What is a Couples Intensive?

A couples intensive is an increase in the length of time spent with the counselor and couple. This is a great opportunity for the following situations:

  • Couples who want to kick start their journey so the beginning phase of assessment does not occur over multiple weeks.
  • Couples who feel like an hour is never enough time to do the work they want to within a session.
  • Couples who have significant scheduling difficulty and would prefer to do multiple hours in a day versus navigating a busy schedule with work, kids, school, etc.
  • Couples who feel like they need to make progress as quickly as possible.

How long is a Couples Intensive and what is the cost?

Intensives can be done in the following increments:

$500: 4 hours (8-12pm, 9-1pm )

$1000: 6 hours (9-12pm, 1-4pm)

$2000: 2 days (Two Saturdays in a row, two Sundays in a row, Saturday+Sunday, 8-4pm or 9-5pm)

$2,500: 2.5 days (Friday night, Saturday, Sunday)

To learn more about what can be accomplished in these increments, feel free to schedule a 15 minute phone consultation.

Where will the Couples Intensive occur?

The intensives are offered at all of our office locations including Woodstock, Lake in the Hills, or Elgin, IL. We do not offer couples intensives online.

If you are coming from out of town, we recommend staying in our Woodstock location. Please consider visiting Real Woodstock to learn more about what the town has to offer for lodging, amenities, restaurants, and entertainment. Woodstock offers a historic town square with access to multiple restaurants, shops, a chocolate bar, movie theater, the Opera House, and a farmer’s market. Woodstock is known for it’s charm, arts and music, and as the location for the film Groundhogs Day, featuring Bill Murray.

Will insurance cover this?

Unfortunately, insurance does not cover this type of service. While we are in network with many insurances and do accept insurance for regular one hour sessions, we are unable to do so with an intensive.

Who offers this service?

Rebecca Esser MA LCPC

I have spent almost 10 years helping couples develop more satisfying relationships. I provide gender, neurodiverse, LGBTQIA and non-traditional relationship affirming therapy. I utilize my training and experience in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Attachment Theory, Sex Therapy and The Gottman Method, a research based approach to improving relationships. I’ve helped couples who have been impacted by affairs or betrayals of any kind. I have specialized training and experience in working with couples who are part of the LGBTQIA community, and those who are living in, or wanting to explore non-traditional relationships such as: polyamory, open-relationships, swinging, kink, BDSM.

Rick Landre

As someone who has gone through various phases of life, I can say that having a successful partnership in life has been one of my greatest goals. With that said, no one really teaches us how to do that. Couples intensives are a great way to reconnect, learn better communication skills, and make some headway on important issues that you may face in your relationship. In addition to my MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, I have been trained in the evidenced-based approach called The Gottman Method. Prior to my career as a therapist, I was a police offer and I have a unique understanding of the challenges first responders may experience in their relationships. In my free time, I love to work on my hobby farm, go sailing, and spend time with my wife and our children. 

Lindsay Keisman

I love helping couples build new patterns to find fresh new ways of communicating, connecting, and resolving the issues that come up again and again. I have extensive training in the couples counseling approach called The Gottman Method, and have completed training in Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy. I have worked in the mental health and addiction field for 18 years, and have additional expertise in working with entrepreneurs, first responders, people with ADHD, people impacted by trauma, and couples with busy families. Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband, three kids, and playing cards with my extended family. 

If you are ready to begin the conversation, please complete this form and we will get back to you