Couples Intensives · Regina Abayev, JD, LMFT
Concentrated
couples work
Extended couples sessions in half-day, full-day, or multi-day formats. Each includes individual time with each partner and joint sessions together, structured around a specific presenting issue.
When you need
to dive in
Sometimes weekly sessions are enough. Other times there is a need for things to change quickly, or for a decision to be made. We get straight into what is actually happening and figure out what needs to happen next.
Intensives are particularly well suited for couples flying in from out of town or out of state who want to spend dedicated time focused on what matters most to them.
The work,
uninterrupted
A standard 55-minute session includes time to settle in, time to close, and rarely more than 35 minutes of uninterrupted depth work. An intensive eliminates that inefficiency entirely. We go straight into the work and stay there.
The concentrated format allows us to get underneath a problem in a single session that might take months of weekly appointments to reach. There is no stopping at the moment of breakthrough because the hour is up. No losing momentum between sessions. No rebuilding context from week to week.
Some clients find that a single intensive is equivalent to several months of weekly work.
This is not a replacement for weekly therapy. It is a different tool for different circumstances, and for the right person in the right moment it moves things that nothing else has been able to move.
The difference
in practice
| Weekly Therapy | Therapy Intensive |
|---|---|
| "I feel better for a day, then life gets in the way." | "The change feels fundamental and integrated." |
| "We spend half the time catching up on the week." | "We spent the whole time solving the problem." |
| "It feels like a slow leak." | "It feels like a complete system reboot." |
Where you are
and what needs to change
Intensives can be open-ended or structured around a presenting issue. Reach out and we will connect about the right format based on what your relationship needs.
Full-day format: 6 hours with a break.
Day Two: Individual and joint sessions built around what surfaced on day one.
Is this
right for you?
Intensives are not for everyone. They work best when there is a specific issue to address, a readiness to go deep, and the time and space to do it properly.
In-person sessions are available at the Hermosa Beach office. Virtual intensives are available for clients anywhere in California.
Choose the format
that fits
The right format depends on the issue and how much time you have. All intensives include a detailed pre-session intake questionnaire for both partners and treatment planning time, so we can get straight to it when we meet.
Current rates for every format are listed under fees on the FAQ page.
In their
own words
"I could not stop replaying my husband's affair. I could not sleep or focus on work. After an ART intensive, I slept through the night for the first time in weeks. The memories are still there, but they no longer consume me the way they did."
"I came in angry and expecting to be chastised. I was so used to my partner and therapists trying to pull me back in. This was the first time I felt I could be honest about my ambivalence without being judged."
"We came in rough shape and were on the verge of separating. There was so much anger and resentment between us. Regina held each of us accountable for our own behavior and helped us work through what we were each carrying."
"I had a lot to unpack and decided on an intensive. Four hours passed and I could have stayed for another four. We addressed childhood trauma I had struggled to talk about and had time to incorporate ART processing — which felt much more productive than anything I had tried before."
What to know
before you book
Yes. Both partners need to be present. Individual time with each partner and joint sessions are both part of every format.
In person at the Hermosa Beach office, or virtually for couples anywhere in California. In-person is recommended for multi-day and full-day formats when possible.
Email info@reginaabayev.com with a brief description of your situation. A consultation call follows to determine the right intensive and timing.
Not necessarily. Some couples use an intensive as a starting point before transitioning to weekly sessions. Others use it to address a specific issue within an ongoing course of work. The right approach depends on where you are and what you need.
This is a cash-pay practice. Intensives are not billed through insurance. A superbill can be provided upon request for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
FAQ
Questions About Couples Intensives
What is a couples intensive?
A couples intensive replaces the weekly session with a dedicated half-day or full-day block. Each intensive includes individual time with each partner as well as joint sessions.
How do I book a couples intensive?
Email info@reginaabayev.com. A brief consultation call follows to confirm the right format and structure for your situation.
Every intensive begins
with a conversation
There is no commitment required before the initial consultation. That call is an opportunity to discuss what you are dealing with, what format makes sense, and whether this is the right fit.
This practice serves individual and couples intensive clients in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, the South Bay, and across California via telehealth.