Both Marcia and Michael offer Gottman Marathon Couples Therapy which is a dynamic alternative to traditional weekly sessions in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. It’s a condensed and focused approach to couples therapy that will provide you with the time you need to address specific issues and get your relationship back on track quickly. In this powerful therapy format, you’ll meet with Marcia or Michael, who are both highly trained and experienced therapists, for three consecutive days.

All couples that participate in Marathon Couples Therapy receive a scientific evaluation of their relationship powered by the Gottman Love Lab. Our comprehensive relationship assessment will pinpoint the areas in which you can achieve the greatest growth so you can move forward to a place of strength, reconnection, and hope.

You will have time to talk in depth about the struggles and challenges of the relationship that simply cannot happen in the traditional style of couples therapy. There is time to process past injuries that have never healed, and time to understand how these injuries have impacted the relationship. There is time to learn and practice new communication skills to help you have more productive conversations. There’s time to rebuild.

Marcia and Michael will provide an environment of safety for both partners. You will be treated with dignity and respect, without judgment throughout the process. Couples who have experienced this form of therapy usually describe it as life-changing and transformative.

Marathon Couples Therapy offers practical benefits as well. It’s a good fit for couples who want intensive therapy but don’t live in the vicinity of a Certified Gottman Therapist. It’s also a good fit for couples whose schedules do not allow for them to go to weekly therapy sessions. And finally, it’s a great fit for couples who need to get help immediately.

It is important, however, that you also understand the risks involved. Despite the “nuts and bolts” approach of this method, the Marathon Couples Therapy format may move you more quickly and intensely into the areas of difficulty to be addressed. Therefore, you and/or your partner may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, loneliness, and helplessness. Your therapy may also involve recalling unpleasant aspects of your history together and/or individually.

Typically, we schedule these marathon sessions on a Thursday evening through Saturday, or Friday evening through Sunday. The first day consists of a 3.5 to 4 hour of assessment. Prior to the first day the couple is required to complete an online assessment package that must be completed at least 5 days before the first meeting . The first hour and half of the second day is focused on feedback, including a treatment plan. Couples will typically have 3 to 4 hours of therapy in the morning, a break for lunch, and another 3 to 4 hours of therapy in the afternoon. The session will be structured depending on the needs of each couple. An alternative to this format, which may better meet the needs of some couples is to arrange for shorter blocks of time, such as four hours, scheduled at intervals that are convenient for the couple, usually twice per week or weekly for a short period of time.

The total cost of the marathon depends on the total number of hours that a couple meets with the therapist. A typical marathon is 16 to 24 hours in length. We each charge $200 per hour. Therefore, the total cost will range between $3200 and $4800. The balance due is payable on the final day of the marathon.

REFUND POLICY

We require a deposit of $1000 which is not refundable if you cancel within three weeks of the scheduled marathon date. If you cancel prior to three weeks before the scheduled marathon your deposit will be refunded minus a $200 administration fee. If you cancel within three weeks prior to the scheduled marathon your deposit will be applied to a marathon at a newly scheduled date.

If you are interested in this approach, please contact us directly to schedule a complimentary video appointment which will allow you to ask further questions and to determine if this type of therapy is appropriate for you as a couple. Also, six 1.5 hour follow-up sessions are generally recommended following the marathon session. However, the actual number of follow-up sessions will vary depending on the couples needs. The cost of each follow-up session is $300.

Contact Information:

Marcia Gomez, LCSW (707-235-3423/marciajgomezlcsw@gmail.com)

Michael Basta, LCSW (707-758-1147/mpbasta@gmail.com)

1 / 1