: The Truth About Marriage Counseling Retreats

This post is part of our 6-part series:

  1. Costs
  2. Effectiveness
  3. Retreat Logistics
  4. Therapy Methods
  5. Red Flags
  6. Choosing the Right Therapist

Picture of Shlomo & Rivka Slatkin

Shlomo & Rivka Slatkin

Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin is an Imago relationship therapist and certified (master level) Imago workshop presenter with over 20 years of experience hosting couples therapy retreats in-person and online.

Picture of Shlomo & Rivka Slatkin

Shlomo & Rivka Slatkin

Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin is an Imago relationship therapist and certified (master level) Imago workshop presenter with over 20 years of experience hosting couples therapy retreats in-person and online.

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