New Offering

Couples Intensive for Infidelity Recovery in Vancouver, WA

A dedicated, two-day intensive (8 hours) of focused work to jump-start your recovery, create safety and attunement, and give you a clear pathway forward after infidelity.

Call (360) 450-2327

Have you experienced a recent disclosure of infidelity? Are you feeling unsure and stuck on how to move forward?

The shock of infidelity can take a significant toll. Many couples initially seek weekly therapy to help guide them through the aftermath—and weekly couples therapy can be effective. But progress is often slow, and after one to two years the time and cost investment can feel overwhelming for couples who want focused momentum now.

A couples intensive is a dedicated, short period of time—8 hours total—of focused work designed to jump-start your recovery, create safety and attunement, and help you understand the clear pathway of moving forward.

This is not a generic couples retreat. It is a structured, therapeutic experience specifically for couples navigating the aftermath of infidelity, led by Marissa Talarico, a licensed marriage and family therapist experienced in affair recovery, trauma, and relationship repair.

Is a Couples Intensive Right for You?

An intensive can be an optimal fit for couples who want focused, accelerated support after infidelity.

There was a recent disclosure of infidelity and the shock and confusion is overwhelming

You are scared to move forward and dig in, but want connection and healing

You want to invest in your relationship but don't want progress to be slow and attend weekly therapy

You want to work with a therapist experienced in infidelity, trauma, and recovery with a non-pathologizing lens

What the Intensive Includes

Two consecutive days of structured, compassionate work—four hours each day—designed to move you from crisis to clarity.

Pre-Intensive Questionnaires

Before we begin, you will complete comprehensive questionnaires so I can understand your relationship, assess treatment needs, and build a structure tailored to your situation.

Day 1 — Assessment & Disclosure

The first 4-hour block includes an in-depth couples assessment, a personalized treatment plan, initial disclosure work, and trust-building exercises. We end with a 30-minute individual session with each partner.

Day 2 — Trauma, Meaning & Moving Forward

The second 4-hour block moves through the trauma of infidelity, explores why it happened, creates a foolproof trust plan, and builds a clear pathway forward together.

Customized Recovery Plan + Follow-Up

At the end of the intensive you receive a written, customized plan summarizing what was covered and how to continue healing. One week later, we meet for a follow-up session to firm up the work.

Format: Two consecutive days, 4 hours each day (8 hours total), with a 30-minute individual session with each partner on Day 1. One follow-up session is scheduled one week after the intensive.

Why Choose an Intensive Over Weekly Therapy?

Weekly Couples Therapy

•50–60 minutes per week
•Progress can feel slow between sessions
•Often takes 1–2 years for meaningful recovery
•Can lose momentum during the week

Couples Intensive

8 hours over two consecutive days
Accelerated momentum and deeper processing
Clear structure and immediate traction
Customized plan to guide ongoing recovery

Unsure if an Intensive is Right for You?

Schedule a free consultation to ask questions, share your goals, and learn whether a couples intensive is the right next step for your relationship.

Request Free Consultation Call (360) 450-2327

Marissa Talarico, MA, LMFT · Vancouver, WA

Free Intensive Preparation Checklist & Bring-It-With-You Handout

A printable two-page PDF to help you arrive settled and ready. Page one walks through the week before your intensive; page two is a bring-it-with-you handout with space to write down what matters most to you.

Logistics: scheduling, childcare, parking, time off
Body and mind: sleep, meals, grounding support
Reflection prompts (no perfect narrative required)
What to pack, plus note space for both partners

Download the Checklist (PDF)Preview in a new tab

2 pages · PDF · No email required

Frequently Asked Questions About Couples Intensive for Infidelity Recovery

Question: Who is eligible for the couples intensive?Answer: This intensive is designed for couples who have recently experienced a disclosure of infidelity and are both willing to attend together. Both partners must be able to participate safely in a contained setting; it is not appropriate when there is ongoing physical violence, active substance dependence, or an immediate safety risk. If you are unsure whether it is a fit, the free consultation is a good place to discuss your situation.

Question: What is the format of the couples intensive?Answer: The intensive is 8 hours total, split over two consecutive days. Day 1 and Day 2 are each 4 hours. On Day 1, I also meet with each partner individually for 30 minutes. A one-week follow-up session is scheduled after the intensive to consolidate the work. Intensives are held in person at the Vancouver, WA office.

Question: What should we expect during the intensive?Answer: You can expect a structured, compassionate process: an in-depth couples assessment, disclosure work, trauma processing, exploration of meaning, a trust-building plan, and a written, customized recovery plan you leave with. The work is paced carefully to create safety and attunement before moving into deeper material.

Question: How is confidentiality handled?Answer: Confidentiality is handled the same as in standard therapy sessions. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist, and information shared is protected by professional confidentiality laws. Exceptions apply only when there is a risk of harm, as required by law. Because I am not an evaluator or custody expert for either partner, the intensive is not a forensic or court-reporting process.

Question: How should we prepare?Answer: Before the intensive, you will complete comprehensive questionnaires about your relationship history and current needs. Plan to clear your schedules for both days, arrange childcare if needed, and come well-rested. Bring a notebook, dress comfortably, and eat a solid meal beforehand. You do not need to prepare a perfect narrative; part of the work is creating clarity together.

Question: Can an intensive replace weekly therapy?Answer: An intensive can provide a powerful jump-start, but it is not always a replacement for ongoing therapy. Many couples continue with weekly sessions afterward to deepen the work and maintain momentum. The intensive is designed to give you a clear path forward, whether that path includes continued therapy or a structured recovery plan you carry on your own.

Question: Do you accept insurance for the intensive?Answer: Intensives are private-pay services. I can provide a superbill upon request that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Because coverage varies, I recommend checking with your insurer about out-of-network mental health benefits before we begin.

Where Sessions Are Held

Couples intensives are held in person at the Vancouver, WA office:

601 Main Street, Suite 300
Vancouver, WA 98660

Serving couples in Vancouver, WA; Portland, OR; and the greater Clark County area.

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