Description of Couples Weekend Intensives

 

Couples weekend intensives are for any couple who wants to work on their relationship without having to “start and stop.” Couples who join us for an intensive tend to fall into one or more of these categories:

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• Have complicated schedules that make it difficult to schedule weekly therapy

• Are in the midst of a crisis—for example, they are experiencing high conflict or recently suffered a significant loss or trauma

• Have a big decision that needs to be made and don’t have months to figure it out

• Have neglected their relationship for many years and realize they need to jump-start it in a big way​

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How Intensives Work

 

Couples weekend intensives are a focused, condensed form of couples counselling that occur over a period of two to three consecutive days, usually a weekend, using the Couples Development Method.

Couples weekend intensives allow couples to dive deeply into their issues without the frustration of the “start and stop” feeling of weekly sessions.

In general, Jolyn will meet with the couple for six hours each day, with breaks built in for lunch, reflection, and individualized activities.

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Where Are Intensives Held?

 

Jolyn offers intensives in person and online. In-person intensives are located at your choice of our Evergreen offices, either Niverville or Winnipeg. Online intensives are done via a secure platform.

Couples therapists have found that in-person intensives are the most impactful, but we recognize that there are many reasons online might make more sense for you and your relationship and believe they also make a big difference in the relationship.

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When Do Intensives Take Place?

 

Intensive couples therapy is often scheduled over a weekend. The two intensives Jolyn is currently offering are going to be held on Fridays/Saturdays. 

 

Spring 2026 Dates:

May 29-30
June 12-13

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About Jolyn

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Jolyn has been trained by Ellyn Bader in the Couples Development Model, and continues to be active in the Couples Development community, both in receiving supervision and in providing contribution. She finds the Couples Development approach highly effective, as it encompasses both individual growth and the nurturing of the couple’s bond and development. Jolyn is further informed by the Gottmann method and by Emotionally Focused Therapy. Jolyn approaches couples counselling from an authentic, lived out experience, having been married, widowed, and re-married.

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Preparation for the Intensive Session

 

Discuss with your partner:
Prior to scheduling an intensive, discuss with your partner your desire to partake in intensive couples therapy. Talk about the pros and cons of doing an intensive together and your goals.

 

Schedule:
Once you’ve decided together that you’re interested, schedule a consultation by emailing evergreen.therapy@gmail.com. Over a 15 minute interaction, you and Jolyn can discuss your reasons for wanting to attend couples therapy as well as any further questions you may have, and then, if it feels like a good fit, we can schedule the intensive sessions.

 

Directions:

You’ll receive directions for getting to the office as well as any other instructions for our appointment.

 

Payment:
In order to hold the appointment, Jolyn will take a deposit of $300. This deposit must be paid prior to holding the appointment and will be applied to the total cost of your session. Your payment in full will be taken 24 hours prior to your session.

 

The rate for the intensive is $1,200 (discount price, regular price is $1,800).

 

Assessment:
Prior to your intensive session, you will complete a thorough written assessment. This assessment is designed to provide me with insight into your relationship and also into each person individually. During the first day of the intensive, you will undergo a continuation of the assessment, which includes meeting as a group and meeting individually with me. This assessment is an irreplaceable tool for providing both you and your therapist essential insight into your strengths as well as areas of greatest need, allowing her to completely tailor the intensive therapy to your specific needs and goals.

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The Intensive Process

 

Information gathering:
During the first day of the intensive, Jolyn will spend time with you as a couple and individually to better understand what you’re experiencing, who you are, and your individual perspectives. This will help guide you during our second day toward appropriate interventions that can help you change the cycle you’re currently in.

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Feedback:

After completing the assessment, you will receive the results and feedback for your relationship during the first day. Jolyn’s  feedback will be based on research-backed science related to healthy relationships. You will learn about your strengths and the areas in which you struggle as a couple. Jolyn will provide you with information about how these different areas are impacting your relationship and what can be done to address it. During this feedback time, you will also be learning about what makes relationships work and how to utilize the science of relationships to improve your own.

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Intervention:

Once you’ve completed the assessment process and received feedback, the rest of your weekend will include intervention exercises. Intensive sessions are highly interactive. Your therapist will guide you through important conversations and teach you important skills that you can do at home when you have completed therapy. Jolyn will also offer interventions related to your specific issues—for example, if you are struggling with betrayal, you might spend the weekend learning how to restore trust.

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After the Intensive

 

Once you’ve completed the assessment process and received feedback, the rest of your weekend will include intervention exercises. Intensive sessions are highly interactive. Your therapist will guide you through important conversations and teach you important skills that you can do at home when you have completed therapy. Jolyn will also offer interventions related to your specific issues—for example, if you are struggling with betrayal, you might spend the weekend learning how to restore trust.

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Risks and Benefits of Intensive Couples Therapy

 

Benefits

• Couples who do intensive sessions have more time to process their issues and learn new skills without the frequent stops and starts of traditional weekly couples therapy.

• Because it is designed to be “intense,” you have the opportunity to explore issues more quickly than you might otherwise. It is designed to expedite progress.

• Couples have more time to go through a thorough assessment of their relationship. There is also more opportunity to practice emotional regulation, practice skill building, and create a strong relationship with your therapist.

• Many clients leave intensives feeling more equipped, better understood, and hopeful for their future. They also often leave feeling much more clear about their next steps and more decisive.

 

Risks

No form of therapy comes with a guarantee for improvement. There are some possible risks:

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• Intensive therapy is not a “magic fix.” Depending on the type of issue, the severity, and the length of time the issue has occurred, a couple may or may not need continued therapy following the appointment.

• Based on the assessment and the state of the relationship, you might hear a recommendation that is upsetting, disappointing, or frustrating.

• You might learn things about your relationship you did not know and this could be surprising.

• It is designed to be an intensive form of therapy. Feelings may get intense or overwhelming.