MARATHON COUPLES THERAPY
The Benefits of Marathon Couples Counseling
Marathon Couples Therapy is a dynamic alternative to traditional weekly sessions in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. It’s a condensed and focused approach to marriage counseling that will provide you with the time you need to address specific issues and get your relationship back on track. In this powerful counseling format, you’ll meet with your therapist for either one day or two consecutive days, depending on your needs.
Couples that participate in Marathon Couples Therapy receive a scientific evaluation of their relationship after completing the Gottman Relationship Checkup Questionnaire. The comprehensive relationship assessment will pinpoint the areas in which you can achieve the greatest growth so you can move forward to a place of strength, reconnection, and hope. Couples will also participate in the groundbreaking video assessment and rating system, called the Gottman Love Lab.
You will have time to talk in-depth about the struggles and challenges of the relationship that simply cannot happen in the traditional style of couples counseling. There is time to process past injuries that have never healed, and time to understand how these injuries have impacted the relationship. There is time to learn and practice new communication skills to help you have more productive conversations. There’s time to rebuild.
Your therapist will provide an environment of safety for both partners. You will be treated with dignity and respect, without judgment, throughout the process. Couples who have experienced this form of counseling usually describe it as impactful and transformative.
Marathon Couples Therapy offers some practical benefits as well. It’s a good fit for couples who want intensive counseling, but don’t live in the vicinity of a trained Gottman Therapist. It’s also a good fit for couples whose schedules do not allow for them to go to weekly counseling sessions. And finally, it’s a great fit for couples who need to get help immediately.
It is important, however, that you also understand the risks involved. Despite the “nuts and bolts” approach of this method, the Marathon Couples Therapy format may move you more quickly and intensely into the areas of difficulty to be addressed. Therefore, you and/or your partner may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, loneliness, and helplessness. Your counseling may also involve recalling unpleasant aspects of your history together and/or individually.
Upon completion of the counseling, your therapist may recommend that Marathon Couples Therapy be followed by couples counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN IS MARATHON COUPLES THERAPY NOT SUITABLE?
Should you have any questions regarding the following issues, please contact Pathways to Wellness for clarification about whether Marathon Therapy is suitable for your situation. These issues are:
If there is active alcohol and/or drug addiction on the part of either or both partners, from either partner’s perspective
If there is serious violence in your relationship, threats by one or both partners that serious violence might occur, or fear of such serious violence on the part of one or both partners
If either partner currently has an untreated major mental illness (schizophrenia, recurrent psychotic depression, bipolar/manic- depressive illness, or severe anxiety.) Note: This does not include past, successfully treated psychotic episodes (e.g. post-partum depression with psychosis)
If there is an undisclosed, current affair that you are not willing to disclose (such secrets predict marital counseling failure)
If either partner is currently experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or has a history of serious harm inflicted on him/herself or another person
What Are the Advantages of Marathon Couples Therapy over Weekly Couples Therapy?
Either partner may feel they need a break from traditional couple’s counseling
Scheduling issues/childcare/work, etc. may make it prohibitive to come weekly on a regular basis
Couples may be looking for a Retreat/Workshop feel to take advantage of quality time with your partner in beautiful Costa Mesa and Orange County beaches
Couples may have a very specific problem or concern that they want to dive into and get solutions or resolution immediately
There may be no Gottman Method Couples therapist near you for consistent, weekly counseling
You may want to “kick-start” the counseling process; planning to continue Gottman Method Couples Therapy after the marathon.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
There are a range of price options for Marathon Therapy:
1-Day Premarital Intensive Package $1200
6 hours of skill-building to learn how to prevent future relationship issues
A take home package of tools and supplemental material
1-Day Intensive Therapy Package $1500
3-Hour Assessment Package (which included the Gottman Relationship Checkup Summary, Individual Interviews)
3 hours of intensive counseling
A take home package of tools and supplemental material
The private one-day marriage intensive is geared for couples who are stuck in continual conflict patterns and struggle to solve problems and communicate – but are also still fully committed to the marriage.
2-Day Intensive Therapy Package $3,000
3-Hour Assessment Package (which included the Gottman Relationship Checkup Summary, Individual Interviews)
9 hours of intensive counseling
A take home package of tools and supplemental material
Intended for couples with moderate to severe relationship issues. Your marriage may be headed for separation or divorce, or suffering from an affair, or addictions, or years of betrayals of trust which has led to anger and resentments. Couples who feel hopeless can find healing and their way back to each other through forgiveness.
An additional half day can be added to this package for $600
A deposit of 50% is required at the time of scheduling and the final 50% will be processed at the time of your appointment. Payment arrangements are made with our Office Manager, Holly Kuri. Credit card or PayPal payment can be completed online or over the phone.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations can be made up to 1 week prior to your scheduled appointment with a $500 cancellation fee. Deposits are non-refundable within 30 days. Your session can be rescheduled one time, however the new date must be within 1 month of your original date.
How Does It Work?
Before you arrive:
Once a marathon session is booked, the process starts immediately with each partner completing the confidential online Gottman Relationship Checkup Questionnaire, and the groundbreaking Gottman Love Lab video evaluation.
During the intensive:
When you arrive for Day 1 of the intensive, you start with the 3-hour Relationship Assessment. You both will meet with your therapist to talk about the history of your relationship, detailing the twists and turns that helped you arrive at the current state of concern. Your therapist will then see you each individually. After the lunch break, he/she will share all that they have learned in your couples meeting, relationship questionnaire and Love Lab video, and individual sessions to talk with you about your relationship strengths and areas of concern. He/She will discuss the goals for counseling and explain the process of Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Once all are in agreement, you dive right into the therapeutic process, working to achieve those intentions.
Most marathon counseling sessions are scheduled for 6 hours each day. You will spend 3 hours in the morning with your therapist and another 3 hours after lunch with short breaks during the 3-hour blocks. During counseling you can expect to gain new skills and tools to build your friendship, manage conflict and create shared meaning. You will work to repair regrettable incidents and have an opportunity to break through previously unsolvable gridlocked issues.
After you attend:
After the inclusion of the intensive counseling sessions, you will be scheduled for a 30- minute follow-up call within 60-days to check-in and assure the benefits are maintained.
How do I get started?
Contact holly@pathways2wellness.com to schedule your phone interview and Q/A.
You Can Enjoy A Healthy Relationship
We invite you to call us at 714-432-9856 today to set up an appointment. In addition to couples counseling for opposite sex partners, we offer same sex couples counseling and marriage counseling.
