Enhance Your Relationship

Why choose couple intensive therapy?

One of the reasons couples get stuck in perpetual conflict is simply a lack of conflict management skills and misattunement. We are often more than willing to train for marathons, seek education to further our careers, or go to a financial adviser to guide us in our investments.  But, we go into relationships and long term partnership with virtually no training or tools to use when the inevitable conflict arises. This hyper focused intensives allows partners to dig into the issues and feel progress and growth in a short amount of time.

Who can benefit from this program?

• Those choosing to commit.
• Couples who live together or about to move in together.
• Pre-engaged & Premarital.
• Everyone from young lovers to seniors.
• Partners that may not have time for weekly sessions.
• Those who wish to enhance a good relationship.
• Those needing better conflict management tools.
• Couples willing to work hard on their relationship.
• Partners who feel stuck in a perpetual problem or conflict.

This option is also well suited for partners across the sexual and gender spectrum, as well as those in polyamorous, ethical non-monogamous, or kinky dynamics.

This intensive offer is inappropriate for couples who are experiencing:

• Severe relationship distress.
• Emotional abuse.
• Domestic violence.
• Active addictions (alcohol, drug, sexual, gambling, etc.).
• Serious mental health problems in one or both partners.

What will you gain from this program?

While the results of the intensive vary from couple to couple, in this intensive program you will have the opportunity to:

• Build proven tools to help in your relationship.
• Improve your friendship, fondness, and admiration for each other.
• Enhance romance and intimacy.
• Gain insight into your partner’s internal world
• Feel understood by your partners.
• Equip you with conflict management skills.
• Understand and work on perpetual and solvable problems (and know the difference).
• Create shared meaning for a lifetime together.
• Maintain emotional gains in your relationship.

Whether it is sex and intimacy, working through past trauma, building a strong foundation for a new relationship, or communication issues, we co-create a treatment plan to target your therapeutic and relationship goals.

What to expect?

The process begins with comprehensive assessments highlighting your strengths and needs, assessing the main issue and the reason why you may be seeking couple therapy. Before the first meeting the clinician will send each partner assessment forms to fill out individually and send back. This will help the clinician map up strengths and areas of misattunement, leading to a treatment plan.

Most of the assessments and interventions used are based on couple therapy model from The Gottman Institute, a Seattle-based, internationally-renowned organization dedicated to building strong relationships and repairing troubled ones. Shanna is trained in Gottman Method Couple Therapy, Level III. Other modalities include sex therapy interventions, mindfulness, and other therapeutic modalities rooted in compassion, curiosity, and care.

Much of the work focuses on conflict management skills, communication and compromise, and learning how to process challenges and repair regrettable incidents.

How does it look like?

The intensive takes place over two Sundays, a few weeks apart, in person, in the clinic office in Leeds, MA. Each Sunday would include a total of 5 clinical hours, broken up to include short breaks and lunch (it works out to be roughly 9am-3:30pm).

The first Sunday will include: joint initial intake session, two shorter individual intake sessions, and a treatment planning session to build a comprehensive understanding of your needs and strengths. The day will culminate with a longer session that includes specific interventions for the primary need(s). The partners will be given homework/exercises to practice and implement during the weeks until we meet next.

The second Sunday will start with a check-in session for how the work went during our time apart, sharing any significant insights and concerns. This day will include about four 60-90 minutes sessions with specific interventions that meet your assessed needs and concerns that arise. 

A third Sunday would be recommended based on need and progress. Yearly tune ups and periodic check-ins are available as well.

Cost of services

Insurance health plans do not cover intensive work so this service is private pay only.

Total cost is $1,800 (couple sessions are $180 an hour, with a total of 10 clinical hours)

Some sliding scales spots available.

Payable by card or cash in two payments, due and payable at the end of each Sunday session.

Discount available if the partners wish to schedule a third Sunday session.

FSA/HSA cards accepted. Super bills can be furnished for insurance reimbursement (Please check with your insurance to see if they would accept this)

Congratulate yourself for taking time to begin or continue your journey of a deep and loving partnership. 

Please email Shanna Fishel shanna@yougotchoices.com to schedule brief and free consult phone call to assess fit, or if you have any questions about the intensive.