8555 16th St, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Serving MD, DC, VA Virtual Only (301) 244-8052
Couples Intensives
Do you want to try couples therapy but don't have the time for weekly sessions?
A 3-hour couples intensive therapy session is a focused, in-depth experience designed to dive deeper into relationship dynamics, identify patterns, and work toward resolution or progress more quickly than traditional 50-minute sessions.
Here's a breakdown of what such a session might look like:
Structure of a 3-Hour Couples Intensive Therapy Session
Pre-Session (Before the Day of the Session)​
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Initial 15 minute Consultation: A brief phone call or virtual meeting to clarify goals and concerns.
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Hour 1: Groundwork and Exploration
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Welcome and Framing the Session:
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Clarify the structure and goals for the session.
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Set intentions and boundaries (e.g., respectful communication).
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Sharing Relationship History:
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Each partner shares their perspective on the relationship’s timeline, challenges, and strengths.
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Therapist listens for core patterns, attachment styles, and key emotional themes.
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Identify Core Issues:
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Common areas: communication breakdowns, trust, intimacy, conflict resolution, unmet needs, etc.
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Therapist reflects and reframes to help couples see recurring dynamics.
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Hour 2: Deep Work and Intervention
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Live Conflict/Interaction Work:
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Therapist may facilitate a structured conversation around a recent or recurring conflict.
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Techniques might include:
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Accessing underlying emotions and attachment needs.
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The Gottman Method: Exploring bids for connection, managing conflict, and enhancing friendship.
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Imago Dialogue: Structured communication for listening and validating.
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Clarifying Needs and Emotions:
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Help each partner articulate what they truly feel and need beneath the surface reactions.
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Hour 3: Integration and Forward Focus
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Rebuilding Trust and Connection:
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Exercises that foster empathy, appreciation, and emotional closeness.
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Tools and Strategies:
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Personalized techniques for communication, managing conflict, or rebuilding intimacy.
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Action Plan:
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Agree on take-home tools, behavioral commitments, or future topics.
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Discuss next steps (e.g., continued therapy, individual work, check-ins).
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Closing Reflection:
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Each partner shares what they’re taking away from the session.
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What are some benefits of an intensive session?
1. Accelerated Progress
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Intensive sessions allow couples to make significant strides in a single sitting—what might normally take weeks of traditional therapy.
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Ideal for urgent issues or when couples feel stuck in repetitive patterns.
2. Deeper Exploration
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The extended time frame allows for a thorough unpacking of core issues without the pressure of a 60-minute clock.
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Partners can explore emotions, history, and triggers in greater depth.
3. Reduced Escalation and More Resolution
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With more time to slow down reactive cycles and explore what’s underneath conflict, couples are more likely to de-escalate and reach meaningful insights or resolution.
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There's time to work through both sides of a conflict in one session, rather than dragging it out over weeks.
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4. Dedicated Focus with Fewer Distractions
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A half-day commitment signals intentionality. Both partners are showing up ready to work.
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Unlike short weekly sessions, intensives offer uninterrupted space to fully engage in the process.
5. Customized, High-Impact Work
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Sessions are tailored to the couple's unique dynamics, needs, and goals.
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Therapists can blend approaches (e.g., EFT, Gottman, Imago) and deliver more personalized interventions in real time.
6. Ideal for Busy Schedules
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Intensive sessions are well-suited for couples who travel often, have conflicting schedules, or can’t commit to weekly therapy.
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Great for out-of-town clients or those wanting to jumpstart or supplement ongoing therapy.
7. Effective During Relationship Crossroads
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Intensives are particularly useful during transitions (e.g., pre-marriage, post-affair, parenting shifts, separation consideration).
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They provide a container to clarify decisions, heal ruptures, or recommit with clearer communication.
"How do I know if an intensive is appropriate for our situation?"
You can talk this over with our intake coordinator, and they will be able to address your specific situation.
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Here are some reasons an intensive may not be appropriate:
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1. Active Domestic Violence or Coercive Control
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If there is ongoing physical violence, threats, or coercive control in the relationship, a joint intensive session may not be emotionally or physically safe.
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These situations often require individual support and careful risk assessment before any couple work is appropriate.
2. One or Both Partners Are Not Emotionally Ready
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If one partner feels pressured to attend or is emotionally shut down, resentful, or resistant to doing the work, the session may not be productive.
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Successful intensives require mutual willingness to engage and reflect.
3. Affair or Major Betrayal Just Disclosed Without Stabilization
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If an infidelity or betrayal has just come to light and the emotional shock is still raw, it’s often better to allow time for initial stabilization and emotional regulation before engaging in intensive work.
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A therapist may suggest a phased approach instead.
4. Untreated Addiction or Serious Mental Health Concerns
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If either partner is actively struggling with substance use or unmanaged mental health conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder in an acute phase, active suicidality), individual treatment should be prioritized first.
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Intensive couple work may exacerbate instability or overwhelm.
5. One or Both Partners Are Considering Separation but Not Invested in Repair
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If one partner has already emotionally “checked out” or is using the session to justify ending the relationship, it may lead to unproductive or harmful dynamics.
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A discernment counseling model may be more appropriate in such cases.
6. High Emotional Volatility or Inability to Self-Regulate
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If either partner becomes easily dysregulated, overwhelmed, or aggressive in sessions, the extended format could intensify reactivity rather than resolve it.
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A series of shorter sessions might help build emotional safety first.
You can feel connected and loved.
No matter what your starting point is, with the right guidance and support, healing and growth are possible. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore your options, ask questions, and see if we’re a good fit.
You deserve intimacy that feels safe, passionate, and meaningful. Let’s begin the journey together.
Hear from Couples
Hear from Women
"I am 31 and still single. No matter what relationship I was in, I ended up with "the bad guy." I couldn't figure out why I was so "unlucky" and always ended up with men who treated me badly and did not appreciate me. Working with Ivy was an eye-opening experience. She helped me pick up on my dysfunctional thought patterns, my poor choices, and what I was doing that was compromising my happiness. Not only that, but I got to understand that my low self-esteem and history of abuse/neglect from my father was leading to this pattern. I have gained awareness and confidence and am now in a relationship with a 'good guy.'"
Jane, 31
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"When I first came to see Rivka, I had not been able to have intercourse in over a year. Being only 22 years old, I knew that this did not seem normal. My college health center sent me to see her for therapy. Through treatment of my generalized anxiety as well as my anxiety about sex and my body, I was able to successfully achieve intercourse (and pleasure along with it!) in a few short months. She was warm, caring, and easy to talk to. This was well worth the investment! I cannot thank her enough for helping me with such an embarrassing and anxiety-provoking problem.
Julie, 22