Personalized and Private
Couples Counseling
Intensive Weekend
Months of Couples Counseling in a Few Days
Limited Weekend Availability
Intensive weekends are offered on select dates throughout the year and are limited to one couple per weekend.
Current availability:
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September: Booked
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October: Booked
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November: Booked
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December: One weekend available
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January 2027: One weekend available
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February 2027: Two weekends available
Interested in an intensive? Contact me to schedule a complimentary consultation and discuss available dates.
Dr Valinda Harlan Talks About Couples Counseling Intensive Weekend
Is a Couples Intensive Right For You?
A couples intensive may be a good fit if you:
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Keep having the same arguments without resolving them
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Feel emotionally disconnected or like you've become more like roommates
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Are trying to rebuild trust after infidelity or another significant relationship injury
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Are struggling with emotional or sexual intimacy
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Are considering separation or divorce and want to explore whether your relationship can be repaired
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Have tried weekly counseling but need more concentrated time together
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Have demanding work or family schedules that make weekly appointments difficult
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Are navigating a major transition such as an empty nest, retirement, or other midlife changes
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Want to strengthen an already good relationship before problems become more serious
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Live outside the Vancouver area and would rather make fewer trips for in-person counseling
What Does a Weekend of Couples Counseling Look Like?
This is a highly personalized and concentrated intervention.
Part One
2 hours
We start the personalization by getting a clear picture of where you both are right now and what you want to be different.
We review your personal relationship history, set goals and, when helpful, assign relationship and personality assessments.
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Parts
Two & Three
4 hours + meal break
This is where we do the bulk of the work. We’ll review any assessments you completed and use them to guide our work together.
Drawing from the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and attachment-based approaches, we’ll move beyond the surface-level conflict to uncover the patterns, underlying wounds, and unmet needs that contribute to disconnection, loss of trust, and difficulties with emotional or sexual intimacy. We’ll focus on what is unique to your relationship and work together toward meaningful, practical change. We’ll create a clear plan for maintenance.
Optional Part Four
2 hours
(The work done in Part Four can also be scheduled as weekday sessions)
Practice practical communication tools and apply them to the issues you’ve uncovered, leaving with a concrete roadmap for moving forward. We’ll address the areas that matter most, including trust, household roles, parenting, finances, emotional and sexual intimacy, and conflict. The goal is to help you create a renewed, more connected, and hope-filled relationship.
​Couples counseling sessions during the week are 50 minutes.
During a Weekend Intensive, you're getting a full 60-minute hour
How much is a weekend of intensive couples counseling?
Partial Weekend $1,800: includes Parts 1, 2, and 3 (6 full hours of counseling)
Option 1: Friday evening, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon
Option 2: Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning
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Full Weekend $2,300: includes Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 (8 full hours of counseling)
Option 1: Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday Morning
Option 2: Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning, and Sunday afternoon
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Insurance does not cover weekend intensives.
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A 50% deposit is required to reserve your date.
The deposit is refundable if you reschedule or cancel at least 30 days in advance.
The balance is paid in full at the start of Part One
What is Dr Harlan's training and approach?
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Gottman Method
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Attachment-based therapy
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Sexual wellness and couples intimacy
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WPATH and ALGBTIC-trained for LGBTQ+ competency
Customized Intensive
Couples Counseling
with
Dr Valinda Harlan
Why Work With Dr. Harlan?
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Valinda holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Nationally Certified Counselor based in Vancouver, Washington, specializing in relationship and sexual intimacy issues. She's part of the Gottman Referral Network and has spent her career helping couples rebuild trust, communication, closeness, and actually change the patterns that got them stuck.
Questions and Answers About Intensive Weekends for Couples
Do we need to have done any counseling or therapy before signing up for a weekend intensive of couples counseling?
No. Some couples come to an intensive as their first step; others come after weekly therapy. We'll talk it through on your consultation call to make sure it's the right fit.
Where does the intensive couples counseling take place?
In-person at my Vancouver, WA office or online for couples in California, Oregon, and Washington.
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There is an "at your location" option available for a travel fee for some areas in Washington, Oregon, and California. Some couples prefer to do this type of counseling in the comfort of their own home. Others plan a weekend retreat for themselves and book an Airbnb or a hotel.
What is the cost of a weekend of intensive couples counseling?
The cost for Parts 1, 2, and 3 is $1,800
Option 1:Friday night, Saturday morning, and afternoon
Option 2: Saturday morning, afternoon, and Sunday morning
The cost for Parts 1,2,3,and 4 is $2,300
Option 1: Friday night, Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday morning
Option 2: Saturday morning, afternoon, Sunday morning, and afternoon
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A 50% deposit is required to hold the weekend. The deposit is refundable if you reschedule or cancel at least 30 days in advance. The balance is paid in full at the start of Part One.
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Credit cards are accepted
A travel fee would be added for "at your location" weekends
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Is this covered by insurance?
No, insurance doesn't pay for intensive couples counseling.​
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How do I get started with an intensive weekend?
The first step is to fill out the form below, or text/call Valinda at 360-831-2345 and let her know you are interested in a free phone consultation to assess your needs and get your questions answered.
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