What Is a Couples Therapy Intensive?
A Couples Therapy Intensive is a focussed, two-day alternative to weekly couples therapy. Instead of spreading sessions over several months, both partners work closely with Madonna, Psychologist and Certified Gottman Therapist, across two full consecutive days.
Before the intensive begins, couples go through a thorough screening and assessment process, including a written assessment and the Gottman Connect Relationship Assessment. This ensures the therapist has all the relevant information about your relationship. This gathering of information continues when you meet with Madonna to begin your intensive.
During the intensive, the therapist works exclusively with the couple to address their relationship concerns in a deep, concentrated format and build skills for the future to create a healthier pattern of communication and conflict management.
Why Couples Choose the Two Day Intensive
Works for busy lifestyles
Deep emotional processing
Time to stay in flow
Rapid skill development
Feel heard and understood
Our Couples Therapy Intensive means Madonna works exclusively with you both across two consecutive days, focussed on your biggest presenting issues and problems.
What Happens During a Two-Day Couples Therapy Intensive?
DAY 1
Meet and greet and get to know each other
The Gottman Feedback session where we examine your relationship
DAY 2
The couple continues to work on presenting problems
Develop and practice communication and conflict management skills, and learn to repair.
Plan rituals of connection and develop a customised plan to maintain the changes over time.
The couple talks through core issues together including past hurts or key conflict areas.
What You’ll Work On Together
Process hurt
Understanding repeating issues and cyclical arguments
Build emotional connection
Manage escalating emotions
Learn to make effective repairs
Become skillful at calmer communication
Across the two days, you’ll work through both the emotional and practical aspects of your relationship.
Before the Intensive: Assessment Process
Before the two-day intensive, a thorough assessment process ensures the work is focused, informed, and tailored to your relationship.
1. Written questionaires
Before you meet, each of you completes a brief written questionnaire. This allows you to reflect on your relationship privately and ensures important concerns are identified early.
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2. Gottman Connect Relationship Assessment
You’ll complete the Gottman Connect Relationship Assessment, a research-based tool that provides detailed insight into the strengths and stress points in your relationship.
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3. Review of history + patterns
Madonna carefully reviews your relationship history and recurring patterns to understand how difficulties have developed and what maintains them.
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4. Ensures intensive is tailored
All of this information ensures the two-day intensive is focused, balanced, and tailored specifically to your relationship, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Common Issues Covered in a Two-Day Couples Therapy Intensive
You have the time to work through difficult issues properly
Instead of rushing conversations in a 90-minute session, the extended format allows you to stay with important topics long enough to understand them and move them forward.
No “packing away” emotions at the end of a 90-minute session
The extended time allows you to work through issues fully, with therapist support and guidance, rather than stopping mid-conversation.
Issues are processed thoroughly and respectfully
Both partners are heard. The focus is on understanding patterns and finding practical ways forward, not assigning blame.
You remain in a safe therapeutic bubble
The two-day format creates a private environment where you can concentrate on your relationship without outside pressures or distractions.
Builds the momentum couples need to gain positive traction
Many couples feel stuck in repeating cycles. The intensive format helps create movement and clarity, so you leave with direction and practical next steps.
Follow-Up Sessions
Following your couples therapy intensive, follow-up sessions are recommended to support the changes made and help maintain progress over time. These sessions provide an opportunity to review how things are going, strengthen skills, and address any difficulties that may arise.
Follow-up sessions are generally 1-2 hours in length and are priced at $260 per hour.
2 Day Intensive vs. Weekly Therapy
Not sure if the Intensive or weekly therapy is right for you? Here’s how they differ.
Aspects
Duration
Depth
Efficiency
Ideal for
Follow-up
2-Day Intensive
2 full consecutive days
Deep dive into major issues
Comparable to several months of weekly therapy.
Couples seeking focused progress, with limited time or feeling stuck
Monthly or bi-monthly maintenance sessions
Weekly Therapy
Ongoing weekly sessions
Gradual work over time
Slower-paced
Couples wanting steady, ongoing support
Regular ongoing sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet Madonna
Registered Psychologist. Certified Gottman Couples Therapist. The Art and Science of Love Workshop Leader.
Madonna has been practicing as a Psychologist for 30 years, with two decades focussed on private practice. Over the last 10 years, her work has centred almost exclusively on supporting couples. In 2019, she became the first Certified Gottman Couples Therapist on the Sunshine Coast.
Practical Details
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Location: Maroochydore
Hours: 9am–5pm.
Cost: $5100 (Total for 2 days including assessment) + $500 per weekend day
Follow-up Cost
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Reserve your Intensive
Limited availability.