Couples Intensives
I support couples struggling to heal from gridlocked issues, and to develop and deepen their emotional and physical intimacy. Intensives provide a more rapid and in-depth approach to couples work, offering months worth of couples therapy in 2-3 days.
Intensives are particularly supportive for couples who:
Feel stuck in their negative patterns, or gridlocked over the same issues
Are healing from a betrayal, such as an affair
Are discerning whether or not to separate
Have gone through a major recent transition that needs support, such as becoming empty nesters, or bringing home a baby
Struggle to find childcare, or dedicated time off of work for weekly therapy
Advanced Couples Therapy Training
Couples therapy is very different from individual therapy, and the same skills that work for individual therapy, do not necessarily work for couples. Any therapist can say they do couples therapy, but in fact, there are highly skilled treatments that offer the best success rates.
Ariel Shumaker, MPH/LCSW, has extensively trained in some of these approaches, including the Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and the Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT). She has also begun to train in a newer model, called Relational Life Therapy (RLT). She has over 16 years of working with couples, and brings that training and experience into her work.
Ariel also has extensive experience working with a diverse range of couples, including those in the poly and kink community, neurodivergent couples, clients in the LGBTQI community, and interracial couples.
Options for Intensives
One Day
Most appropriate for couples who may have a few minor issues to address, or help moving through one “gridlocked” problem.
$2500
(Equity/Sliding Scale Slot: $1000-2500 Pay What You Can)
Includes:
2 hour-long individual sessions (in person or by telehealth) prior to the intensive, to understand more about what each person is bringing to the relationship, including family of origin, attachment styles, and any history of trauma.
All initial assessment paperwork (Gottman Connect assessments)
One day intensive, from 9-4, with a 2 hour break for lunch (not included)
Worksheets to take home
One session with couple (in person or telehealth) approximately one month post intensive to check-in
Two Day
Most appropriate for couples who are experiencing more moderate, or even severe issues, and need a bit more intensive space.
$4500
(Equity/Sliding Scale Slot: $3000-4500 Pay What You Can)
Includes:
2 hour-long individual sessions (in person or by telehealth) prior to the intensive, to understand more about what each person is bringing to the relationship, including family of origin, attachment styles, and any history of trauma.
All initial assessment paperwork (Gottman Connect assessments)
Two day intensive, each day from 9-4, with a 2 hour break for lunch (not included)
Worksheets to take home, homework between sessions
One session with couple (in person or telehealth) approximately one month post intensive to check-in
Three Day
Most appropriate for couples who are facing severe issues, such as a major betrayal or affair, and/or are even contemplating separation or divorce.
$6000
(Equity/Sliding Scale Slot: $4000-6000 Pay What You Can)
Includes:
2 hour-long individual sessions (in person or by telehealth) prior to the intensive, to understand more about what each person is bringing to the relationship, including family of origin, attachment styles, and any history of trauma.
All initial assessment paperwork (Gottman Connect assessments)
Three day intensive, each day from 9-4, with a 2 hour break for lunch (not included)
Worksheets to take home, homework between sessions
One session with couple (in person or telehealth) approximately one month post intensive to check-in
Let’s work together
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!