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Couples Therapy Intensive

Couple in Love

Is a Couples Therapy Intensive Right for You?

  • Are you and your partner stuck in a repetitive cycle of surface-level arguments? Have you noticed that tackling one issue in therapy leads to uncovering deeper underlying problems? It's time to break free from this pattern and achieve lasting resolution.

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  • What kind of relationship do you envision creating with your partner? Our intensive focuses on fostering deep connection and understanding between partners.

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  • Reflecting on your own journey, what do you believe you need to change within yourself to catalyze positive transformation in your relationship? Our program emphasizes individual growth alongside relational dynamics.

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  • Considering the goals you have for your relationship, begin to feel hopeful about the potential for change and growth through our intensive. 

You're looking for couples therapy that really makes a difference.

Couples Therapy Intensive in Airdrie

Maybe you feel like weekly or biweekly sessions won't be sufficient for the growth and change you need, and you need that change now. 

A Couples Intensive helps with:

  • Understanding personal emotional responses, coping mechanisms, and communication styles in a shorter period of time

  • Enhancing communication in a matter of days to better convey intentions

  • Observing positive changes in how partners interact

  • Quickly establishing a secure emotional bond

  • Increasing partner's emotional availability, responsiveness, and engagement within days rather than months

  • Guiding couples through predictable developmental stages in long-term relationships to create change sooner

  • Addressing conflicts related to navigating a couple's developmental stages to be on the same page within days

  • Supporting individual and mutual growth to strengthen emotional connection

Intensive Schedule

Intake with Couple (60 minutes)

  • First, we'll discuss your support needs and pinpoint the focus areas for the Intensive.

2 Individual Sessions (60 minutes each)

  • I'll have individual meetings with each of you to discuss your personal and relationship backgrounds.

Extended Couples Session

  • Intensives are scheduled for 1-3 days, for 2-4 hours at a time. Check out the FAQ section for a sample schedule.

Breaks!

  • It's common to feel tired during a long therapy session. We'll schedule regular breaks during the Intensive to keep us refreshed.

How is a couples intensive structured? 

What are the advantages of intensive therapy in terms of cost-effectiveness and time efficiency compared to weekly therapy?

In a typical weekly therapy session, the structure often involves approximately:

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  • 10-15 minutes update

  • 20-30 minutes for therapeutic work

  • 10-15 minutes to wrap up the session 

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This routine might go on for about a month, costing roughly $880 for four weekly sessions. But, things in life often pop up between sessions, changing what we talk about and how we do therapy. So, weekly therapy could end up taking a few months ($880 * multiple months) costing more as we go along, without necessarily fixing the problems bothering you right away.

With a Therapy Intensive,

the structure often involves approximately:

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  • 10-15 minute chat to catch up and figure out what we're focusing on 

  • Dive into 1 hr 40 min to 3 hr 30 minutes of deep therapeutic work

  • Followed by another 10-15 minutes to wrap things up

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With this intensive approach, you could tackle one or multiple stressors in just half a day, costing between $1,452-$1859. Plus, since deep therapeutic processing is so effective, you're often getting more benefit than you'd get from traditional therapy sessions.

 

That means you're doing more work in less time, needing fewer therapy sessions overall. You'll start feeling better sooner, and you won't have to keep taking time off work or paying for childcare to make it to your sessions.

Situations where Couples Intensives may not be the right approach: 

If you're uncertain whether intensive therapy is right for you after considering these exclusion points, feel free to reach out to us. We are here to assist you in determining if this therapy format is suitable for you at this time. If it's not, we're also available to guide you in finding other resources for assistance. Please remember, as with any psychotherapy, results may vary and are not guaranteed.

While Intensive Couples Therapy can be incredibly beneficial, there are certain situations where it may not be suitable. If either partner is struggling with active substance abuse, it's important to address these issues before starting therapy.

 

Similarly, if there is ongoing violence or threats within the relationship, seeking immediate assistance from appropriate resources is crucial for safety and support. If there's a genuine fear of serious violence occurring, prioritizing safety and seeking help from professionals trained to handle such situations is paramount.

 

Additionally, if either partner is dealing with untreated major mental illnesses or if there's a current undisclosed affair, it's advisable to address these issues before pursuing therapy. Moreover, if there are any thoughts of self-harm or harming others, it's essential to seek immediate professional help and support outside of couples therapy.

 

For assistance, you can reach out to the Family Violence Info Line at 310-1818 or text 310-1818.

