As a marriage counselor in Atlanta, GA, I get this question a lot, “Why should a couple consider a marital intensive?” My answer is always the same. It’s an investment in your most valuable relationship – your marriage. Couples often come to me when they are on the brink of divorce, feeling like they have exhausted all other options and don’t know what else to do. I also get a lot of couples seeking discernment counseling and then giving marital intensives a shot. They are overwhelmed with emotions and hurt. It can be hard to navigate through all of that in a 50-60-minute time period. This is why marriage counselors like myself recommend marital intensives.
A marital intensive is an extended counseling session that typically takes place over a weekend or several days. It offers you and your partner a longer amount of time to step away from the distractions and carve out much-needed focused time for your relationship. Intensives are sessions that can take place over days and last longer than an hour. Each marriage counselor may offer their own unique format for a marital intensive, but the overall goal is to provide you and your partner with an opportunity to dive deep into your relationship. So why should every couple consider a marital intensive? Here are some compelling reasons:
1. Time to Focus on the Relationship 
Unlike marriage counseling, marital intensives last more than an hour. I know I already mentioned that but let me get into the details. Now, there is nothing wrong with traditional marriage counseling. But sometimes it can feel like you’re just scratching the surface of your issues before time is up. Or, maybe you and your partner are struggling with communication, and when you finally seem to have a good conversation going, the session ends. With a marital intensive, you have several days to focus solely on your relationship without any distractions or time constraints.
Take a moment to think of an argument you’ve had with your partner that you’ve tried dissecting in therapy. Where did you land before time was up? Did you both feel like the issue was resolved? If so, that’s great! Otherwise, you and your partner would probably benefit from a marital intensive. It allows you to dive deep into the issue and come out with a better understanding of each other’s perspectives. Now, your marriage counselor will adjust your sessions based on your specific needs. But the overall goal is to give you and your partner enough time to work through your problems thoroughly.
2. Work Through the Problem, Not Just Get to It
When you come to marriage counseling, it can take several sessions just to uncover the real issues in your relationship. Sometimes, it can feel like you’re just going through the motions without making any real progress. For instance, maybe you already know that you and your partner have communication issues, but it takes several sessions to finally get to the root cause of those problems. With a marital intensive, you’ll spend more time resolving problems and less time identifying them. Your marriage counselor will already have a clear understanding of your relationship, so you can dive straight into addressing the root causes. This can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration in the long run.
Also, in traditional marriage counseling, you might feel like you’re repeating yourself without making real progress. By the time you get to where you’re about to talk everything out, the session ends. What happens then? You have to talk about it again in the next session. With a marital intensive, you get to address the problem, work through it, and come out with a resolution before moving on to the next issue. It’s a more efficient use of your time and energy. For example, you and your partner are having trouble with boundaries. During a marital intensive, your therapist can help you create boundaries together and practice implementing them in real time. This can look like using “I” statements and four-part boundaries to communicate more effectively.
3. An Opportunity for a Reset 
A marital intensive is like hitting the reset button on your relationship. It’s a dedicated time, free from distractions, to focus solely on each other and your marriage. Think of it as a mini-retreat to reconnect and rediscover what brought you together in the first place. Life can be busy. You have a job, children, hobbies, and maybe even your own individual therapy sessions. A marital intensive allows you and your partner to slow down, reflect on your relationship, and intentionally work towards strengthening it. It also allows for a fresh start if you’ve been stuck in a negative cycle.
Working with a marriage counselor during a marital intensive can also provide you with practical tools and strategies to help you maintain a healthy and happy marriage in the long run. These tools may include effective communication techniques, conflict resolution methods, and ways to build trust and intimacy within your relationship. One of my favorite techniques is the Gottman Magic Relationship Ratio, which helps couples understand the importance of positive interactions in their relationship. Everyone remembers the last negative thing their partner did. You know it’s true. Why? Because it really bugged you. But what about the last time they made you feel special and loved? The Gottman Magic Relationship Ratio helps couples build a foundation of positive interactions to counteract the negative ones.
