Our Couples Intensive is a concentrated therapy experience designed to help couples make meaningful progress in a shorter period of time. Instead of spreading sessions over months, we dedicate one and a half to three full days to focused, guided work.
This format allows couples to step away from daily distractions and engage deeply in the work of improving communication, rebuilding connection, and restoring stability.
Who Is a Couples Intensive For?
A Couples Intensive may be appropriate if you:
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Feel stuck in recurring conflict
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Struggle with communication breakdowns
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Are recovering from betrayal or broken trust
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Are considering separation and want clarity
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Want to strengthen your relationship proactively
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Prefer making focused progress rather than frequent brief sessions
Our Approach
We use principles from the Gottman Method, a research-based approach grounded in over 40 years of relational science.
During the intensive, we focus on:
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Identifying destructive interaction patterns
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Managing conflict in healthier ways
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Rebuilding trust and emotional safety
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Strengthening friendship and connection
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Developing practical tools you can use immediately
Sessions are structured, interactive, and goal-oriented. This is not just conversation — it is guided therapeutic work.
What to Expect
Before the Intensive
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Initial consultation to determine fit
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Completion of intake forms
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Relationship assessment questionnaires
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Identification of primary goals
During the Intensive
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1.5 to 3 consecutive days of therapy
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Clear session structure with breaks
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Guided exercises and practical interventions
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Individual reflection time when appropriate
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Direct feedback and skill-building
After the Intensive
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Written recommendations
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Practical tools to implement at home
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Optional follow-up sessions (virtual or in-person)
Commitment & Expectations
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We do not charge an upfront fee for our Couples Intensive services. Instead, we operate on a donation-based model and invite couples to contribute according to their means. Our desire is that financial concerns never become a barrier to receiving the support and guidance you need. Donations help sustain the program and allow us to continue serving other couples and families.
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All couples are strongly encouraged to stay at the Holy Family Retreat Center during the intensive, as the privacy of this environment supports deeper engagement and meaningful progress. Couples are responsible for covering the cost of their accommodation and meals during their stay.
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To ensure commitment and preparation for the intensive, a small nonrefundable deposit is required at the time of booking. This deposit supports the maintenance of the retreat space and the provision of therapy materials used during your sessions.
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We ask couples to approach the intensive prepared, present, and fully engaged in the process.
Programs We Offer
Choose the type of support your marriage needs in this season
Designed for couples experiencing specific challenges or communication breakdowns, the 1.5-day intensive targets one to two core issues. This format provides structured assessment, skill-building, and practical tools to help interrupt negative patterns and create progress.
The 2-day intensive allows for more comprehensive exploration of relational patterns, conflict cycles, and trust concerns. Couples engage in guided interventions, structured exercises, and strategic planning to promote meaningful and sustainable change.
The 3-day intensive is ideal for couples facing complex or long-standing challenges. This extended format provides time for deeper assessment, rebuilding emotional safety, repairing trust, and establishing a long-term relational strategy with practical implementation steps.
Meet Your Counselors
Jacob & Dyllis Minang
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20+ years married
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Prepare/Enrich Certified
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Gottman-Trained
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Counseling background
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Leaders of faith-based couple retreats