3-5 Day Private Intensive Retreats for Couples in Crisis

How Are We Different?

1. We do 30 hours of intense couples therapy – literally a year (or more) of therapy in a week (therapy, not education and communication techniques).

2. We use EFT, the gold standard of couples therapy processes, and proven trauma resolution techniques like EMDR.

3. We meet as one couple and one therapist (not a group) and work with each individual’s trauma/neglect history and attachment pattern and with the dysfunctional patterns of interaction that have developed over the years.

Our goal is to have you de-escalated, regulated, talking to, and trusting each other. In Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT), which is our primary model, we call that the beginning of stage two. We want you to have an awareness of your patterns and cycles: your individual personal interactive cycle/s and triggers and your interpersonal, between the two or more of you, cycles and triggers. You will still need to see a regular weekly or bi-weekly therapist for further work and support, AND you will be talking with each other, NOT yelling.

We have an effective “After the Affair” or “Relationship Injury” protocol that works to heal pain and emotional distrust. We know how to handle and disconnect inappropriate emotional connections. We deal with the pain and betrayal.

We are also willing to see each partner for an individual intensive before or after the Couples Intensive. Our Individual Intensives are designed to work with your present and past trauma and neglect. We actively process Trauma, Neglect, Addictive, and Compulsive personal patterns.

Why a Couples Retreat?

Benefits of Couples Therapy Retreats

Couples therapy retreats offer a unique and intensive approach to relationship healing, providing a safe and supportive environment for couples to work through their issues. These retreats are designed to deliver significant progress in a short amount of time through focused therapy sessions. The private and secluded settings of these retreats create a sense of safety and security, allowing couples to open up and share their feelings more freely.

A comprehensive approach is taken, addressing multiple aspects of the relationship, including communication, intimacy, and conflict resolution. Additionally, these retreats offer opportunities to reconnect and rekindle the spark in the relationship through activities and exercises designed to promote bonding and intimacy. The supportive and non-judgmental environment ensures that couples feel comfortable and supported throughout the therapy process, making it an ideal setting for deep and meaningful relationship work.

Types of Retreats

There are several types of couples therapy retreats available, each tailored to meet different needs and preferences. Intensive couples therapy retreats provide a comprehensive and focused approach, often including multiple therapy sessions and activities designed to address various aspects of the relationship. Private couples retreats offer a secluded and intimate setting, allowing couples to work through their issues in a more personalized environment. Couples counseling retreats focus on equipping partners with the tools and skills needed to improve communication and resolve conflicts effectively.

Marriage retreats are specifically designed to strengthen the bond between partners and promote a healthy and fulfilling marriage. For those looking to combine therapy with relaxation, romantic getaways offer a blend of couples therapy and a rejuvenating vacation experience. Each type of retreat provides unique benefits, allowing couples to choose the one that best suits their needs.

Meet Our Therapists

Evaluating Your Relationship

Evaluating your relationship can be a crucial step in determining whether couples therapy is right for you and your partner. Consider asking yourself the following questions: How would you rate your overall satisfaction with your relationship? How often do you and your partner argue, and how do you typically resolve conflicts? How would you describe your communication style, and do you feel heard and understood by your partner?

How would you rate your level of intimacy and emotional connection with your partner? Are there any specific issues or challenges that you and your partner are struggling with, and how are you addressing them? By taking the time to evaluate your relationship and identify areas for improvement, you and your partner can take the first step towards building a stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling relationship. This evaluation can also help you decide if a relationship retreat, combined with couples counseling, is the right step for achieving deeper change and rekindling your connection.

Choosing the Right Retreat

Selecting the perfect couples therapy retreat can feel overwhelming with so many options available. However, considering a few key factors can help you find the retreat that best suits your needs:

1. 1. Therapy Approach: It’s crucial to choose a retreat that aligns with your preferred therapy method. Whether you resonate more with Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) or the Gottman Method, ensuring the retreat uses an approach that fits your relationship’s needs will make the therapy sessions more effective and tailored to your situation.

1. 1. Retreat Format: Decide whether a private couples retreat or a group retreat is more suitable for you. Private retreats offer a more personalized and intimate experience, allowing for focused attention on your relationship. On the other hand, group retreats provide the opportunity to connect with other couples, which can offer additional perspectives and support.

1. 1. Location: The retreat’s location can significantly impact your experience. Some couples may prefer a serene, nature-filled environment to escape daily stressors, while others might find a retreat in a bustling city more convenient and stimulating. Consider what setting will help you and your partner relax and open up.

1. 1. Therapist Credentials: Research the credentials and experience of the therapists leading the retreat. Ensure they have a strong background in couples therapy and a good reputation. Experienced therapists can provide deeper insights and more effective strategies for improving your relationship.

1. 1. Reviews and Testimonials: Reading reviews and testimonials from previous participants can provide valuable insights into the retreat’s effectiveness and overall experience. Look for feedback on the therapists, the retreat environment, and the outcomes achieved by other couples.

1. Cost and Inclusions: Compare the costs of different retreats and what is included in the package. Some retreats may offer additional activities or amenities, such as yoga or meditation classes, which can enhance your overall experience. Ensure the retreat fits within your budget while providing the necessary support and activities to benefit your relationship.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a couples therapy retreat that offers the right environment and support for you and your partner to work on your relationship.

