Kristina suggests you suspend any difficult discussions until the next day and spend the evening together to put into practice some of the relationship building skills you’ve been learning. You can choose to stay at your usual accommodation or check into one of the many BnB style accommodation places around Samford Valley.

A follow up session is included to consolidate the coaching. Further sessions can be booked if required. Many couples choose to have “check in” sessions at increasing intervals over a few months.

Research shows intensive initial treatment can be of assistance. If your relationship is in crisis, all-day sessions provide a condensed and highly focused approach to relationship issues that can help couples move quickly through specific issues and learn important new skills in a short period of time.

Intensive couples therapy is suitable for clients travelling from out of town who cannot attend weekly therapy sessions.  Zoom (online) sessions are available for the assessment and follow up sessions for those clients outside easy travelling distance.

Check out my blog post here to read some examples of Intensive-style programmes for different couples and how it might suit you.

For couples who are looking for other intensive therapy options, Kristina can offer a tailored approach to suit you and your family. 

For those looking for more flexibility to 2 consecutive days; you may like to consider a mini-retreat. This could take the form of 2x 1 day sessions, 4x half-day sessions, or a suite of 3-4 hours sessions.

Making time for intensive therapy can help couples work through specific issues and learn new skills to practice at home together. You can choose the frequency and duration that works best for you both.

To register your interest or to enquire about mini-Retreats, you can use our contact form to get in touch.

Are you ready to take the first step?

Working with a Gottman trained therapist can help you learn the skills to build, manage and maintain your unique relationship.

For couples looking to take their relationship to the next level, the 2-Day Retreat allows you that focussed time together. 

To register your interest or to enquire about Retreat availability, use our contact form to get in touch.

What is expected of you?

An assessment phase is first. The Gottman Institute research evidence supports a thorough assessment phase before therapy begins, and in practice we find this phase is beneficial for couples to look at all aspects of their relationship to understand the strengths and weaknesses. See here for more information about the Relationship Health Assessment.

You will get the most benefit from therapy if you put into practice what you learn during the programme.

What is the structure of the 2 Day Retreat?

The intensive therapy sessions take place over two consecutive days at Kristina’s garden retreat in Samford about 23 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD (about 30 minutes’ drive). We commence each day at 9am; break for morning tea (provided) and at lunchtime you can eat at one of the many cafes or restaurants in Samford Village. We wrap up the day around 5pm. You can choose to stay at your usual accommodation or check into one of the many BnB style accommodation places around Samford Valley.

Does the Retreat have to be over consecutive days?

No. We will try and be flexible to your request if there is a different pattern of days that suit you better. See our blog for examples of how we might structure 2x 1 Day sessions. You may like to consider a 3-4 half-day sessions if full days are not suitable for your schedule.

How many follow-up sessions will we need?

There is not a universal approach so it will differ from couple to couple – you may decide one is enough. However many couples choose to have “check in” sessions at increasing intervals over a few months. Some couples look to refresh their assessment at a 6-month check-in. Kristina aims to teach you the skills you need to build and continue to work on your relationship in the future, together at home. Additional appointments can be booked if required.

Post-Retreat, some couples choose to purchase a product called the Gottman Relationship Builder which allows you to practice the Gottman Method concepts you learn during the Retreat, whilst in your own home. The Builder is a collection of role-playing exercises and powerful videos designed to improve your relationship and to greatly minimise chances of relapse. Kristina’s clients can choose to purchase the Builder at a heavily discounted price- see more information further below.

How much does the 2-Day Retreat cost?

Retreat’s held between Monday-Friday have a total fee of $4,660 or if the Retreat falls on a weekend or public holiday, the fee is $5,078 (which includes a 10% loading rate). This is typically payable in 3 installments:

1. Deposit of $500 due at time of booking/prior to questionnaires being sent out.
2. Mid-term payment of $1,500 after individual appointments
3. Final payment due ($2,660 or $3,078) due at close of Retreat

Ask us about payment plans on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis to help manage the costs of Intensive Couples Therapy.

You may be eligible for rebates from your private health insurer depending on your personal plan.

What’s included in the cost?

The fee above includes:

• 2x online assessments and analysis for each partner
• Individual pre-workshop sessions for each partner (50 minutes each)
• Therapy sessions over 2 consecutive days
• Morning tea and afternoon tea provided, as well as tea & coffee and refreshments
• A Resource Pack (also provided in electronic format)
• One follow-up joint session (1-hour)

What is the cancellation policy?

You may cancel at any stage during the process.  Cancellation fees are as follows:

• Paid deposit & booked appointments and cancelling with more than 30 days before first day of Retreat – full refund less $50 admin;

• Paid deposit and cancelling between 7 and 30 days before first day of Retreat – full refund less $500 deposit;

• Paid deposit and cancelling with less than 7 days before first day of Retreat – 50% of payments received returned to you;

• Paid deposit and cancelling with less than 48 hours before first day of Retreat – no refund.

Additional Offer ~New in 2022~

Couples can choose to purchase the Gottman Relationship Builder, a collection of 13 modules with 35 research-based exercises and 90 exclusive videos to choose from in an easy-to-use online tool. You receive indefinite access to the Builder for the cost of USD$149 (approx. AUD$200) – this is a discounted rate of 71% (at the time of writing, the standard price for the Gottman module library & Builder is USD$520).

Is it an overnight Retreat?

Accommodation is not included in the cost of this Retreat. If you want to make this an overnight Retreat where you can truly focus on your relationship the whole time without the distractions from home, you may like to explore staying at an idyllic bush retreat via Airbnb or a local accommodation provider in the Samford Valley and surrounds. Turn your therapy retreat into a short getaway where you and your partner can truly connect in quiet nature and beautiful surrounds.

Will Kristina tell you there’s no hope for your relationship?

No. She is committed to your overall health and wellness. The skills you learn will help you repair, rebuild or rejuvenate your relationship – if that’s what you want; they will help you separate and coparent on good terms if that’s what you want; and they will enhance your relationships with family, friends and work colleagues too.

When is couples therapy not advisable?

If there is serious violence in your relationship including threats of or fear of serious violence on the part of one or both partners.

If there is untreated, diagnosed mental illness (bipolar, psychotic disorders and major clinical depression), not including past and successfully treated mental health conditions that are currently stable and/or in remission.

If one or both of you have suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or a history of serious harm inflicted on another person.

In these cases, please speak with your GP for referral for specialist treatment.