All Intensives

Marriage Intensives

A Marriage Intensive is a concentrated block of couples therapy — a half-day, full day, or two-day format — designed to make significant progress on your relationship without waiting weeks between sessions. Instead of meeting for 50 minutes once a week, you get extended, uninterrupted time to go deep on what’s actually keeping you stuck.

How It Works

A weekend workshop won’t fix a marriage overnight — and a single 50-minute session a week isn’t always enough to get you unstuck. A Marriage Intensive gives you dedicated, uninterrupted time to work on what actually matters, with a clear process before, during, and after. Here is what to expect:

Step 1

Interest Form

The first step is simple: let us know you’re interested by completing our Interest form. It’s ok if you aren’t 100% sure yet, you’ll have an opportunity ask any questions before committing.

Step 2

Consultation Call

Next, we’ll schedule a short call — just 15-30 minutes — to make sure an intensive is the right fit for where you are right now. This is a two way conversation: you’ll get your questions answered, and we’ll make sure this format matches your needs and goals. If for any reason an intensive isn’t the right next step for you, we’ll tell you honestly and help you think through alternatives.

Step 3

Pre-Intensive Forms

Before you ever sit down with us, you’ll complete a set of guided forms designed to help tell your story — your history as a couple, the patterns you’re stuck in, and what you’re hoping will be different.

This isn’t paperwork for paperwork’s sake: it means we walk into your intensive already understanding your story, so none of your time together is spent catching us up. Every hour of your intensive goes toward the work itself.

These will need to be completed 2 weeks prior to your scheduled intensive.

Step 4

The Intensive

This is the heart of the process. Unlike a weekly session that ends just as you’re getting somewhere, an intensive gives real time to slow down, go deep, and work through what’s been keeping you stuck — without a clock cutting things short.

Step 5

Resources, Tools & Homework

Within a few days after your intensive, you’ll receive a personalized follow-up plan — resources, tools, and specific homework tailored to the work we did together. This isn’t a generic handout; it’s built around your actual conversation and what you’ll need to keep the progress going once you’re back in the rhythm of daily life.

Step 6

Two-Week Follow-Up Call

About two weeks after your intensive, we’ll reconnect for a follow-up call. We’ll check in on how the homework is landing, troubleshoot anything that’s come up, and help you adjust course if needed. You won’t finish your intensive and simply be on your own to figure out the rest.

Step 7

Continuing the Work, If You'd Like To

Some couples complete an intensive and feel ready to move forward on their own. Others want to keep building momentum. If that’s you, you’re welcome to continue with regular marriage counseling, or one of you can begin individual counseling — whichever fits where you are next.

Is This Right For Us?

An intensive tends to be a great fit for couples who:

Feel stuck and haven't been able to gain traction in weekly sessions
Are facing a decision point and can't wait weeks for progress
Have demanding schedules and need concentrated time rather than an ongoing weekly commitment
Want a "tune-up" before a major life transition — a new baby, retirement, an empty nest

Pricing

Standard

$2500

1 day, 6 hrs,
with lunch break

One focused day of joint work.

Extended

$3500

1 day, 8-9 hrs,
with lunch break

Everything in Standard, plus individual time with each spouse during the intensive.

Two-DAY

$4500

2 days, 12 hours,
overnight gap

Everything in Extended, with a night in between to sit with day one before returning for day two.

Not sure which format would be best for you?

We’re happy to talk through the options with you.

About Phil

Phil Lewis, MA, LCMHC

Dover Site Director, Senior Clinician

While originally from Massachusetts, Phil has resided in the seacoast area for the last 15 years. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire in 2013 and his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. He is also working towards his national certification through the National Board of Certified Counselors. Phil worked as a youth pastor at Durham Evangelical Church for seven years prior to transitioning into the mental health field. While he enjoys working with people from all backgrounds, his main focus is helping teens and young adults, couples, families, and men. His hope is that those he works with will experience healing, transformation, and encouragement to become all they were created to be and experience all they were made to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Marriage Intensive

How is this different from regular weekly counseling?

Weekly counseling is well-suited to ongoing support and gradual change over months. An intensive is built for couples who need focused momentum — either because they’re in crisis and can’t wait for progress, or because they’ve plateaued in weekly sessions and need concentrated time to break through. Many couples use an intensive and continue with regular counseling afterward; it’s not necessarily one or the other.

Is one day (or even two) really enough to make a difference?

An intensive won’t resolve every issue in your marriage permanently — no single format does that. What it can do is create real clarity and momentum: identifying the patterns driving your conflict, working through a specific issue in depth, and leaving with concrete tools and a plan, all without the stop-and-start of weekly sessions. We’re upfront that an intensive is a powerful start or reset, not a lifetime guarantee — which is why we build in a follow-up call and the option to continue counseling afterward.

What actually happens during the intensive?

Before your intensive, you’ll complete guided pre-intensive forms so we already understand your history and concerns. The intensive itself is spent in structured joint work — and, depending on your tier, individual sessions with each spouse — focused on your specific goals. You’ll have a break built in (including a lunch break on longer formats). Afterward, you’ll receive a personalized packet of resources and homework, and we’ll reconnect two weeks later for a follow-up call.

What happens after the intensive?

Within a few days, you’ll receive a personalized packet of resources and homework based on the work we did together. Two weeks later, we’ll have a follow-up call to check in on how things are going and troubleshoot anything that’s come up. From there, you’re welcome to continue with regular couples counseling, or one of you can begin individual counseling — or you may feel ready to move forward on your own.

Do you accept insurance?

These sessions are offered at self-pay only. Insurance plans typically do not cover marriage intensives, as they’re considered a specialized, out-of-network format rather than standard outpatient therapy.

Is there a deposit or cancellation policy?

Yes. A 50% deposit is due at the time of booking to reserve your intensive date. If helpful, we’re happy to work with you on a payment plan for the remaining balance.

If you need to cancel at least two weeks before your scheduled intensive, your deposit can be transferred toward a rescheduled date. For cancellations within two weeks of the intensive, or in the event of a no-show, the deposit will be retained to cover the time reserved for your intensive.

Can faith be part of our intensive?

Yes — if you’d like, we can integrate a Christian perspective throughout your time together, including prayer and Scripture alongside the clinical work. This is entirely optional and led by what you’re comfortable with; we’ll talk.

What if only one of us wants to do this?

It’s common for one spouse to be more hesitant than the other. The consultation call is a good place to talk through those concerns honestly — we’re not going to pressure anyone into a process they’re not ready for, and in some cases starting with individual sessions for the hesitant spouse makes more sense before an intensive.

Is an intensive appropriate if there's been abuse, or if we're in immediate crisis?

If there is active abuse, domestic violence, or an immediate safety concern, an intensive format is not the appropriate first step. Please reach out so we can talk through what kind of support fits your situation — safety comes first, and we’ll help point you toward the right resources.