Over 40 Years Of Experience Healing Relationships

We all have the need to feel valued, understood and loved by our partner. But problems can arise, even in the best of relationships. When the ease and connection in our relationship is compromised, it can feel like our world is being turned upside down. But fortunately, there is hope. Even if your relationship is in turmoil, it is entirely possible to recapture the powerful connection you once shared, no matter how serious the current challenges are.

An Affair Of The Heart specializes in private intensive couples retreats that get right to the heart of the problem, producing significant progress in days, not years.

Our step-by-step, comprehensive and predictable process is based on over 40 years of experience in solution building to help rebuild relationships on a foundation of trust, communication and love. Our goal is to reestablish the ease and serenity that you shared with your partner so that you can move forward together.

We have been continuously inspired by countless stories of reconnection and reconciliation that have occurred over the years and are so excited to share this powerful work with you.

Why a Couples Retreat?

What Kind of Problems Can Be Solved in a Retreat?

Every couple is unique in how they connect to one another and the issues they face in their relationship. We have worked with couples facing all sorts of problems and found that all can be healed, no matter how drastic, provided that both partners adopt a solution focused approach and are motivated to do the work.

Emotionally focused therapy is often utilized in these retreats to help couples address and heal from deep-seated emotional issues. A couples intensive can be particularly effective in this setting, offering a focused and immersive approach to tackle underlying problems in a short period, often over a weekend.

Below are some problems that can be addressed during a married couples retreat much more quickly and effectively than in weekly marriage counseling sessions:

• Contemplating divorce: Most couples that come to a retreat have been in a state of distress for quite some time. Often one or both partners have already contemplated divorce. It is imperative that couples in this situation address their core issues immediately, or else divorce may be the inevitable conclusion. Weekly family & couple therapy services simply do not provide enough time or depth to work into the bulk of the resentment, distrust and attachment issues faced by couples in a situation this emotionally precarious. A retreat provides a safe and supportive environment where couples have the opportunity to unpack all the aspects of their relationship that are causing them to suffer, transforming their distrust into a framework of communication and understanding and restoring their faith and trust in one another.
• Going through an affair: Often couples come to the retreat as a result of newly discovered infidelity, or an old affair that has not been properly healed yet. An affair is a powerful act of betrayal and can instantly thrust a relationship into serious emotional turmoil, destroying the trust and safety that couples feel towards one another. Such a deep injustice can be one of the most challenging issues to come back from. A retreat gives each partner the time they need to share their side of the story, go deep into the emotional impact that the affair has had on them and to take the necessary steps to rebuild broken trust and move forward with renewed vows.
• Problems with emotional and sexual intimacy: Intimacy can degrade over time as poor communication and old relationship wounds are left unhealed. As partners begin to feel emotionally and sexually distant from one another, physical attraction often suffers as well. Distress at the lack of connection can eventually lead to complacency as each partner feels as though their efforts are in vain, further increasing the negative cycle and sense of disconnection. A retreat gives couples the opportunity to heal old relationship wounds, reestablish trust and intimacy and to learn tools they can use to effectively navigate future issues before they affect the foundation of the relationship.
• Empty nest syndrome or living like roommates: In long-term relationships, there is a tendency for partners to take each other for granted. This often has to do with responsibilities and stressors outside of the relationship; e.g. children, work-related stress, etc. After such a long time of neglecting their emotional connection, the couple may end up feeling more like roommates than partners. This may persist for some time but often comes to a head with a major life change, like children leaving home for college, or one or both of the spouses retiring. A retreat goes beyond couples therapy to provide the opportunity for couples to reestablish why they are together and to remember why they began their relationship in the first place, rekindling lost passion and developing a renewed sense of connectedness with a new solution focused approach.
• Mid-life crisis or major life changes: A mid-life crisis can often trigger turmoil in a relationship, as one or both partners reevaluate the premise of their connection and the meaning they derive from their life. A crisis can occur when somebody hits certain age milestones, loses their longtime career or retires, sending them into a deep cycle of questioning and despair. A retreat gives a couple the opportunity to deeply analyze the confusion and disconnection generated by such large life changes, develop important coping skills for the shifts that are happening and to reaffirm their decision to stay together and continue building their relationship.
• Pre-marital issues or fine tuning your connection: It’s easy to fall in love, but often quite challenging to stay that way. It takes emotional intelligence, well-established communication skills and a robust set of tools to address all of the ups and downs that occur over the course of a relationship. Proactive couples will choose to take an engaged couples retreat to address these issues before they become a larger problem, often before they take the plunge into marriage or soon after to ensure that the relationship stays on track.

What Cannot Be Solved?

There are three issues that we call the Three A's that make it impossible for us to move forward:

• Abuse: The core of this work is creating a foundation of trust. Abuse, including physical, emotional and sexual, completely destroys trust between partners and makes it impossible to safely open up to one another. Couples that attend the retreat cannot be involved in a cycle of active abuse.
• Active Addiction: Active addiction is a compulsive behavior that interferes with the relationship. It has equally deleterious effects on the trust shared by partners. It is recommended that people who are suffering from active addition should seek the support of a detox center or substance abuse counselor before attending a couples retreat.
• An Active Affair: A huge part of this work is the willingness of partners to engage in the therapeutic process together. The goal is to reestablish trust and connection and deepen your bond. During an active affair, your loyalties and connection have been severed, leaving your partner vulnerable. This scenario makes it nearly impossible to move forward with meaningful work until the affair has been ended.

Seeking a Solo Intensive Retreat?

Head to Intensive Therapy Retreats to learn about individual retreats for survivors of PTSD, trauma, child and sexual abuse.