4. It’s an Investment in Your Relationship
Marital intensives may be more costly than traditional marriage counseling sessions. But think of it as an investment in your relationship. Just like you invest in your career and personal development, investing in your marriage will benefit you both individually and as a couple. After all, what’s more important than the person you’ve chosen to spend your life with? With a marital intensive, you are actively taking steps towards improving your relationship and investing in its longevity.
Additionally, many insurance plans do not cover marriage counseling or offer limited coverage. That’s why at Faith and Family Empowerment, we don’t take insurance for our marital intensive program. We want to give couples the opportunity to prioritize their relationship without worrying about insurance limitations or approval. And trust me, the investment will be worth it in the long run. You won’t have to get a mental health diagnosis just to get a better understanding of your relationship. Instead, you’ll have the support and guidance of a trained professional to help you work through your issues and strengthen your bond.
5. The Support of a Marriage Counselor
The other biggest reason to consider a marital intensive is having the support of an experienced marriage counselor. They are a neutral party who doesn’t know how your partner isn’t a good communicator or that you secretly hate their weird food habits. They are there to listen, offer unbiased perspectives, and guide you toward creating a healthier relationship. With their expertise and guidance, you can work through conflicts and challenges in a safe and supportive environment. Plus, you’ll have access to their knowledge and experience throughout the entire process, not just during scheduled sessions.
This might seem like an, “Okay, yeah that makes sense but how do we actually implement this in our relationship?” kind of moment. And that’s where the support of a professional marriage counselor comes in. They can provide you with personalized strategies and tools to use in your daily lives, helping you make long-lasting changes for a happier and healthier marriage. So why not give it a try? Your relationship is worth investing in, and a marital intensive could be just what you need to take it to the next level. Remember, seeking help for your marriage is not a sign of failure or weakness – it’s a courageous step towards creating the loving and fulfilling partnership you both deserve.
At Faith and Family Empowerment, we’re dedicated to helping couples build stronger, healthier relationships. Our founder is an experienced marriage counselor who provides personalized support through custom marital intensives designed to meet your unique needs and goals. If you’re curious about investing in your marriage, we’re here to help! Contact us to learn more about our marital intensives, available as a 2-day option on Thursdays and Fridays, or Mondays. Let’s work together to strengthen your relationship.
Interested in a Marriage Intensive with a Marriage Counselor in Atlanta, GA?
If you’re ready to invest in your relationship and experience the transformative power of a marital intensive, we invite you to reach out to us at Faith and Family Empowerment. William Hemphill, our founder and marriage counselor, is passionate about helping couples strengthen their relationships and create lasting love. During our two-day intensives on Thursdays and Fridays, or Mondays, you’ll have the opportunity to work closely with your marriage counselor to address any issues or challenges in your relationship. Our goal is to create a safe space for both partners to openly communicate and gain insight into each other’s perspectives. With the help of marriage counseling in Atlanta, GA, you can strengthen your bond and create a happy, healthy, and fulfilling marriage. Through in-person and online therapy options for marriage counseling, we make it easy for couples to prioritize their relationship and work towards building a stronger foundation for the future. When you’re ready to take the next step, here’s how to get started:
- Contact me to schedule your initial appointment.
- Learn more about my services and approach.
- Build a stronger, more resilient marriage and experience the transformative impact of a marital intensive!
Other Therapy Services Offered at Faith and Family Empowerment
Your marriage could be an area of your life ready for support and growth. Faith and Family Empowerment in Decatur, GA, offers a variety of therapy services to support you through any situation you may be facing. I’m pleased to provide a variety of in-person and online mental health services. These include premarital counseling and discernment counseling. Other mental health services include: Online Therapy, Christian Counseling, Depression Support Groups, and Counseling for Affair Recovery. Learn more by visiting my about, blog, or FAQ pages today!
About the Author 
Are you feeling disconnected in your marriage and wondering if a marital intensive could help? William Hemphill is a highly experienced therapist in Decatur, GA, with over twenty years of expertise in helping couples reconnect and strengthen their relationships. Through personalized marital intensives, William provides focused, compassionate support to address the challenges straining your bond. As the founder of Faith and Family Empowerment, he offers practical strategies to promote healing, improve communication, and rebuild trust. If you’re ready to reignite your connection and create a healthier, thriving relationship, reach out today to learn how a marital intensive can make a difference.