Weekly Couples Therapy or a Three-Day Intensive: Which is Right for Us?

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Quiz Questions

1.
What does your day-to-day relationship look like right now?
- A.
  We keep having the same fight, no matter what we try
- B.
  Something big just happened and we need help fast
- C.
  We're doing okay but want to reset before things get harder
- D.
  One or both of us isn't sure we want to stay together
2.
How interested are each of you in couples therapy?
- A.
  We're both willing
- B.
  One of us is not sure, or much less excited than the other
- C.
  Only one of us is willing. My partner doesn't even want me taking this quiz
3.
What's your (or your partner's) experience with therapy or self-reflective work?
- A.
  We have experience with therapy or self-reflective work — individual, couples, or both
- B.
  We have some experience with individual work, but haven't done couples therapy specifically
- C.
  This would be brand new territory for both of us
4.
Is there anything currently going on that needs attention before any kind of couples work, weekly or intensive?
- A.
  No. We argue, feel disconnected, or don't feel fully heard by each other, but there's no violence or danger
- B.
  Maybe. I have been worried about my safety in this relationship
- C.
  Maybe. There is unmanaged alcohol or substance use taking up space in our relationship
- D.
  Maybe. There's an affair or major secret happening right now that hasn't been disclosed
5.
Could you both realistically clear 3 consecutive days together in the next few months, including arranging childcare, pet care, and time off work?
- A.
  Yes, we can make that work
- B.
  It depends on the timing
- C.
  Not really. Ongoing weekly sessions fit our life better right now
- D.
  I'm not even sure we could make time for a weekly appointment, let alone three days
6.
Best case scenario, what do you most want out of therapy?
- A.
  A breakthrough on the thing we keep circling
- B.
  Tools we can keep practicing over time
- C.
  Clarity on what's actually going on between us
- D.
  A final decision on what to do about a specific issue
- E.
  Getting support around something that hasn't stopped on its own - an affair, a substance issue, a pattern that doesn't feel safe, or something else.
7.
Where are you located, and what's realistic for you?
- A.
  I'm local to Southern California, and able to travel to Long Beach in person
- B.
  I'm not in California, but I'm open to traveling in person (arrangements can be made)
- C.
  I'd need or prefer virtual appointments
8.
How much of what's weighing on you right now is coming from outside the relationship - work, family, grief, health, or your own history?
- A.
  Not much. What's hard is really between the two of us.
- B.
  Some of it, but we mostly need to work on us.
- C.
  A lot. One or both of us is carrying something big of our own right now.

Quiz Outcomes

1.
Starting weekly couples therapy is your best bet
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Starting slower can actually work better for you, especially if this is new territory, or there's something more going on that is influencing your relationship. For some people, going straight into an intensive can feel more activating than helpful. A weekly pace gives you room to go at a rate that actually works.*Disclaimer: This quiz is not medical advice or a clinical assessment. It's a starting point. We still recommend consulting with a licensed professional to gather more information and make sure the recommendation actually fits your situation.
2.
Couples Therapy Three-Day Intensive looks like a strong fit.
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Maybe you've already tried to work through this on your own, or you're stuck in a pattern that keeps resurfacing no matter how hard you've tried. Maybe your motivation levels don't perfectly match right now, it's OK. That's more common than you think. Either way, it seems like you have a good amount of insight. What's probably missing is sustained, uninterrupted time to actually get through it instead of managing it week to week. That means three consecutive days together, in person here in Long Beach or somewhere closer to you. So it may take some planning around work and childcare, but the uninterrupted time is what makes it work.*Disclaimer: This quiz is not medical advice or a clinical assessment. It's a starting point. We still recommend consulting with a licensed professional to gather more information and make sure the recommendation actually fits your situation.
3.
Individual therapy may be the better starting point
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It's normal for motivation to look different between partners. But any kind of couples therapy, weekly or intensive, needs both people genuinely invested to work. It can't create willingness that isn't there yet. That doesn't mean nothing can happen right now, though: individual therapy is a meaningful place to start, and it can still improve the relationship, even when only one of you is in the room.*Disclaimer: This quiz is not medical advice or a clinical assessment. It's a starting point. We still recommend consulting with a licensed professional to gather more information and make sure the recommendation actually fits your situation.
4.
A better first step
It can be hard for couples therapy to get real traction in some situations, especially when there are parallel problems that need attention. That doesn't mean no help can happen right now, though. These resources may be a more helpful next step.National Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-799-7233, thehotline.orgPeace Over Violence (Los Angeles) — 213-626-3393, peaceoverviolence.orgSAMHSA National Helpline (substance use) — 1-800-662-4357 (1-800-662-HELP)If none of these feel like the right fit for your situation, email us directly at hello@prospecttherapy.com and our practice administrator will help you figure out the best next step.*Disclaimer: This quiz is not medical advice or a clinical assessment. It's a starting point. We still recommend consulting with a licensed professional to gather more information and make sure the recommendation actually fits your situation.