Regular couples therapy usually takes place in weekly 50-minute sessions, with the work developing gradually over several months. An intensive brings a number of those therapy hours together within one concentrated period, lasting from four hours to three days.

The difference is also in what becomes possible during that time. A weekly session may end just as an important issue begins to surface or a familiar conflict becomes visible in the room. During an intensive, we can stay with what is happening, slow the interaction down and help you understand what each of you is feeling, communicating and reacting to.

There is time to move from describing the problem to seeing the dynamic unfold between you, exploring what lies beneath it and practising different ways of responding. We can work with several connected aspects of the relationship, return to difficult conversations after reflection and help you translate new understanding into practical strategies for life outside therapy.

This depth and continuity can be particularly valuable when the relationship is in crisis, the difficulties are complex or longstanding, or you need clarity about an important decision within a more concentrated period of time.

You can choose the format that feels most appropriate for your relationship, or we can help you decide. If you already know how much time you want to dedicate to the work, you can select your preferred format when you enquire. If you are unsure, we will discuss your circumstances with you and recommend the option that we believe will be most useful.

A four-hour intensive is generally suited to a specific, contained issue, pattern or decision. A one-day intensive allows for a broader understanding of the relationship and time to begin working towards change. Two or three days may be more appropriate when the difficulties are complex or longstanding, when several issues are connected, or when the relationship is in crisis following infidelity, betrayal or a possible separation.

Our recommendation will take into account what has brought you to therapy, what you hope to achieve, the history and complexity of the difficulties, your emotional capacity and the time you have available. Together, we can decide what is both appropriate and realistic for your relationship.

Both online and in-person intensives are available, depending on the format and our availability. Four-hour intensives can usually take place either online or in person, making them accessible to couples living elsewhere in the UK or internationally.

Due to the length and emotional intensity of the work, one, two and three-day formats are usually available only in person. These can take place in London, Portugal or another location by arrangement.

Our intensives are charged according to the amount of therapy time included:

• Four-hour intensive: £800

• One-day intensive, seven therapy hours: £1,500

• Three-day intensive, 21 therapy hours: £4,500

If you would like us to travel to another location, additional costs for travel, accommodation and venue hire may apply. These will be discussed and agreed with you before you book.

Yes. Many of our clients are high-profile, wealthy, or public figures for whom absolute discretion is non-negotiable, and we've built this practice around that reality. Nothing about your involvement with us is left to chance, from how sessions are scheduled to where they take place to how records are kept.

No. The concentrated nature of an intensive can be extremely valuable, but it needs to be emotionally and clinically appropriate for both partners. You both need to be able to participate willingly, speak openly and remain engaged with the process, even if you have different hopes for the outcome.

An intensive may not be suitable where there is ongoing domestic abuse or coercive control, an immediate concern about safety, an acute mental health crisis or active addiction that is not being managed. In these circumstances, individual or specialist support may need to take priority before couples work can begin.

We assess suitability before confirming an intensive. If we believe that another form of support would be safer or more helpful, we will discuss this with you and, where possible, suggest an appropriate alternative.

Before the intensive ends, we bring together what has emerged, review the progress you have made and agree on the next steps. You will leave with a clearer understanding of the patterns affecting your relationship and practical strategies to continue using in everyday life.

The work often continues to settle and develop after the intensive as you begin applying what you have learned outside the therapy room. Depending on your needs, the next step may involve a follow-up session, ongoing couples therapy, individual support or time to reflect before deciding how you want to proceed.

We will discuss the most appropriate options with you. You are not expected to have resolved every difficulty or made every decision by the end of the intensive.

Contact us through the enquiry form or email us at info@rousandmost.com. Tell us briefly what has brought you to couples therapy, where you are based, your general availability and whether you already have a preferred intensive format.

We will arrange an initial consultation to understand your circumstances, discuss what you hope to achieve and consider whether an intensive is appropriate for you. You can choose your preferred format, or we can help you decide how much time would best suit the work you want to do.

Once we have agreed on the format, location and dates, we will explain the practical arrangements and any preparation needed before the intensive.