Couples Therapy Intensives

With Valarie Merced, LMHC

Sexologist & Senior Staff Psychotherapist

For some couples, weekly therapy does not provide sufficient time, continuity, or containment to address entrenched relational patterns, acute distress, or longstanding intimacy concerns. Couples Therapy Intensives offer a focused, structured alternative designed to support deeper therapeutic work over a shorter period of time.

Couples Intensives with Valarie Merced, LMHC are intended for couples seeking clarity, repair, and meaningful movement through evidence-based, attachment-focused care.

  • A Couples Therapy Intensive is a concentrated therapeutic format that takes place over extended sessions rather than the traditional once-weekly model.

    This format allows couples to:

    • Slow down relational dynamics as they unfold

    • Work through emotional and sexual concerns with greater depth

    • Maintain therapeutic continuity without week-long interruptions

    For couples navigating busy schedules, heightened distress, or urgent decision-making, intensives can offer a more contained and effective therapeutic experience.

  • Couples Intensives may be appropriate when couples are:

    • Experiencing ongoing conflict or emotional disconnection

    • Navigating infidelity, betrayal, or trust ruptures

    • Struggling with intimacy, desire discrepancy, or sexual concerns

    • Feeling stuck despite previous couples therapy

    • Facing a relationship crossroads or major transition

    • Seeking focused support within a limited timeframe

    This work is affirming of diverse identities and relationship structures, including LGBTQ+ couples, non-monogamous partnerships, and culturally diverse relationships.

  • Valarie Merced’s work integrates Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), attachment-based couples therapy, and sex therapy to help couples understand and shift the patterns that contribute to distress.

    EFT focuses on:

    • Identifying repetitive interaction cycles

    • Understanding underlying emotional and attachment needs

    • Supporting emotional safety, responsiveness, and repair

    Sex therapy within this framework addresses intimacy as both an emotional and relational experience, allowing couples to explore sexual concerns in a clinically grounded, non-pathologizing way.

  • A Certified Sexologist is a clinician with specialized training in human sexuality, sexual development, intimacy, and sexual health across the lifespan.

    As a Sexologist, Valarie brings advanced clinical knowledge in areas including:

    • Sexual desire and arousal differences

    • Sexual avoidance, anxiety, and shame

    • Trauma-informed sexual healing

    • Sexual communication, boundaries, and consent

    • The impact of stress, attachment, and life transitions on intimacy

    This training allows sexual concerns to be addressed within the broader emotional and relational context, rather than in isolation. For many couples, this integrated approach supports both emotional connection and sexual wellbeing.

  • Couples often choose intensives for several reasons:

    Depth and Continuity

    Extended sessions allow couples to move beyond surface-level concerns and remain emotionally engaged without interruption.

    Efficiency

    For couples with limited availability or urgent concerns, intensives can condense months of work into a focused therapeutic experience.

    Clinical Containment

    The structure of an intensive provides space to address complex emotional and sexual dynamics with appropriate pacing and support.

    Sustained Momentum

    Insights and emotional shifts are less likely to be lost between sessions, supporting integration and follow-through.

  • Sexual concerns are often intertwined with emotional safety, communication, and attachment. The intensive format allows couples to explore topics such as:

    • Desire discrepancy

    • Sexual avoidance or performance anxiety

    • Shame, trauma, or body-based concerns

    • Rebuilding intimacy after rupture or betrayal

    • Communication around needs, boundaries, and pleasure

    This work is approached with clinical care, nuance, and respect for each partner’s experience.

  • Couples Intensives are customized based on each couple’s needs, goals, and clinical appropriateness.

    • Extended sessions (typically 4 hours per session)

    • Individualized treatment focus

    • Offered exclusively by a Senior Staff clinician

    Fee range:
    $2,000–$2,200, depending on structure and duration

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FAQs

Understanding the Investment

1

A Couples Intensive costs more because it involves specialized training, longer sessions with prep, and focused, high-impact work that resolves complex issues faster. It’s often similar in price to several months of weekly therapy but delivers deeper, more large-step progress.

Is a Couples Intensive a replacement for ongoing therapy?

2

For some couples, an intensive serves as a starting point or catalyst. Others use it as a stand-alone intervention. Recommendations are made collaboratively based on clinical fit.

Do Couples Intensives work for high-conflict relationships?

3

Yes. The intensive format can be particularly helpful for addressing intimacy and sexual concerns with depth, continuity, and clinical care.

Are Couples Intensives covered by insurance?

4

Couples Intensives are typically private pay and not fully covered by insurance. Our team can discuss payment details during consultation.