Creating time for WE…
Couples of all shapes and varieties will benefit from taking a deep dive into the dynamic of “We.”
I always joke with clients that there is another person in the room, and that’s The Relationship. It’s not “me vs. you,” it’s “me, you, AND the relationship we create together.”
We can work through our stuff and still not have intentionality around our relationship. Couples Intensives seek to take relationship dynamics to the next level.
Not your standard Couples Therapy approach…
Typical couples therapy settings involve mental gymnastics to figure out a time that works in everyone’s workweek to squeeze in a 53-minute Ping-pong game of “he said, she said.”
It can take a therapist weeks (if you last that long) to understand each client and the interplay (relationship) between them.
What I want for your relationship is true change – not a lot of effort without a lot of results.
Getting you to the next level…
DAY ONE: First, we take inventory. Of you, your partner, and the health of the relationship. That can include filling out interest surveys, exploring personality styles, documenting relationship hiccups, and recounting significant milestones and memories. This is a written and verbal account of your perspective on what’s going on.
Next, I meet each of you separately and as a pair, making any recommendations during individual time, as needed. (For example, encouraging a client with an intrusive sexual abuse past to seek individual services to clear the trauma, etc.) Then, we develop an individualized plan based on your specific relationship dynamics, existing and desired skill sets, and goals. You get homework that night.
DAY TWO: Implementation of the core of the program. The night before, we developed a plan to take a deep dive look at the underpinnings of the relationship. Here is where we take it to the next level. Your trajectory that day may be top-down (cognitive), bottom-up (somatic), or lateral (mindfulness-based). Often, it’s a juicy combination of all three.
You have exercises to complete that will take place in a clinical setting and exercises that you and your partner will explore alone and reflect on in a therapeutic setting later. We re-evaluate and fine-tune several times throughout the day to ensure your experience matches your desired internal flow. You may be much more open to your homework this night.
DAY THREE: Often, there’s a settling that occurs on day three. Likely, you’ve developed *a bit* more trust than when you started. This is time to tie up loose ends or deepen with practices that the couple found especially useful/beneficial.
Then, there’s reintegration and “how do we take it from here.” There is discussion on augmentation and how to flourish moving forward. The couple ends with a written document, sealing whatever it is they wish to seal for each other and the health of the relationship. We often schedule a follow-up meeting in one – three months, as desired after the intensive to check in, touch base, and evaluate progress.
Here are some of the logistics…
Couples Intensives meet Friday-Sunday in a lodge-style setting (location disclosed at booking).
Therapy hours include Friday 5:00 pm-8:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Sunday 9:00 am-12:00 pm, with a break Saturday 12-1 for lunch.
Couples Intensives are designed so that couples stay onsite for the duration of the weekend to benefit fully from the experience.
Ready to say yes to deepening and strengthening your relationship?
You’re just a phone call away. Call (402) 937-0027 for a free, complimentary 15- to 20-minute consultation to answer any additional questions and see if we’re a great fit.
Alternatively, feel free to drop me an email at lauren@laurenpick.com, and we’ll take it from there.
And yes, your relationship IS worth it.