Marathon Couples Therapy is a condensed version of couples therapy or marriage counselling that involves meeting for 6 hour sessions (with breaks) to get a lot done right away. It’s like taking 4 couples counselling sessions and putting them all together rather than spreading them out over the course of 4-8 weeks. This way, couples are able to talk in depth about the struggles and challenges they face in their relationship without the interruption of time limits. There is time to thoroughly process ongoing issues in the relationship, past injuries to the relationship, and possible future pending concerns. There is time to then learn, use, and practice communication tools designed to create more productive conversations. There’s also time to heal and package things up after in depth conversations have been had.

Marathon Couples Therapy is a good fit for couples that want to delve right in to try and fix things quickly as it gives immediate help. It’s also great for couples who either don’t live in Vancouver, BC but who want to work with Counsel Me Vancouver or who have busy schedules and cannot attend traditional 90 minute counselling sessions weekly or bi-weekly.

Marathon Couples Therapy isn’t for everyone. It is intense and does lead to difficult conversations with minimal breaks throughout the day. You and/or your partner may experience unpleasant feelings that therapy can bring up such as sadness, anger, frustration, guilt, and anxiety. Therapy often involves recalling unpleasant events or aspects of your history together as well as talking about the issues you both currently face in your relationship. It’s important to understand that a single Marathon Couples Therapy session isn’t a “fix all” and does not guarantee a happier relationship. It can however, help you sort through the mess of things, get clarity, and improve your ways of communicating about issues.

Keep in mind, your therapist will provide a safe environment to have these difficult conversations. You’ll both be treated with respect, non-judgement, and support. Couples who have completed Marathon Couples Therapy have often described this type of therapy as transformative for their relationships.

First, you need to attend a 90-minute session as a couple to go over the specifics of your relationship and goals for counselling. Then you’d need to both meet individually with a therapist. You’ll have to complete a Gottman Relationship Questionnaire. The therapist will then be able to discuss whether you’d be the right candidates for Marathon Couples Therapy. Assuming you are, you’ll then start Marathon Couples Therapy shortly thereafter.

Marathon Couples Therapy is $1000 + GST per 6 hour session. Most couples opt for 3 or more sessions spread out over the course of 6 months to ensure they fully address their relationship struggles.