Couples intensives
Concentrated time for a relationship at a turning point.
A private intensive gives one couple several focused days of licensed clinical work on a crisis or an entrenched pattern, instead of an hour at a time. In person in the Mat-Su Valley, or remote for couples in Alaska and Ohio.
Who it is for
- Couples in crisis after a discovery, a betrayal, or a major rupture
- Couples who feel stuck after weekly therapy
- Couples deciding whether to stay together
- Couples whose schedules or distance make weekly sessions hard
What we work on
- The core cycle that keeps repeating
- Repair after betrayal or deep hurt
- A shared plan for the weeks after the intensive
At a glance
- Type
- Licensed counseling, intensive format
- Format
- Over multiple consecutive days, in person in the Mat-Su Valley or remote by telehealth
- Available to
- Couples who complete a suitability conversation and are physically in Alaska or Ohio during the intensive. Couples from other states or abroad can travel to Alaska for in-person work.
- Provided by
- Nawal Ibrahim, MS, MA, LPC, LMFT, and SoundHeart clinicians.
- Payment
- Private pay. Fees are shown in your secure booking and payment link.
What it involves
Several days. One focus.
An intensive replaces months of weekly sessions with focused, consecutive days. That concentration helps some couples move past the point where weekly therapy keeps stalling.
Each intensive is tailored to the couple. A typical structure moves from assessment, to mapping the cycle, to guided repair conversations, to a practice plan you take home. Rest and reflection are built into each day.
Because intensives move quickly, every couple completes a suitability conversation before booking. Follow-up sessions after the intensive help new patterns hold.
Through the NeuroRelational lens. Repetition at density. Many guided practice cycles in a short period, so new responses are rehearsed rather than only discussed.
How it works
From first contact to ongoing work.
Inquiry
Tell us a little about your situation and timing.
Suitability conversation
We confirm an intensive is safe and appropriate for both partners.
Preparation
Pre-intensive forms and a planning call so the days are tailored to you.
The intensive
Several focused days, in the Mat-Su Valley or by telehealth.
Follow-up
Check-in sessions to support the practice plan at home.
Fit and safety
When this is not the right first step
- There is ongoing violence, threats, or coercive control
- One partner is attending under pressure
- Either partner is in an acute mental health or substance use crisis
- An affair is ongoing and not yet ended
When an intensive is not the right fit, we will say so and suggest what would serve you better.
Questions
Common questions
How long is an intensive?
SoundHeart offers three day and five day formats. We recommend a length after the suitability conversation.
Can we do an intensive remotely?
Yes, if both partners are physically in Alaska or Ohio during every session. Remote intensives use secure telehealth.
We live outside Alaska and Ohio. Can we still come?
Yes. Couples can travel to Alaska for an in-person intensive. Ongoing counseling after you return home is available if you live in Alaska or Ohio, and coaching is available anywhere. Options in other states and abroad
How is an intensive different from a retreat?
A private intensive is licensed clinical work built around one couple. Retreats are non-clinical training and coaching with a set program over three or five days. Learn about retreats
Next step
Ask whether an intensive fits your situation.
A short consultation is the easiest way to find out. We will tell you plainly if another option would serve you better.