Marathon
Couples Therapy
Marathon Couples Therapy provides a weekend of private, in-person sessions for couples to reconnect, heal, and grow—guided by the Gottman Method and tailored to your relationship’s unique needs. It’s an opportunity to spend a weekend diving into what matters most.
There are many reasons why couples find Marathon weekends beneficial. First of all, it is time-efficient. With longer sessions and no distractions, couples often make more progress in a single weekend than in months of weekly therapy. This makes Marathon Couples Therapy ideal for busy professionals, long-distance partners, and couples in time-sensitive situations.
Marathon Couples Therapy also may appeal to couples who find their relationship is on the brink (after betrayal, while considering separation, etc.). Intensive sessions offer focused support without the delay of weekly scheduling. Furthermore, the longer format allows for deeper emotional processing, which is especially useful for unpacking long-standing patterns and healing after ruptures. Extended sessions create momentum that’s harder to build in shorter appointments, helping partners stay emotionally engaged and connected.
Before a Marathon Weekend
We have a 90-minute initial session together—all three of us. This can happen in person (in either the Vashon or Tacoma office) or online.
I then meet with each of you separately for an individual session of 50 minutes. These can be in person or online.
Both of you complete an online Gottman Assessment. There are 480 questions, and it takes most people between 1-2 hours to complete. (You do not need to complete the whole assessment in one sitting! The platform allows users to save their place between multiple logins.)
The Marathon weekend begins on Friday afternoon. We start by reviewing the Gottman Assessment Report, identifying the strengths and challenges for your relationship, and creating our goals for the weekend. Saturday is a full day broken up into two sessions, with a two-hour mid-day break. On Sunday, we work together until midday.
Location
Marathon sessions are held in a charming cottage on Vashon Island. This is in the Burton neighborhood, just a short walk from Quartermaster Yacht Club. It is a five-mile drive from the Tahlequah Ferry Terminal (southern tip of Vashon) and eight miles from the North End Ferry Terminal.
You can get to Vashon Island by taking a Washington State Ferry from either West Seattle (Fauntleroy) or Tacoma (Point Defiance). For the current schedule, review the Washington State Ferries website. If traveling from Tacoma, consult the Point Defiance to Tahlequah schedule. If traveling from West Seattle, consult the Fauntleroy to Vashon schedule.
Please note there are many weddings on Vashon Island during the summer. This can significantly affect ferry travel, so it is always better to arrive 60 minutes prior to the sailing time. I also recommend downloading the free and easy-to-use Ferry Friend app for schedules, alerts, and day-of-travel information.
Where to Stay
Many couples enjoy spending the weekend on Vashon Island. In addition to
The Lodges on Vashon, here are some of my favorite Airbnbs:
Fees
The cost of Marathon Couples Therapy, including the pre-weekend sessions, is $2,900.
Dates
June 27-29, 2025 — full
July 11-13, 2025
July 25-27, 2025 — full
August 1-3, 2025
Feel free to reach out via the Contact Form if you are curious or have questions about whether or not Marathon Couples Therapy may be right for you. Let’s talk!