Intensives
Multi-Day Focused Therapy
Give your relationship the focus it deserves.
At The Relationship Center of Hampton Roads, our relationship experts have conducted hundreds of intensives — and no two are alike. Led by doctoral-level, licensed couples specialists with decades of experience, your intensive is designed around your relationship: your history, your patterns, your goals. Your work with us is completely private — no group therapy, no sharing your story with strangers, ever. The goal is simple: resolve what brought you to us, and leave with a clear way forward.
A Dedicated Timespan to Create Change
Take Home Relationship Tools
Is a couples intensive right for you?
Those in acute distress but are seeking reconciliation
Intensives are NOT recommended to couples in crisis or those considering divorce. For those considering divorce, we encourage you to consider our Discernment Counseling services. You can read about this service here.
Intensives are best for couples who are ready to dive in and willing to do the work. It is INTENSE, with specific purposes and goals for each couple.
Clients with restricted access
Ready to Schedule a Couples Therapy Intensive?
Scheduling a couples therapy intensive starts with a free, brief phone consultation with one of our intensive-trained clinicians. We require this before booking — and honestly, it’s as much for your benefit as ours. It ensures the format, the clinician, and the timing are genuinely right for you before you invest in this work.
Intensives are scheduled at least one month in advance and can take place during the week or on a weekend, whichever suits you.
Upon consultation, we’ll determine the focus, timing, length, and pace of your intensive — no two are built alike.
If you can’t travel to us, we may be able to come to you. Select clinicians are available to travel for intensives. Travel charges apply, but for couples who can’t get to one of our offices, it’s a meaningful option. During your consultation, we’ll determine a location that works for everyone involved.
A note for traveling couples: Food and lodging are your responsibility, though we provide light snacks and beverages throughout your intensive. Our Coordinator is happy to assist with travel arrangements, lodging, and restaurant reservations so your time here feels effortless. We handle the details — your focus stays on the deep emotional work you came to do.
Norfolk's East Beach
Norfolk's Waterside
Williamsburg
Old Town Alexandria
What happens during an intensive?
Intensives are structured by the therapist while allowing for break times as needed. Below is a sample of how an intensive is generally structured:
- 9:00am: start time
- 9:00am-12:00pm: assessment, goal setting, overview of remaining time
- 12:00pm-1:30pm: lunch on your own
- 1:30pm-4:30pm: mapping out communication cycle, exploring individual emotional experiences, sharing experiences with one another in new way
- 5:00pm: wrap up for the day
Please note: Intensive schedules are catered to each couple. The schedule above is just an example of what we might do for you.
Theoretical approaches and interventions are tailored to each couple and their unique needs and goals. The following approaches are typically utilized during Intensives:
- Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
- Gottman Method
- Imago Therapy
Rates and insurance for an intensive
Please inquire about rates for Intensives. Note that Intensives are not covered by insurance, nor is it possible to receive reimbursement from insurance companies for these services.