Intensive Couples Therapy in Galloway, NJ
More than a retreat - real therapy by licensed professionals, just minutes from the Jersey Shore.
Intensive Couples therapy
If you’ve been searching for a couples retreat in New Jersey, you might imagine a weekend away filled with relaxation, guided exercises, and temporary relief. While that can feel nice in the moment, many couples find themselves slipping back into the same patterns once they return home.
At A Better Life Therapy, our Galloway Intensive Couples Therapy is different. You’ll work directly with a licensed couples therapist using research-backed methods developed by our founder, Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT, author of The Clinician’s Guide to Intensive Couples Therapy. Unlike generic retreats, our approach is grounded in real therapy designed to create lasting breakthroughs.
Think of it as a “retreat with purpose” because you’ll leave not only feeling closer, but also equipped with new tools, insights, and direction.
What is Intensive Couples Therapy or “Marathon Couples Therapy”
Traditional weekly therapy offers progress one hour at a time.
Retreats often focus on feel-good bonding activities but aren’t clinical treatment.
Intensives combine the best of both: multiple hours of focused therapy in just one or two days, creating breakthroughs that usually take months to achieve.
Our intensives typically include 6–12 hours of therapy spread over one to three days, tailored to your relationship’s unique needs.
Marathon couples therapy, also known as intensive couples therapy, is a 2-3 day process in which couples therapist spends 5-6 hours a day with you. Marathon sessions are found to be highly effective as they allow couples to avoid the “start and stop” experience of weekly couples therapy and truly dig in (and out) of issues they are experiencing together.
During the session, the couple will spend a time having the relationship throughly assessed and significant time with a therapist to identify patterns and work to undo them. The goal of Marathon Couples Therapy is to help you develop insight and deeper understanding and build skills that you can utilize at home to improve your relationship.
At A Better Life Therapy, LLC we utilize Gottman Method Couples Therapy combined with Elizabeth Earnshaw’s intensive format. Gottman Method requires advanced training in couples therapy and is a highly researched format of couples therapy. Many couples comment that they prefer the Gottman Method due to the research backing and its structured style.
[Read more about Gottman Method]
Who Benefits From an Intensive?
Couples stuck in cycles of conflict who want a breakthrough.
Partners working through betrayal or trust issues.
Those considering separation who want clarity before making decisions.
Couples who feel distant but want to rebuild intimacy and connection.
Engaged or newly married couples preparing for a lifetime together.
What does a typical Intensive Couples Therapy weekend look like?
Marathon sessions are scheduled for either 2 days or 3 days, depending on your preference. Below is an example schedule for the weekend, however each Marathon weekend is tailored for the couple and might look different depending on needs and timing.
Sample 2 day Couples Therapy Weekend in New Hope, PA
A week before meeting
Each partner will receive The Gottman Relationhip Check-up Assessment. This assessment is incredibly thorough and will allow the therapist to better understand your experiences in the relationship, your perspectives, and your individual needs.
Saturday
9 AM: Welcome + Getting to know each other
9:10-10:30 - Exploring your relationship (current and past)
10:30-11:30 - One partner takes a break and can relax in our waiting room or explore beautiful New Hope by walking to get a coffee or snack. The other partner stays for 1:1 time with the therapist.
11:30-12:30 - The couple switches, allowing the other partner to have 1:1 time with the therapist.
12:30-1:30 - Break for lunch. The couple can go explore New Hope and have lunch together at one of the many restaurants while the therapist compiles a full assessment of the couple and recommendations.
1:30-2:30 - The therapist will provide detailed feedback about the strengths and challenges in the relationship and will share a roadmap for moving forward. Each couple will be able to hear how their assessment relates to The Gottman Sound Relationship House.
2:30-3:00- The couple either participates in an activity together or wrap up begins and “homework” is given.
Sunday
9 AM - Noon - Interventions begin. These interventions might include conversations that create better understanding or healing, neogtiation, or decision making.
Noon - 1 PM - Lunch in New Hope, PA
1PM - 3 PM - Interventions continue.
3 PM - Wrap up and homework provided for continued growth at home.
Who are the Intensive Couples Therapists?
Each therapist who provides Intensive Couples Therapy at our practice is trained in couples therapy/marriage counseling specifically as well as The Gottman Method. Each therapist also has their own specific specialties beyond couples’ therapy. For example, we have Intensive Therapists who are specialized in trauma, postpartum depression, affairs, substance use, high achieving couples, and medical family therapy.
Intensive Couples Therapists in Galloway, NJ
Deirdre Cosgrove, LMFT
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Deirdre brings over a decade of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through deep, relational work. She is passionate about helping clients overcome early childhood trauma, build self-worth, and heal together from betrayal or disconnection.
