A couples intensive is a focused, three-hour therapeutic session designed for partners who want to address relationship challenges but have schedules that make weekly therapy difficult. Unlike traditional 50-minute sessions spread over weeks, an intensive allows you to dive deeply into your relationship dynamics, communication patterns, and specific challenges in one extended session. You'll work directly with a specialized couples therapist who creates a customized experience based on your unique needs and goals.

Regular couples therapy typically involves weekly 50-minute sessions over several months. Intensives condense this work into a single three-hour session, making them ideal for couples with demanding schedules, those facing urgent relationship decisions, or partners who prefer focused, immersive experiences. While weekly therapy is beneficial for sustained, long-term change, intensives provide immediate traction on key issues and can jumpstart deeper work. Many couples use an intensive as a catalyst and then follow up with periodic check-ins rather than weekly sessions.

Three therapists at Rouse Relational Wellness offer couples intensives: Colin Fyfe, LMFT, Marjorie Boggs Vazquez, LMFT, and David F. Khalili, LMFT (Clinical Director). All three specialize in working with queer, kinky, polyamorous, and BIPOC communities and bring extensive training in couples therapy modalities including Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and sex therapy approaches.

Before your intensive, your therapist will schedule brief individual phone consultations with each partner (typically 15-20 minutes each). These conversations help your therapist understand your relationship history, current challenges, and what you hope to accomplish.

You'll also complete a comprehensive couples assessment based on over 40 years of research by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, pioneers in relationship science who studied thousands of couples to identify what makes relationships succeed or fail. This assessment examines areas like communication patterns, conflict management, emotional connection, and shared meaning, giving your therapist valuable insights to tailor the intensive to your specific needs.

Couples intensives can address virtually any relationship challenge. Common topics include:

• Communication breakdowns: Learning to express needs and listen without defensiveness

• Conflict patterns: Breaking cycles of criticism, contempt, defensiveness, or stonewalling

• Sexual concerns: Navigating desire discrepancies, exploring interests, rebuilding intimacy after infidelity

• Major life decisions: Whether to have children, how to raise kids, career changes

• Financial stress: How to handle money, split expenses, address different financial values

• Relationship structure: Opening or closing relationships, renegotiating polyamorous agreements, defining boundaries

• Cultural differences: Bridging different backgrounds, identities, family expectations, or religious beliefs

• Trust repair: Healing from betrayals, rebuilding safety and connection

• Life transitions: Marriage, moving in together, relocating, retirement

Your intensive session is divided into several phases designed to create both safety and breakthrough moments:

1. Goal Setting (20-30 minutes): You'll clarify what success looks like for this session and identify your most pressing concerns.

2. Facilitated Conversations (90-120 minutes): Your therapist guides you through structured dialogues that help you understand each other's perspectives, express difficult emotions safely, and identify underlying patterns. You'll practice new communication skills in real-time with coaching and support.

3. Skills Building (30-45 minutes): You'll learn concrete tools and techniques you can use immediately—from conflict de-escalation strategies to connection rituals.

4. Action Planning (15-20 minutes): You'll leave with specific exercises, practices, and a roadmap for continuing the work between sessions or on your own.

Throughout the session, your therapist creates space for each person to share their truth while maintaining a respectful, shame-free environment. Expect moments of discomfort—growth often requires vulnerability—but also breakthroughs, deeper understanding, and renewed hope.

Pricing varies by therapist:

• Colin Fyfe, LMFT: $1,200 for a three-hour intensive

• Marjorie Boggs Vazquez, LMFT: $1,200 for a three-hour intensive

• David F. Khalili, LMFT: $2,000 for a three-hour intensive

All intensives include pre-session individual consultations and the comprehensive couples assessment. Payment is due at the time of booking.

Couples intensives are not covered by insurance as it's considered a relationship service rather than treatment for a mental health diagnosis.

It depends on your goals and circumstances. Some couples find that a single intensive provides the clarity, tools, and momentum they need to continue improving their relationship independently. Others use an intensive as a powerful starting point and schedule periodic follow-up sessions (monthly or quarterly check-ins) to maintain progress.

Your therapist will discuss recommendations during your session, but ultimately you decide what level of ongoing support works for your relationship and schedule.

Intensives can be particularly valuable for couples facing urgent decisions or relationship crises.

The extended time allows for deeper processing than a standard 50-minute session.

However, if there is active domestic violence, severe substance abuse, or one partner has already decided to end the relationship and is not open to repair work, intensive couples therapy may not be appropriate.

During your pre-session consultation, your therapist will assess whether an intensive is the right fit or if individual therapy or other resources would be more helpful.

Absolutely. Rouse Relational Wellness specializes in serving queer, kinky, polyamorous, and BIPOC communities. Our therapists understand the unique dynamics of non-monogamous relationships, the intersections of kink and intimacy, and the complexities of queer partnerships. You won't need to educate your therapist about your relationship structure or identities—you can focus entirely on your relationship goals in a shame-free, affirming environment.

Yes. Intensives can be conducted via secure telehealth for clients anywhere in California or Florida (where our therapists are licensed). In-person intensives are available at our San Francisco office for local clients who prefer face-to-face sessions.

Book a consult call and share a bit about what you’re looking for in your intensive. Our Client Care Coordinator will reach out within 1-2 business days to discuss therapist availability, answer any additional questions, and schedule your pre-session consultations and intensive. You can also call us at (415) 200-2119.

After booking, you'll receive:

• Instructions for completing the couples assessment (allow 30-45 minutes each)

• Scheduling links for your individual pre-session consultations

• A brief preparation guide with reflection questions

The most important preparation is showing up with openness, honesty, and a willingness to be vulnerable. Growth happens when both partners are willing to look at their own contributions to relationship patterns, not just their partner's behavior.