What is an Intensive?
An Intensive is accelerated, personalized, short-term couples counseling that typically takes place over two and a half days. We accomplish what typically takes 4-6 months to achieve in traditional couples counseling. Intensives are closer to a personalized relationship retreat than the common model of weekly therapy. In an intensive, the day is dedicated to you. That means the schedule will flex around what you need. We will take breaks at natural transition points in the therapy process, not when the clock says it's time. Through this process, you develop an understanding of the source of your relationship distress, have increased empathy for each other, and develop strategies for reconnecting. This approach also helps increase communication and team work in a relationship.
Intensive couples counseling is helpful when:
You have challenging schedules due to work, travel or kids. If your busy life makes weekly therapy sessions difficult, intensives fit into your schedule and provide an opportunity to do the relational work over a few days.
You need to see progress happen fast. Intensives provide an opportunity to grow and heal at an accelerated rate. Traditional couples therapy is a valuable service, but it can also be deeply frustrating when you are on the brink of a breakthrough and your 50 minutes are up.
You need the structure to focus on your relationship. Finding time to have important conversations with your partner can be challenging. Dedicating two and a half days of uninterrupted time and space allows you to shift your relationship to a different place and experience a sense of accomplishment. In an intensive, couples slow down, turn off their phones, and focus on the core relationship issues.
Your relationship is in crisis. Intensives are especially helpful following the discovery of a betrayal. Intensives can help put a torniquet on the wound and facilitate the process of healing.
You’ve tried couples counseling before and not been able to achieve your goals. An intensive is an opportunity to try something different.
You are in a new relationship and want to make sure you are creating patterns to keep this relationship healthy and strong.
Reported Outcomes from Our Intensives:
Improved Emotional Intimacy
Improved Physical Intimacy
Better Communication
Greater Clarity about the Relationship
Increased Ability to Solve Problems Together as a Team
Replacing Negative Patterns with More Positive Interactions
What is Emotionally Focused Therapy?
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) is a form of short-term therapy that aims to restore connections and closeness in relationships. It is a research-validated approach to helping people make sense of their relationship distress and make changes to destructive relationship patterns.
We are innately wired for intimate bonding with others. When relationship distress occurs, these bonds can feel thin, disorganized, unstable, or even absent. As EFCT therapists, Dr. Fagan and Dr. Srsic harness the healing powers of emotion and the need for secure attachment to help distressed relationships become safe and secure connections.
The benefits of successful couples’ therapy reach beyond strengthened and committed relationships. Couples who have a healthier relationship have lower levels of stress and stress hormones, which contributes to better physical health and lower vulnerability to disease. Individuals in strong relationships experience lower levels of depression and anxiety, lower incidence of suicidal thoughts, less substance abuse and improved functionality at work and make better parents. Couples therapy maintains a healthier family system and contributes to healthier coping skills.
What People Are Saying
“This was a wonderful experience. Colby was insightful into underlying causes of our current behavior and helped us understand how our approach can affect others. She gave us concrete directions on how to move forward and grow as a couple.”
— E. G.
“Colby's ability to listen and recap, as well as to "rewind" to expand some of the feelings we expressed, were so keen and helpful! Seeing the report summarizing our interactions (both as we went and after we had parted) - created both a sense of security (we were fully understood) and a confidence that we could manage our challenges (they weren't so overwhelmingly complicated after all) to emerge from the cycle in which we had previously felt so trapped. Further, it was nothing short of healing to have Colby welcome our corrections or changes without the least defensiveness. We're so grateful! Thank you for providing us with physical comfort, excellent listening, and kind and specific unconditional positive regard.”
— C. M.
“Our experience was exceptional. Colby was a gem in all respects. She made us feel at home. Also, her office was extremely cozy, taking us just minutes to settle in. Really, we wouldn't change anything about the experience. It was well worth the time, money, and effort. 1000x times over.”
— J. M.
“It was a very smooth experience that exceeded my expectations. Colby is truly amazing in this space, a true professional and very genuine. I feel so much more educated about myself and our marriage. Having the right forum to actually share years worth of difficult issues lifted something very heavy off my chest.”
—C. B.
“Having Colby there to keep us focused on our feelings in those moments. She provided a calming, secure and non judgmental space for us to explore intimate issues. She approached our interactions with curiosity and an openness that helped us maintain vulnerability and work through a deeper exploration of emotions. We were able to achieve a better understanding of what to work on going forward. We deeply appreciate Colby’s willingness to hold space for the most private parts of our relationship, thereby, allowing us to fully connect with each other in a safe way. We will be forever grateful!!!”
—K. H. & R. C.