A trauma-informed therapist trained in Level 2 Gottman Method, EMDR, Perinatal Mental Health and more, Deirdre specializes in Intensive Couples Therapy, a powerful, focused approach that allows couples to make meaningful progress in just two to three days.
Based in our Galloway, NJ office—just minutes from the Jersey Shore—Deirdre offers both in-person and telehealth sessions across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Her serene, homey office (complete with ample parking and easy access) provides a supportive environment for transformative work
Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT, CGT
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ELIZABETH EARNSHAW is a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Gottman Therapist, and Clinical Fellow at The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Elizabeth wrote the book The Clinician’s Guide to Intensive Couples Therapy as well as I Want This To Work, Til Stress Do Us Part, and The Couples Therapy Flip Chart. She specializes in high stress couples, perinatal mental health, and trauma.
*Please note that because Elizabeth is not based out of the Galloway office and would require travel time, there is an added travel fee to work with her at this location.
Ready to Invest in Your Relationship?
A Galloway Intensive could be the turning point you’ve been looking for.
📍 Conveniently located in Galloway, NJ, near Atlantic City, Cape May, Brigantine, and other shore points.
Our Office in Galloway, NJ
Why Choose Galloway?
Our Galloway office offers the perfect setting for your relationship reset:
Peaceful and private location just minutes from the Jersey Shore.
Convenient access from Philadelphia, New York, and Atlantic City.
A balance of intensive therapeutic work and time to reconnect together — whether that’s walking the beach, enjoying a quiet dinner, or simply pausing from the daily grind.
Located near Sea View Golf Course, our Galloway office provides a calm, private, and supportive environment for couples seeking deep, transformative change. You’ll find us at:
📍 A Better Life Therapy in Galloway
634 E Lost Pine Way Rd, Galloway, NJ 08205
Easily accessible from all shore points, our office offers a peaceful retreat for intensive couples therapy. We’ve designed our space to be warm, inviting, and conducive to healing to ensure you feel comfortable and supported throughout your journey.
Parking
The Galloway office offers ample parking in an attached parking lot.
Why A Better Life Therapy?
With offices across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we’ve supported thousands of couples in navigating difficult seasons. Our Galloway team is highly trained in the leading methods of couples therapy and brings warmth, structure, and expertise to every intensive.
Unlike a generic retreat, you’ll be guided by a licensed professional who can hold space for the deepest challenges while helping you move forward with clarity and compassion.
Intensive Couples Therapists Based at Our Other Offices
We offer intensive couples therapy at each of our offices. To inquire about other offices please email info@abetterlifetherapy.com
ardmore, pennsylvania
Ariel Stern, LPC, CGT
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ARIEL STERN, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Gottman Method Couples Therapist, and the Clinical Director of the Ardmore office. Ariel trains interns and therapists to conduct couples’ therapy. Ariel has extensive experience working with couples who are struggling with substance use, parenting, and the postpartum period.
Lily Skoke, LPC
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LILY SKOKE, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a certification in Mindfulness Based Stress-Reduction and Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1-2). Lily works with couples experiencing difficulties with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship issues, stress management, trauma, or career and life transitions. She engages with her clients from a strengths-based perspective and takes a warm, direct, and individualized approach with each person.
Center City,philadelphia
Deepal Pandya, MA
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DEEPAL PANDYA, MA is a Pre-Licensed Professional Counselor. Deepal is trained in Level 1-2 in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. She works with couples who are struggling with issues such as trauma, addictive behaviors, anxiety, and depression.
Galloway, NJ (Jersey Shore)
Eman Almusawi, LMFT
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EMAN ALMUSAWI, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Clinical Fellow, and Master of Marriage and Family Therapy. Eman specializes in trauma, parenting, and affairs. She speaks English and Arabic. Eman is a Clinical Director at A Better Life Therapy, LLC
how to schedule a marathon couples therapy weekend
If you would like more information about marathon couples therapy works, cost, or weekend availability, please contact the office at info@abetterlifetherapy.com or 267-838-0066. We would love to have the opportunity to support you.
A Better life therapy, LLC
A Better Life Therapy, LLC was founded in 2013 in Center City, Philadelphia with the goal to provide top tier mental health services to people in the Philadelphia area. Our passion is creating a comfortable, warm, and caring space for you to come and navigate life’s challenges. We offer individual and couples therapy as well as career counseling, immigration evaluations, and weekend intensives. We also train therapists through our internship program.
A Better Life Therapy provides services in person and online.
In person, we provide services in Center City, Philadelphia, Fishtown, Philadelphia, Easton, PA, New Hope, PA, and Ardmore, PA. We also provide in person services in Galloway, New Jersey near The Jersey Shore.
Online services are provided across the states of:
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Utah