Couples Therapy Intensive Office

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Couples Intensive
  • What are the fees for intensives?
    Intensive therapy services are considered a boutique, specialized service. Fees are reflective of the dedication, effort, and adaptability invested in your journey alongside intentional time with your therapist. Your intensive will foster deep processing and meaningful connections, ensuring every moment is purposefully dedicated to your growth and well-being. Intensives are tailored to maximize value for you as our client, and therefore, fees vary based on your unique plan. As a general estimate, however, you can expect: 1-Day Intensive: Between $1452-$1859 (approx. 5 - 7 hours) 2-Day Intensive: Between $2244-$2717 (approx. 8-10 hours) 3-Day Intensive: Between $3036-$3553 (approx. 11-13 hours) Upon booking, we will reserve your intensive dates for one week. To secure your reservation, we require completion of paperwork in the client portal and a non-refundable deposit equal to half the total cost of your intensive.
  • Will insurance cover any of the costs of a therapy intensive?
    Coverage for intensive therapy services can vary depending on your insurance provider. Many insurance providers offer reimbursement for psychological services, but it's essential to understand the specifics of your policy beforehand. This includes knowing what benefits are available and whether your insurance covers multiple hours of therapy within a single day or week. We direct bill for those who have Alberta Blue Cross or Medavie, but otherwise do not direct bill. We encourage you to reach out to these providers directly to confirm your coverage. Regardless of your insurance provider, you are responsible for the total cost of the intensive services. Rest assured, we'll provide detailed receipts outlining the dates and hours of psychological services, as well as who participated in the sessions. If you need further assistance navigating insurance, we're here to support you every step of the way.
  • What does a therapy intensive include?
    First we will have a 20-30 minute complimentary consult call to ensure good fit, answer any questions you might have, and explain the process. Next we will schedule an intake session (60-90 minutes), where we will prepare for the intensive by learning more about you, co-create goals for the work together, and go over the paperwork. We will then complete the extended sessions together (2-4 hours) based on the schedule we determine. Breaks are important for everyone. This is hard work, and honouring our nervous system's will be an important part of the process. We will work together to determine when breaks are needed. Finally, there will be a closure and integration session (1 hour), which may be on the same day or a different day.
  • What does a typical schedule look like for a therapy intensive?
    The scheduling for your therapy intensive is tailored to accommodate your identified goals. At the time of booking, we'll work together to create a flexible schedule that allows for adjustments as necessary, such as longer breaks if needed. Intake and individual sessions (when working with a couple) may be scheduled on separate days. Here's an general guideline of what to expect: ONE DAY INTENSIVE 9-10am: Intake 10-12pm: Session (may be broken into 2 - 1 hour individual sessions with a couple) 12-1pm: Break 1-3pm: Session 3-4pm: Break 4-5pm: Session TWO DAY INTENSIVE First Day 9-10am: Intake 10-12pm: Session 12-1pm: Break 1-3pm: Session Day Two 10am-12pm: Session 12-2pm: Break 2-4pm: Session This is an example of a schedule which is designed to offer a comprehensive and supportive environment for your therapeutic journey.
  • I like that Off the Beaten Path has a choice of settings, including in the office and outside. Can I incorporate the outdoors during my intensive therapy session?
    Absolutely! In fact, integrating your learning and insights by going for a walk outdoors during the session is a highly effective strategy for getting the most out of your intensive therapy session.
  • Is this an evidence-based or researched approach of therapy?
    Intensive therapy, such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), is firmly grounded in research, as evidenced by several scholarly articles. Mazzoni, Galletti, and Masin (2018) conducted a randomized controlled trial demonstrating the efficacy of intensive EMDR in treating patients with complex trauma symptoms. Similarly, Shapiro and Laliotis (2017) discussed the adaptive information processing model, which underpins EMDR therapy, emphasizing its integrative treatment approach. Additionally, Schubert and Lee (2017) explored the correlation between adult attachment and response to EMDR treatment for PTSD in individuals exposed to childhood trauma. Valiente-Gómez et al. (2014) conducted a systematic literature review highlighting the effectiveness of EMDR beyond PTSD, showcasing its broad applicability. These studies collectively support the empirical basis of intensive therapy approaches like EMDR, providing compelling evidence for its efficacy in addressing various psychological concerns.
  • What happens if I complete a therapy intensive and would like to see what's next?
    Following a therapy intensive, you and your therapist will collaborate to craft a tailored transition plan, which may include continued individual sessions, scheduling more intensives, seeking referrals, or exploring additional services.
  • How do we get started?
    Getting started is designed to be easy and relaxed. We begin with a complimentary 20-30 minute consultation where we can meet and make sure it is a good fit. It's also a chance to explore if an Intensive is the right fit for where you are in your life. If we feel like it's a good match, we'll schedule your Intensive. After that, we'll send over some prep materials for you to complete within a week of booking. It's a smooth and simple process, and we're here to guide you.
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