Couples Intensive

Give your relationship a reset.

When couples reach a breaking point, weekly therapy often does not feel like enough. The same arguments keep circling, trust feels fragile, emotions run high, and there is little space in daily life to slow down and heal. You may feel as if you are at a “make it or break it” moment.

Couples intensives are designed for these urgent situations. They are also suitable for those in need of couples therapy, but do not have the ability to commit to weekly appointments. Over the course of two full days, you and your partner will step away from work, family, and daily pressures to focus entirely on your relationship. Together, we will create a plan to help you move forward with new insights, deeper understanding, and practical tools. Intensives give couples the chance to get to the bottom of big problems and begin rebuilding trust in a supportive, structured space.

Your intensive will be led by Cristina Trette, LMFT—the founder of Integrative Couples Therapy, based in beautiful Encinitas, California. Cristina specializes in working with couples in crisis, particularly those navigating high stake situations, or those at a crossroads, who need clarity and space to reconnect, fast.

Why Choose an Intensive?

Couples intensives are ideal if:

  • You are in crisis and seeking immersive support

  • Careers, schedules, or travel make it difficult to commit to weekly therapy

  • You want to jump-start therapy with deeper, more focused work

  • Trust has been broken and repair feels urgent

  • You are seeking an intentional fresh start for your relationship

An intensive condenses months of therapy into two days, offering clarity, momentum, and a chance to renew your relationship.

Cristina’s Approach

As both a practicing therapist and the leader of a group practice devoted exclusively to couples, Cristina brings extensive expertise to her work. Her approach is rooted in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy an evidence-based model that helps couples move from conflict to connection. In addition, she weaves in structured conversations and practical tools that you can begin using right away.

During your intensive, Cristina will help you:

  • See and shift painful cycles of conflict, withdrawal, or shutdown

  • Share your emotions and needs in a way your partner can truly hear

  • Repair ruptures and begin rebuilding trust and safety

  • Renew emotional and physical intimacy and connection

  • Create a realistic plan for sustaining closeness after the intensive

Structure of the Intensive

Couples intensives take place over two days:

  • Thursdays and Fridays

  • 10:30 am to 3:30 pm each day

  • Includes a one-hour lunch break from 12:30pm to 1:30pm

You can choose to have lunch provided for you, or enjoy one of the many nearby restaurants in Encinitas.

Outside of Intensive Hours

Your intensive sessions end at 3:30 pm each day, leaving your afternoons and evenings free. Some couples use this time to rest, walk on the beach, or explore Encinitas and San Diego. Others appreciate having a planned experience that includes restorative and connective activities.

We are able to provide activity planning for the two-day intensive period (at an additional cost). Options may include:

  • Yoga

  • Sound healing

  • Surf lesson

  • Dance lesson

This allows you to continue deepening your connection outside of therapy while making your two days together memorable and restorative.

Coming to Encinitas

Encinitas is a coastal town just north of San Diego, known for its beaches, surf culture, yoga community, and holistic health influence. For those traveling from out of town, we recommend arriving Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning. Although you can depart on Friday evening, we encourage you to extend your stay through the weekend, if possible, to give yourself time to reconnect before jumping back into daily pressures.

Flying Into San Diego International Airport

The closest airport is San Diego International Airport (SAN), located about 30 minutes south of Encinitas, San Diego International Airport

Where to Stay

Many couples choose to stay at local hotels or Airbnbs. A few favorites include:

Frequently Asked Questions

How is an intensive different from weekly therapy?
Weekly therapy builds change slowly over time. Intensives are designed for couples who want to dive in and make progress quickly. We condense two months of work into two days, allowing you to see and shift long-standing patterns and create momentum right away.

What if my partner is hesitant?
It is common for one partner to feel uncertain. Cristina will meet you both with care and without judgment. Once couples experience how collaborative and supportive the process is, they often feel relieved and motivated to continue.

What happens after the intensive?
Cristina provides tailored follow-up recommendations. Some couples continue with weekly sessions with a couples therapist in their town. If you do not have a couples therapist, Cristina can provide recommendations. Others return for additional intensives, and some couples feel ready to move forward without therapy, with the insights and tools gained during the experience.

Will you tell us who is right or wrong?
No. Cristina’s role is to support your relationship. She will help each of you share your experience, take ownership where needed, and build new ways of relating that feel better for both of you.

Will the intensive be with other couples?
No. This is a private intensive for you and your partner to attend on your own.

What is the cost?
The cost is $4000. This includes 8 hours of therapy and text and email support during the intensive time frame. This also includes one follow up virtual session that will take place within a few weeks of your intensive. In addition, Cristina will engage in pre or post-intensive coordination of care with your other therapists or providers. If you opt for us to plan your two-day experience with additional activities, there is an additional cost.

Next Steps

If you need more than weekly therapy, a couples intensive can help you reset, repair, and move forward. Contact Cristina Trette, LMFT—Owner and Founder of Integrative Couples Therapy in Encinitas, California to schedule a free 20-minute consultation and explore whether a couples intensive is the right next step for your relationship.